Hurricane Info

I originally posted this page as hurricane MILTON was approaching to help local residents in case you have lost power to your computer, you can still get to this page on your cell phone.  If you have any suggestions of info or links to add, send me a message and I can add to it.  Now that the hurricane has blown through I am leaving these resources for future use.  Thanks – LenO

Collier County Links and Resources:

Wink Weather (best for local updates) | Mikes Weather Page | Weather.com | National Weather Service | Floridadisaster.org/ | Collier County Operations (252-8924 brings sand.)  | Wink News 2024 Hurricane Guide | What’s Open and Closed | Schools | List of Shelters | Sea Levels in FL | Storm Surge Inundation Map- (based on CAT4 change on page) | FPL Outage Tracker |

After The Storm

 10.10.24  –  Milton passed through SW Florida leaving widespread flooding across Naples the state. Several tornadoes touched down in Naples causing a lot of damage in addition to mass flooding close to the beach. North of Naples from Ft Myers beach up to Tampa really got hit hard.

Help Your Neighbors

This is a time to help your neighbors and family if you can. We have to stick together and assistance from FEMA may be a while if at all. Call or text to check on your family and friends. See if there is anything they need help with or something you can do. Send them to this page as well so they have this information too.

DeSantis is doing a phenomenal job, he is right on top of everything for Florida. If only our government would follow his lead with regard to how to respond in a disaster.

Wind Speeds

FEMA $750 Emergency Payment

There is a lot of talk about the government $750 payment. You have to fill out a form online to sign up which is silly since most have no power let alone internet! You will need to fill out a LOT of paperwork fomr FEMA to get approved, and they will not give you anything until AFTER you file a claim with your insurance company. Whether they decline the coverage or deny, FEMA still requires you submit this paperwork.  It should not be that difficult in a time like this. They offer the help but make is so difficult to jump through FEMA hoops to get it.

Anyway… here is an overview , see the link at the bottom of that page for more details.

BEFORE You Lose Power

If you lose power and do NOT have a generator you need to plan ahead. Charge ALL rechargeable devices like lamp, flashlights, battery packs etc. 

• Remember you can always recharge most of your devices including your cell in your car.
• Laptops will be good for a few hours but don’t count on that.
• Get a couple bags of ice and put in the freezer. or FREEZE gallon jugs of water. They will help keep your food cold and lasts  for hours.
• After you lose power you can move the frig items to the freezer with the ice, it will last longer.
• Before you lose power put all charged items, flashlights, extra batteries etc on your kitchen table so you are not searching for them in the dark.

Staying Cool with No Power

• If your AC is out it can get really uncomfortable at night. Battery operated fans are awesome to help you sleep.
• Also remember if you get too hot, go sit in your car and crank up the AC to cool off for a few minutes.

Cooking With No Power

• Before your power goes out it is a good idea to make soup or chili ahead of time, things that can be easily heated.
• Use a propane grill or camping stove if you have one.
• Pans over an open flame, use a cast iron skillet if you have one. (The flames will make your stainless pans black)

Evacuation Zones

Know what ZONE you are in! Evacuations are based on ZONES.  Here is an overview, full details below:

How Will i Know if I am Supposed to Evacuate?

Monitor local news and pay attention to alerts from authorities they will let you know. Evacuation zones are designated from A to F. Generally, Zone A is most vulnerable and most likely to be evacuated first, and Zone F is most likely to be evacuated last.

Take the time now to find out which zone you are in and remember to pay attention to local authorities during a storm to find out if an evacuation is ordered. Know your zone today by visiting https://floridadisaster.org/knowyourzone.

Know Your Elevation Level

• You can find out the elevation of your house here: Elevation Levels in FL.
• This is important relative the expected Storm Surge.
• For example, if you house is 4′ about sea level, and you get a 6′ storm surge, you may have 2′ of water in your home.

SAND Bags

If you are in Naples and needs sandbags there are 3 locations for free sand and bags. If you live in the Pine Ridge area you can go to 15000 Livingston at N Collier Regional Park. Collier County Operations is who actually brings the sand. You can call ahead to see when sand is being delivered at : 252-8924.

• N Collier Regional main number:  (252-4066) . Goes very fast and people are nuts about it. Call the number above before you go. Tons of  sand is gone in less than 1 hour see the pic below from Monday.
• Directions:  Take RIGHT on Livingston from Pine Ridge, you will see it  a few miles down on your right.
• NOTES: They have free bags but they go quickly so show up early. Also bring your own SQUARE shovel (not round) as they dump it in the parking lot. Keep your shovel with you as people will take it, as i saw on monday.
• 

Other locations for Sand Bags:

• Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park, 810 39th Ave. NE, Naples, FL 34120, by the pickleball courts.
• North Collier Regional Park, 15000 Livingston Road, Naples, FL 34109 / 239.252.4066
• Sun-N-Fun Lagoon parking lot and at Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Community Park, 11565 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL 34113, in the grassy area between the parking lots.

If You Cannot Get Sandbags

If you missed the free sandbags, dont freak out. Remember you live in Florida your whole yard is sand about a foot down. In a pinch, you could use doubled up hefty trash bags and fill them with sand from your back yard. Dig down past the grass and you will hit sand.

• After the storm passes you can empty the same sand back where it came from.
• No you cannot go to the beach and take sand, it is illegal they say.

A Note About Sandbags

• The most important placement of sandbags is your front door and all other doors that may get rising water.

Helpful Apps for your Phone.

When the power goes out your phone is your primary communication. These apps are very helpful download them ahead of time.

• WeatherBug (from the weather channel)
• Wink News App (great for all local info)
• Life 360 – a great app to know the location of your family members. Very nice to have in a situation like this.
• FEMA Mobile App
• Florida Alerts Based on Your Location

If You Lose Running Water How Do You Flush?

If you lose power and have no generator and have a well you will lose running water and will not be able to flush toilets. Gather some water NOW in empty 5 gal jugs or buckets, run water in the bathtub, or if you have a pool you can use that water.

• To flush a toilet using backup water , have an open top pitcher handy.
• Fill about 2/3 full and pour hard and fast right down the middle of the toilet.
• It should flush it down. You may need to try it a couple of times. Practice ahead of time.

Main Emergency Numbers

• Collier County Sherriff – 239.252.8444 / Hotline  call 311
• FPL Emergency Hotline – 800.468.8243
• Florida Hurricane Hotline – 800.342.3557  (24-7)

Emergency Numbers From 2024 Hurricane Guide

All Other Emergency Numbers:

Trees Around Your House

If you have trees that will be blow toward your house (based on the direction of the incoming hurricane) especially if they may hit your roof or windows, you may want to drop them if you can.

• If you have a chainsaw make sure it is full of gas and barchain oil. You may have a mess after the hurricane passes. Also make sure your chain is  sharp and ready to roll.
• If your chain is dull, Sunshine Ace will sharpen it for $6.
• If you run out of barchain oil, you can use regular straight 30w car oil as a backup NOT 10-30 etc has to be straight 30w! Also, this is NOT for the gas mixture that is different, just for the bar oil!
• If you do NOT have a chainsaw but you have a long pole pruner with a saw at the end use that to trim any low or loose branches before the wind comes.

This is is a courtesy of NaplesTech.com we hope you find it helpful. Stay Safe!