Hurricane Ian October 12th Advisory # 14

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Debris Pick-up

Debris removal is underway. There will be multiple passes. Storm debris is collected separately from household garbage. Storm debris assessment is already underway throughout the city. The map above has been updated to show residents the debris pick up progress.

  • Most Important – Please set storm debris at the curb away from your normal household trash and recycling; it will be collected and documented separately.
  • Place storm debris at the curb in three separate piles: garbage, yard waste and building debris. Federal Emergency Management Agency rules require documentation of the volume and type of debris collected to reimburse the county for storm cleanup.
  • Garbage must be placed in a 40-gallon can or heavy mil plastic bag each weighing no more than 50 pounds. If you have a larger county-provided container for automated garbage collection, you may use that as well.
  • Yard waste does not need to be bundled after the storm. Place it in piles that can easily be managed by collection personnel with a claw truck.
  • To expedite collection, do not place anything beneath low-hanging obstacles like trees or power lines or near things like fire hydrants or mailboxes.
  • Food must be removed from any appliance set at the curb. Inedible food should be placed with the garbage.

For private or gated communities- FEMA regulations require that private or gated communities have a current Right of Entry and Indemnification form on file with the City of Bonita Springs before any disaster debris recovery crews are allowed to enter the community. Visit: www.cityofbonitasprings.org to download the form, then email the form to public works at PublicWorksGroup@cityofbonitasprings.org. If you are unsure if your community has a current Right of Entry form on file, please have your community association manager or home-owner association president email public works at PublicWorksGroup@cityofbonitasprings.org .

Storm recovery status is updated on the city website www.cityofbonitasprings.org. Regular updates can also be found at the City of Bonita Springs Facebook page.

Disaster Recovery Centers

There are ten Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) open to provide resources & information about recovery programs & disaster assistance to #Ian survivors.

Centers are open 7 days a week. Please note times based on location.

For info & DRC openings – FloridaDisaster.org/Info

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Lee County closing existing inland food and water Points of Distribution

Lee County is closing the remaining food and water Points of Distribution (PODs) as water and power are restored, businesses reopen, and nonprofits reopen, making additional food and meals available.

The county will close PODS at 5 p.m. today at the following locations:

• Old Bonita Library, 26876 Pine Ave, Bonita Springs

• Cape Coral Leonard Street, 4820 Leonard St, Cape Coral

• Estero High School Ballfield Park, 9100 Williams Road, Estero

• North Fort Myers Recreation Center, 2000 N. Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers

• Fleamasters Fleamarket, 4135 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Fort Myers

• Veterans Park Recreation Center, 55 Homestead Road S, Lehigh Acres

PODs for food and water are typically established for five to seven days immediately following a disaster, such as a hurricane, to provide needed support to residents as stores and utilities are widely unavailable. Food and water PODs first opened in Lee County on Oct. 1.

The county will continue to work with its state and federal partners as well as its strong network of nonprofit organizations in our island communities to provide continued food and water supplies for residents as follows:

• Fort Myers Beach – adjacent to Town Hall, 2525 Estero Blvd.

• Pine Island – Beacon of Hope Church, 5090 Doug Taylor Cir, St James City

• Sanibel Island –

o Sanibel Elementary School, 3840 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel

o Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

Residents are encouraged to contact United Way at 2-1-1 or 239-433-3900 to be connected with resources. Hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Check www.leegov.com/storm for a list of food and water resources or follow @Lee County Government on Facebook, www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc.

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) is hosting community outreach clinics offering Tdap and Flu vaccines.

The Tdap vaccine is critical to preventing Tetanus, especially for those who may have sustained cuts, scratches, or wounds from cleaning up debris after the hurricane and those whose last booster was 10 or more years ago.

Both Tdap and Flu vaccines will be available at no cost on a first come, first served basis during the following outreach events.

Tuesday, October 11

Pine Manor Community, 5547 10th Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33907

From 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 12

All Souls Episcopal Church, 14640 North Cleveland Avenue, North Fort Myers, FL 33903

From 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Thursday, October 13

Suncoast Community Center, 2241 Case Lane, North Fort Myers, FL 33917

From 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Friday, October 14

Café of Life, 26724 Nomad Drive Bonita Springs, FL 34135

From 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Tdap can be administered to individuals 11 years of age and older. Pregnant individuals may receive Tdap during their 27-36th week of pregnancy if they have not already received a dose during the current pregnancy.

Flu vaccine is recommended for anyone aged 6 months to 64 years. Individuals 65 years of age or older should consult with their PCP for a high dose flu shot for optimal protection. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Small Business Disaster Loans

Gov. Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $50 million available with at least $10 million going to small businesses that are agricultural producers impacted by Hurricane Ian in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia counties. Small businesses in the most impacted counties — Charlotte, Collier, Lee and Sarasota — will be escalated and prioritized as they are received. The program, administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, provides short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to Hurricane Ian. Interested applicants can apply through Dec. 2 or until all available funds are expended. Eligible small businesses may apply for loans of up to $50,000 through the program by clicking here.

Operation Blue Roof

Operation Blue Roof by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is a free program for homeowners whose roofs were compromised by Hurricane Ian. This program provides a temporary fix so families can continue to reside in their homes. The deadline for registration is October 23. Apply or find more information by visiting their website at Blueroof.us or calling toll free at 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258).

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For more information about Hurricane Ian and the resources available, please visit the Lee County Hurricane Ian Storm Updates Page as well as their After the Storm page.