UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE CHANGES: the work search reporting, waiting week, and Employ Florida registration requirements for Reemployment Assistance claims have been temporarily waived for Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian in FEMA disaster-declared counties. By waiving these requirements, eligible Floridians will be able to quickly apply and receive reemployment assistance and disaster unemployment assistance benefits.
Additionally, Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to Florida businesses and residents in FEMA disaster-declared counties whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Ian and are not eligible for regular state or Federal Reemployment Assistance benefits.
SCAMS: Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis warns individuals and businesses looking to contribute to Hurricane Ian relief efforts to be cautious of imposter GoFundMe style crowdfunding websites and charity scams and encourages Floridians to donate to the Florida Disaster Fund. First Lady Casey DeSantis announced Thursday that within hours of activation, the Florida Disaster Fund received over $10 million in donations to support communities impacted by Hurricane Ian. To contribute, please visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222.
FEMA TIPS: Florida homeowners and renters in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Pinellas, Sarasota, and Seminole counties who were affected by Hurricane Ian may apply for FEMA disaster assistance.
Survivors can apply for disaster assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time, or by using the FEMA mobile app.
If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.
When you apply for assistance, have the following information ready:
• A current phone number where you can be contacted • Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying • Your Social Security number • A general list of damage and losses • Banking information if you choose direct deposit • If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name
Survivors may be eligible to receive assistance for uninsured and underinsured damage and losses resulting from the Hurricane Ian. If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.
Take photos to document damage and begin cleanup and repairs to prevent further damage. Remember to keep receipts from all purchases related to the cleanup and repair.
Disaster assistance may include financial help with temporary lodging and home repairs, as well as other disaster-related expenses.
For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to, click HERE. For information on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Ian, visit fema.gov/disaster/hurricane-ian. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.
Notice is given that all Locks on the Okeechobee Water Way and the Canaveral Harbor Lock are open for normal operation following Hurricane Ian.
Normal locking hours: Okeechobee Waterway Locks from 7 AM to 5 PM, Canaveral Harbor Lock 6 AM to 9:30 PM.
For up-to-date Lock information, contact the shift operator at:
Okeechobee Waterway Locks from 7 AM to 5 PM
St. Lucie Lock & Dam 772-287-2665
Port Mayaca Lock & Dam 561-924-2858
Moore Haven Lock & Dam 863-946-0414
Ortona Lock & Dam 863-675-0616
W.P. Franklin Lock & Dam 239-694-5451
Canaveral Harbor Lock 6 AM to 9:30 PM
Health and medical: Federal resources are being mobilized today in the community to support the healthcare system in Lee County. A Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) will be in place at Gulf Coast Medical Center to allow residents quicker access emergency services, such as overflow from the Emergency Room.
Anyone in the vicinity of Gulf Coast Medical Center should adhere to direction from officials on scene as the DMAT mobilizes.
Residents should continue to call 911 in the event of a life-threatening emergency. The DMAT is not open yet. Updates will be provided as they become available.
Transportation: Motorists should continue to limit all non-essential travel.
Lee DOT also is assessing the county’s more than 400 traffic signals. Motorists who approach intersections with non-working signals, drive as if it’s a four-way stop or obey any on-scene law enforcement officers.
Bridges continue to be assessed and evaluated. The following bridges are closed: Sanibel Causeway, three bridges in Matlacha, New Pass, Big Carlos Pass Bridge and Big Hickory Pass Bridge.
Utilities: Some customers of Lee County Utilities who have been without water will begin seeing service resume over the next few days. Water pressure likely will drop off periodically as repairs are made and generators are serviced. A Boil Water Notice remains in effect for all customers of Lee County Utilities as well as other utilities serving Lee County. Customers of some utilities – such as FGUA in Lehigh and Bonita Springs Utilities – no longer have to boil water. Check with your utility to determine your status – but if you do not know, continue to boil as a precaution.
