Drone video: Hurricane Milton cleanup in Boca Grande
Lee County DOT is clearing sand and different street hazards to make sure security and accessibility for residents returning after Hurricane Milton.
Provided by Lee County Government
The motion of Hurricane Milton cleanup in Boca Grande utilizing a drone video continues to progress.
This offers the latest info:
What is the situation of Sanibel's sewer system?
The sewer system on the island will not be presently functioning as a consequence of important harm to {the electrical} transmission strains. Although the sewer plant itself is operational with a backup generator, the distribution system depends on energy from LCEC, which is presently offline, as confirmed by officers throughout the convention on Friday.
Residents are strongly suggested to chorus from utilizing water of their houses or companies till energy is restored to stop sewage backups. This contains avoiding showering, flushing bathrooms, and utilizing home equipment like dishwashers and washing machines. Residents are advisable to make use of water sparingly for out of doors cleansing functions solely, filling buckets and disposing of the water exterior. The Island Water Association is actively monitoring water utilization and is shutting off providers to houses with important utilization peaks to preserve the restricted water provide.
The City is taking steps to amass extra pumps and turbines to activate the carry stations and pace up the removing of water from the system as soon as energy is back. Officials estimate that it'll take roughly two days to completely function the sewer system as soon as energy is restored.
When will electrical energy be restored to Sanibel?
LCEC has energized the Sanibel substation and is actively striving to revive energy to the island. Crews have performed aerial inspections and verified that the overhead infrastructure is in good situation. As of Friday afternoon, 14 overhead and 10 underground LCEC crews have been concerned within the restoration course of.
Although restoring energy is a prime precedence, the timeline for this stays unsure, in keeping with metropolis officers. They additional acknowledged that Sanibel will not be the one space impacted by the storm, and different areas could have extra urgent wants for electrical energy.
The island remains to be missing web entry.
Is the bridge accessible, and is there a nighttime restriction?
The Sanibel Causeway was made accessible to residents and enterprise proprietors at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, later extending to the general public. Currently, there isn't any requirement for passes for entry.
A curfew stays in impact from 9 p.m. on Friday till 6 a.m. on Saturday, till additional discover. Sanibel police are stationed on the causeway and patrolling the island to make sure security and safety.
Officials encourage people who would not have important causes to be on Sanibel to chorus from touring to the island, permitting crews to speed up cleanup and restoration efforts.
How a lot harm has been assessed up thus far?
Crews have been assessing harm and eradicating particles from roads since early Thursday morning. According to metropolis officers, the island confronted round 5 toes of storm surge, with the floodwaters receding.
No main structural harm has been reported to the town's bridges or the Sanibel Causeway. The Island Water Association additionally confirmed that there was no important harm to its water therapy plant or two of their three booster pump and storage tanks.
A section of Sanibel-Captiva Road close to Blind Pass Bridge has been broken, leading to visitors discount to at least one lane, as per officers. Lee County has agreed to help in repairing this particular portion of the street.
The metropolis's constructing and planning departments are performing harm assessments to find out the extent of the affect and adjust to FEMA reporting obligations. Residents are reminded to not interact in any repairs or enhancements to their properties with out acquiring the mandatory permits first.
Is there a requirement to boil water, and the place can residents entry free water and ice?
Due to low water strain, a precautionary boil water discover is in place for Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Residents ought to boil water for a minimum of one minute earlier than utilizing it for consumption or cooking.
F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva is distributing free ice and water to residents on the Community House beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Friday.
What is the plan for particles removing, and when will waste assortment recommence?
The metropolis plans to supply directions to residents on particles removing processes inside the subsequent 24 hours. In the interim, residents are requested to segregate particles into specified piles – building and demolition, vegetation, hazardous supplies, and home equipment – and await additional directives earlier than putting it on the curb. Debris assortment by the town's contractor may kick off as quickly as Wednesday, said Eric Jackson, Sanibel's Public Information Officer.
Waste Management will resume family trash assortment starting on Monday.
Residents ought to place their containers out on their regular assortment day. Recycling, yard waste, and hulking merchandise assortment are nonetheless on maintain.
Dealing with particles removing is the duty of condominium and business property house owners, who're cautioned in opposition to putting particles on the curb. These people are suggested to coordinate with a contractor or waste hauler to rearrange for a dumpster to be introduced in and brought away.
Is the recreation heart operational, and what's the standing of the shared use path?
The Sanibel Recreation Center is presently working on generator energy and is open for basic entry with out passes required, in keeping with officers. The Recreation Director, Patricia Phillips, will assess which providers may be supplied to the group till full energy is restored to the island.
Crews are persisting in clearing the shared use path on the island, though there are nonetheless standing water areas in sure sections, as per officers. The metropolis will prioritize clearing the roads first earlier than attending to the shared use path.
What is the forecast for restoration on Sanibel Island?
The City Hall is presently closed, with workers working remotely to ship providers and coordinate restoration endeavors. Residents can search help by contacting the principle switchboard at 239-472-3700.
City officers expressed optimism relating to the island's restoration course of, highlighting that the harm brought on by Hurricane Milton was notably much less extreme in comparison with Hurricane Ian in 2022. They confused the importance of group help and resilience in dealing with these challenges.
Thankfulness was conveyed to residents for following evacuation directives and for his or her endurance throughout the restoration part. First responders, utility employees, and all these contributing to the restoration of providers and group help have been additionally acknowledged.
This story was up to date to incorporate a video.
