The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins on June 1 and ends on November 30. The National Hurricane Center will begin issuing regular Tropical Weather Outlooks on May 15, two weeks earlier than in previous years.

Preparations for the rainy season occur throughout the year, as the city devotes more than $4 million to maintaining public rights-of-way and stormwater management programs in coordination with the South Florida Water Management District, Lee County and the Florida Department of Natural Resources. The city doubled its alternative power sources since Hurricane Irma.

City crews routinely check outfalls to ensure proper water handling. All major outfalls have been checked and are functioning as normal. FDOT has finished dredging and cleaning Winkler Canal to ensure free flow of water.

Homeowner associations and privately maintained stormwater systems are urged to check and clean outfalls. To prevent potential flooding during the rainy season and in anticipation of storms, residents and businesses can assist by clearing trash and horticultural debris away from street drains that may become clogged.

The city's Central and South Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facilities have undergone a $45M refurbishment of equipment, including 40 miles of underground wiring, installation of new, state-of-the-art electrical switchgear and four new industrial generators (two at each plant, consisting of one primary and one backup generator, with corresponding 12,000 gallon fuel tanks at each plant) contributing to improved reliability and handling capacity at both plants. All of these improvements help the city manage infiltration and inflow resulting from high intensity and extended duration storms.

Emergencies dial - 911

American Red Cross (local chapter) - 239-278-3401

City of Fort Myers - City Hall - 239-321-7000

Downed/sparking lines - 1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243), FPL. Never touch downed or sparking lines.

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA - 1-800-621-3362 (telephone) 1-800-462-7585 (TTY)

Florida Division of Emergency Management - 1-850-413-9969

Fort Myers Fire Department, non-emergency - 239-321-7311

Fort Myers Police Department, non-emergency - 239-321-7700

Gas Leaks/Emergencies - (877) 832-6747, Teco Gas. You cannot report gas leaks or emergencies online.

Lee County Emergency Management - 239-533-0622

Lee County Special Needs Program - 239-533-0640

Lee County Storm Hotline - 211

Lee County Domestic Animal Services - 239-533-7387

Public Works Utilities After Hours Emergency - 239-321-8100

Report an Outage - https://www.fpl.com/my-account/web-outage.html or 1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243)

Salvation Army - 239-278-1551

Traffic Conditions in Florida - 511

United Way of Lee County - 239-433-2000 or 211

To Inquire About General Hurricane Recovery and Preparation Information

Call or leave a message at Lee County Emergency Management, (239)-533-0622 or dial 211 to reach the Lee County Storm Hotline.

Utilities/Electricity

Downed/sparking lines - 1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243), FPL. Never touch downed or sparking lines.

Gas Leaks/Emergencies - (877) 832-6747, Teco Gas. You cannot report gas leaks or emergencies online.

Report an Outage - https://www.fpl.com/my-account/web-outage.html or 1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243)

Public Works Utilities After Hours Emergency - 239-321-8100

Hurricane Preparedness Information

What may we expect in Fort Myers

Hurricane - A Tropical storm becomes a Hurricane when sustained winds reach 74 Mph or greater. Even a Tropical storm with winds less then 74 Mph can cause damage similar to a Category 1 Hurricane. Planning and preparation should always take place for the next higher category of storm. This action is taken because hurricanes can and have strengthened just prior to landfall.

Important Points

Storms do not often act in a completely predictable manner. A storm may increase in forward speed, greatly reducing preparation time. Also, storms can increase in intensity rapidly, occasionally this may occur just prior to making landfall. Typically, Emergency Management will base decisions on the next higher category of storm.

Fort Myers does not have to sustain a direct hit from a hurricane to cause extensive damage and disruption of services. A Tropical Storm with sustained winds of 50 mph or a hurricane making landfall 75-100 miles south or 50-75 miles to the north can have serious consequences.

Hurricanes can be dangerous killers. Learning the hurricane warning messages and planning ahead can reduce the chances of injury or major property damage.

Be prepared to be self sufficient for at least three days (water, food, and other supplies). It may take at least that long for outside emergency workers to provide aid to you after a major hurricane. Power may be interrupted for weeks.

Hurricane Hazard Potential

The four main hazards associated with Hurricanes are storm surge, high winds, tornadoes, and extreme amounts of rainfall.

Hurricane Damage Potential Scale:

The National Weather Service uses the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale which is a 1-5 categorization based on the hurricane's intensity at the indicated time.

Supplies and preparations

• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• Emergency food and water
• First aid kit and manual
• Non -electric can opener
• Essential medicines
• Cash and credit cards
• Sturdy shoes
• Make arrangements for pets. Pets are not allowed in emergency shelters for health and space reasons. Contact the Charleston Animal Shelter for more information.
• Make sure that all family members know how to respond after a hurricane.
• Teach family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water.
• Protect your windows.
• Permanent shutters are the best protection. A lower-cost approach is to put up plywood panels. Use 5/8 inch exterior-grade plywood, marine plywood is best, cut to fit each window or door, include a 4 inch overlap on each side. Lag bolts should penetrate the wall and frame surrounding at least 1 ¾ - 2 ½ inches. Remember to mark which board fits which window. Pre-drill holes every 12 inches for screws and place 4 holes in the center for pressure equalization. Do this long before the storm.
• Trim back dead or weak branches from trees.
• Pick-up, store indoors, or secure any item in the yard that can become an airborne missile.
• Check into flood insurance. You can find out about the National Flood Insurance Program through your local insurance agent or emergency management office. There is normally a 30-day waiting period before a new policy becomes effective. Homeowner polices do not cover damage from flooding that accompanies a hurricane.
• Develop an emergency communication plan. In case family members are separated from one another during a disaster (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back together. Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.

WHEN A HURRICANE WATCH IS ISSUED

Listen to radio or television for hurricane progress reports. Have a battery–operated radio or television as a backup when the power goes off.

• Check emergency supplies.
• Fuel car.
• Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys, and garden tools and anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.
• Secure buildings by closing and boarding up windows. Remove outside antennas.
• Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings. Open only when absolutely necessary and close quickly.
• Store drinking water in clean bathtubs, washing machine, jugs, bottles, and cooking pots.
• Review evacuation plan.
• Moor boat securely or move it to a designated safe place. Use rope or chain to secure boat to trailer. Use tiedowns to anchor trailer to the ground or house.

DURING A HURRICANE WARNING

Listen constantly to LOCAL radio or television for official instructions. Remember, cable television stations may not have information about the storm. Have a battery-operated radio or television with spare batteries.

If in a mobile home or manufactured home, check tie downs and evacuate immediately. Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container on the highest level of your home. If evacuating, take important papers with you.

For more information: View the City of Fort Myers Hurricane Survival Guide.