Please continue to conserve water and limit use as service returns. Limit washing-machine and dishwasher use; avoid washing vehicles. Do not open manholes or sewer cleanouts to drain streets or yards.
Island evacuee transport today (10/01): Pine Island: Evacuees who arrive by private boat on the east side of Matlacha can go to D&D Matlacha Bait & Tackle, 3922 Pine Island Road NW to get a ride to a shelter.
Sanibel: The U.S. Coast Guard has organized a water-borne operation to help Sanibel residents evacuate from the island to the mainland to assist efforts of the Sanibel Police and Fire & Rescue. The boat departs from Sanibel Boat Ramp, near the Causeway, approximately every 90 minutes to two hours today. A bus will transport passengers to Lee County shelters.
The United Way and the Collaboratory have created an easy-to-use portal for donations. Monetary donations are more helpful at this time. Visit www.leegov.com/storm and click on the red “Donate” button to contribute to the SWFL Emergency Relief Fund. 100% of funds support nonprofits helping people affected by Hurricane Ian.
Lee County has announced that county offices will remained closed Monday, Oct. 3, and remain closed pending further notice. Lee County employees remain engaged in recovery efforts.
Getting help for family and friends
Distant friends and family can use the Emergency Service Request Form from the Florida Division of Emergency Management to request help for loved ones they have lost contact with following Hurricane Ian. Local residents can also use the form to ask for help.
Go to https://missing.fl.gov/es for the form.
Free food and water: Lee County – along with state and federal partners – will begin opening Points of Distribution (PODs) today for hurricane-impacted residents who need food and water.
The county is coordinating the initial opening of eight PODs throughout the county. Announcements will be made with location information as more PODs are mobilized and opened as supplies become available.
Hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
As PODs open, the county will use its media partners, its Emergency Alert System (which reaches residents’ phones), its website and social media to inform the public of the POD locations. Check www.leegov.com for POD updates or follow @Lee County Government on Facebook,
www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc Lee County consolidates shelter operations; space remains for residents in need
Lee County is consolidating its shelter operations as the shelter population shifts during recovery efforts. The remaining shelters still have space for people in need.
The shelters remaining open are:
The residents staying in the following shelters will be relocated to other shelters:
Evacuees will have the option of moving to another shelter using their own vehicles or LeeTran. LeeTran vehicles will be taking evacuees to any of the open shelters of their choice.
Check www.leegov.com for Hurricane Ian updates. Follow @Lee County Government on Facebook,
BONITA SPRINGS: Bonita Springs Utilities, Inc. has maintained water service during and after Hurricane Ian throughout our service area, with the exception of Bonita Beach including Little Hickory Island, Big Hickory Island, and Black Island and the area west of Imperial Shores Blvd along Bonita Beach Road. These areas remain without water service at this time. All other portions of the service areas have water service available and are not under a boil water notice. FP&L has restored power to BSU’s two water plants and back-up generator power is no longer required. BSU’s two wastewater plants continue to rely on back-up generator power. We continue to request that our members conserve water. This is necessary as many of our wastewater lift stations remain without power and it will take time to pump down stations and send flow to the treatment plants.
If you have any questions, please contact Andy Koebel, Director of Operations, Bonita Springs Utilities, Inc. at (239) 992-0711.
SANIBEL: Access to Sanibel Island by boat is NOT PERMITTED. There is a 24-hour curfew in effect in Lee County and this curfew applies to Sanibel Island.
First responders are conducting a search and rescue operation and individuals attempting to access the island are interfering with these life-saving actions.
Phone information A new number has been established for contacting the City of Sanibel. For reporting well-being checks or to volunteer resources, services, etc., please call (239) 603-7261.
