About 50 Cape Coral residents attended a hurricane seminar at the Cape Coral Yacht Club on July 13 to learn more about how to prepare for the powerful storms.
The seminar was sponsored by television station WINK and Jim Farrell, its chief meteorologist. Representatives from Cape Coral Fire Department, Lee County Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Financial Services were on hand to educate the crowd about hurricane preparedness.
"The turnout was very good - essentially had a capacity crowd," Farrell said. "I would guesstimate about 80 percent are brand new residents to Southwest Florida."
Marge Nation, a new Cape Coral resident, said she is now more aware of the dangers.
"We did not have shutters so we're getting shutters, getting our documents together," Nation said. "And most important is the pets."
Farrell led the seminar, talking about hurricanes from a meteorological perspective. After residents learned about the storms they learned how to better prepare for them.
Thomas Tomich, division chief of operations for the Cape Coral Fire Department, told the audience the fire department's objective is to make every effort to be a first responder but that it's also important for residents to be prepared.
"Shelter from wind and run from water," Tomich advised.
He said to look at the garage door, which can be sucked in or blown out during a hurricane. After the garage door is gone it is more likely the roof will be damaged.
After discussions on wind
damage, Gerald Campbell, chief of planning for Lee County Emergency Operations Center, spoke about evacuations. Campbell stressed the importance of leaving if an evacuation order is given.
"To ignore an evacuation because you think you know more than us, you're gambling your life," Campbell said.
"You need to have a plan," he said.
Emphasis was placed on the new evacuation map, which was recently updated. Instead of having colors related to hurricane strength, the new map features evacuation zones from A to E. Cape Coral has zones A, B and C. Knowing your zone will be crucial if that letter is asked to evacuate prior to a storm.
"I was just concerned," said Lois Proko, a northwest Cape resident. "When they tell you you should evacuate, you should heed that warning."
Proko said she had thoughts of riding out a potential storm but now will evacuate when asked. She lives in Zone A, the first to evacuate in a storm.
Around 50 people were at the session to hear the message that they should heed the evacuation orders if one is given prior to a storm, but Campbell said the entire population of Cape Coral needs to hear it as well.
"If we ask you to leave then please leave. Your life is in danger," he said.
The Season So Far
The 2011 hurricane season forecast
2011 hurricane forecast, according to the National Weather Service.
- 12 to 18 named storms
- Six to 10 hurricanes
- Three to six major hurricanes
The 2011 season so far has had one named storm, Tropical Storm Arlene. Hurricane season started June 1 and ends Nov. 30. The busiest time of hurricane season is August through October, with maximum activity in early to mid September, according to the National Weather Service.
For More Information
For more information on hurricane preparedness or to get the 2011 Hurricane Preparedness guide visit news-press.com/hurricane.
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