If you have access to email, please send an email as follows:
If you are aware of an individual(s) who remained on island during Hurricane Ian and you need report a well-being check, please send an email to wellcheck@mysanibel.com and provide your name and number as well as the following information:
If you have resources such as boats, equipment, services, skills, etc., and would like to volunteer, please send an email to volunteer@mysanibel.com and provide the following information:
Island mapping/Post-storm Aerial Imagery of Sanibel Now Available Island-wide aerial imagery from NOAA:
https://storms.ngs.noaa.gov/storms/ian/index.html?fbclid=IwAR1YYHcv7QQuemXps7Oih_N1vsjzTp20vs4_Y-BMUeUtj8SmH6Xue9_b1Jk#12/26.4312/-82.0816
Helicopter footage of Lee County coastal areas including Sanibel & Captiva. South Seas Plantation can be seen at approximately 16:00 minutes and then the footage continues south to Sanibel and the Causeway.
https://www.facebook.com/WPLGLocal10/videos/1131909620765059
MARCO ISLAND SOLID WASTE AND DEBRIS REMOVAL INFORMATION: Waste Management will resume garbage and recycling collections on Monday, October 3, 2022. The City contracts with Ashbritt to pick up hurricane debris. A survey of all the debris will be done on Monday, October 3rd .
The pick-up date will be determined after the survey is completed. All debris must be sorted into categories:
• VEGETATIVE DEBRIS: All residents should place vegetative debris in a SEPARATE pile along the curb within the Right-of-Way, and not in the roadway.
DO NOT stack debris below overhead wires. Low hanging power lines and communication lines pose threats to the trucks/equipment that will be collecting debris.
DO NOT stack debris around fire hydrants, communication pedestals (Comcast and Century Link boxes, etc.), mailboxes, water meter boxes, or any other object that could be damaged by heavy equipment collecting debris.
DO NOT mix storm debris. Please keep vegetative piles separate from all other debris that may be placed in the Right-of-Way.
DO NOT place vegetative debris in plastic bags or any other containers. (All debris should be stacked in “loose” piles along the Right-of-Way)
• CONSTRUCTION & DEMOLITION DEBRIS (C&D): All residents should place construction & demolition (C&D) debris in a SEPARATE pile along the curb within the Right-of-Way, and not in the roadway. DO NOT mix storm debris. Please keep C&D debris piles separate from all other debris that may be placed within the Right-of-Way. DO NOT mix household garbage with C&D debris.
DO NOT include materials that can be considered hazardous within these piles.
• HAZARDOUS WASTE: Items such as propane tanks, paint, oils, lubricants, etc. should be in a separate pile.
• APPLIANCES & WHITE GOODS (REFRIGERATORS, DISHWASHERS, ETC.): All residents should place appliances and white goods in a SEPARATE pile along the curb within the Right-of-Way, and not in the roadway. DO NOT mix storm debris. Please keep appliances separate from all other debris that may be placed within the Right-of-Way. PLEASE remove all contents from appliances before placing in the Right-of-Way. Spoiled food items should be bagged and placed out for regular garbage collection.
• ELECTRONIC WASTE: Computers, radios, and television sets should be placed in a separate pile from appliances.
• COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS: Please DO NOT place any horticulture debris, C&D material, or white goods within commercial front load dumpsters. ALL storm related debris should be placed in the right-of-way as requested above.
FOOD AND WATER: Charlotte County has two food and water distribution centers opened:
Charlotte County Administration Center in Murdock is not a distribution center.
Debris collection: Recovery efforts are underway in response to Hurricane Ian in Charlotte County. Clearing and removing disaster debris is a major part of the recovery effort. Charlotte County Public Works asks for the resident’s cooperation to properly separate your storm debris by category and adhere to the recycling program guidelines.
It is the home and business owner’s responsibility to bring the debris to the curb and to properly separate it. Your cooperation will make this debris removal operation proceed smoothly and ensure that the community recovers as quickly as possible.
Residents should separate disaster debris into these six categories and place piles in the public right-of-way, off the road and not on private property:
Please do not attempt to place garbage or other household refuse with the disaster debris, as it will not be accepted, and will delay your storm debris collections.
Traffic Intersections: Any intersection without working traffic signals should be treated as a four way stop. Driving through an intersection without stopping is very dangerous.
If the traffic lights are working, obey the signal.
For Hurricane Ian information, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-743-1320 or 941-833-4000.
Follow Charlotte County Emergency Management’s important emergency information at www.charlottecountyfl.gov/em, www.facebook.com/oemcharlottecounty, and www.twitter.com/ccoem.
BARRIER ISLANDS: Charlotte County emergency services are not being provided on barrier islands at this time. Fire & EMS and Sheriff’s Office personnel are not on the island and will not be deployed for emergencies.
PEACE RIVER BRIDGE: The U.S. 41 bridges over the Peace River will be closed in both directions as of 3 p.m. All U.S. 41 lanes north- and southbound will be closed from Kings Highway to Marion Avenue.
The closure is a precautionary measure due to potentially dangerous conditions.
Southbound traffic will be rerouted to Kings Highway or Parmely Street. Northbound traffic will be rerouted to Marion Avenue or Olympia Avenue. Motorists should use Interstate 75 as an alternate route before reaching the closed intersections to relieve congestion.
Law enforcement will be on scene to direct traffic.
Charlotte County Utilities Water Service Information/Boil Water Notices: Collier County Public Utilities has lifted the precautionary boil/disinfection water notice for customers in Isles of Capri, Goodland and all areas West of US 41 from North of Seagate Drive to South of Bonita Beach Road with the following exceptions: The boil water notice is still in effect for Gulf Shore Drive and The Strand at Bay Colony (single family area).
Residents may check the current status of boil water notices on the Water Outage and Boil Water map at colliercountyfl.gov/boilwatermap.
Residents with questions about their water service may call Customer Service at 239-252-2380 or the Collier Information Hotline by dialing 311 within Collier County or 239-252-8444. Information can also be found at www.colliercountyfl.gov and social media channels including www.facebook.com/CollierGov and www.twitter.com/CollierGov.
When to Use Disinfected Water:
Drinking - Drinking water should be disinfected before use by any humans or animals. Water from your refrigerator dispenser will also need disinfected. Any ice in your ice-maker should be thrown away and no new ice made from your refrigerator should be used during the advisory. If you make ice in a tray, disinfect the water first.
Cooking - Any water to be used in cooking should be disinfected prior to use. Disinfected water should also be used to wash any food, such as fruits and vegetables. Baby formula should be prepared using disinfected water. Ensure your hands have been cleaned with disinfected water before handling any food.
Cleaning - Dishes can be hand-cleaned using tap water if they are rinsed afterwards for one minute in a bleach solution made from one tablespoon of bleach per gallon of tap water. Dishes should then be left to air dry. It is safe to wash clothes in tap water.
Personal Hygiene - General hand-washing can be done with tap water and soap; however, if you will be in contact with food use disinfected water to prevent any contamination to prepared food. If you have any open cuts, wounds, or sores, disinfected water should be used when cleaning the afflicted area. Individuals who have had recent surgery, chronic illness or are immunosuppressed may want to use disinfected water for any personal hygiene to ensure health. While tap water is safe for bathing and showering, care should be taken not to allow water in the eyes, nose or mouth to prevent pathogens from entering your body. Children and disabled individuals should be supervised when bathing to ensure no water is ingested. Disinfected water should be used for brushing teeth. Tap water is safe for shaving, as long as care is taken to prevent water from entering the eyes, nose, mouth or shaving cuts.
For Hurricane Ian information, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000 or 941-743-1320.
Media and public can follow Charlotte County Emergency Management important emergency information at www.charlottecountyfl.gov, www.facebook.com/oemcharlottecounty, and www.twitter.com/ccoem. Charlotte County Utilities Water Service Information
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (Sept. 30, 2022) – The Charlotte County Utilities Department is aware of water service outages throughout the county, including west county and the burnt store area. We are working on restoring water throughout the county as quickly as possible.
As a reminder for those residents who have water, please limit your usage, and you are currently under a boil water notice until further notice.
When to Use Disinfected Water:
Drinking - Drinking water should be disinfected before use by any humans or animals. Water from your refrigerator dispenser will also need disinfected. Any ice in your ice-maker should be thrown away and no new ice made from your refrigerator should be used during the advisory. If you make ice in a tray, disinfect the water first.
Cooking - Any water to be used in cooking should be disinfected prior to use. Disinfected water should also be used to wash any food, such as fruits and vegetables. Baby formula should be prepared using disinfected water. Ensure your hands have been cleaned with disinfected water before handling any food.
Cleaning - Dishes can be hand-cleaned using tap water if they are rinsed afterwards for one minute in a bleach solution made from one tablespoon of bleach per gallon of tap water. Dishes should then be left to air dry. It is safe to wash clothes in tap water.
Personal Hygiene - General hand-washing can be done with tap water and soap; however, if you will be in contact with food use disinfected water to prevent any contamination to prepared food. If you have any open cuts, wounds, or sores, disinfected water should be used when cleaning the afflicted area. Individuals who have had recent surgery, chronic illness or are immunosuppressed may want to use disinfected water for any personal hygiene to ensure health. While tap water is safe for bathing and showering, care should be taken not to allow water in the eyes, nose or mouth to prevent pathogens from entering your body. Children and disabled individuals should be supervised when bathing to ensure no water is ingested. Disinfected water should be used for brushing teeth. Tap water is safe for shaving, as long as care is taken to prevent water from entering the eyes, nose, mouth or shaving cuts.
For Hurricane Ian information, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000 or 941-743-1320.
Media and public can follow Charlotte County Emergency Management important emergency information at www.charlottecountyfl.gov, www.facebook.com/oemcharlottecounty, and www.twitter.com/ccoem.
Food/water distribution: A food and water distribution site is open at the Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Road, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Additional distribution sites will be opening as recovery efforts continue.
For Hurricane Ian information, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-5600 or 941-743-1320.
Keep WGCU tuned in at 90.1FM in Fort Myers, Naples and Port Charlotte and 91.7FM Marco Island.
Reunification Assistance: If you need help connecting with your loved ones after Hurricane Ian, the American Red Cross can assist you. The Reunification Plan tools can help if assistance is needed locating a missing friend or relative because of a current disaster.
Call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and provide as much detail as you can to assist us in potentially locating your missing loved one. Alternatively, you can submit your information via forms (English and Spanish available) found online at COADFL.org
A point of distribution for food, water and ice will open at NOON TODAY at South Florida State College in Avon Park! 600 W. College Drive
Traffic will need to turn onto College Drive from U.S. 27 and follow all traffic control devices and flagmen through the POD, then exit back out onto College Drive.
Two more sites are planned with locations to be announced when they are ready.
DEBRIS: Debris hauling is set to begin on Monday, Oct. 3, giving all residents time to get their debris to the right-of-way before trucks are in your neighborhood.
Do not place debris in roadways or close to permanent objects like trees, mailboxes, storm drains, and power lines. The trucks will be going road by road. Large claw trucks, like the one pictured, cannot move through narrow roads or navigate around other objects.
About 30 hurricane debris removal haulers are now rolling into Highlands County. All drivers must be certified for FEMA before they can pick up your hurricane debris.
Hurricane debris is not collected by our local hauler. If you mix your hurricane debris with your regular garbage, your household garbage or yard and bulk waste will not be picked up!
Wastewater System Repairs Continue: Manatee County residents and visitors are still being asked to “refrain from the drain” to limit wastewater system impacts.
205 of the county’s 738 lift stations (which move sewage from a lower-to-higher elevation facilities to wastewater treatment plants) were offline or without power as of 8 a.m. today (Friday).
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