Hurricane readiness seminar attendees taught what do before, during, after a storm

A tumultuous couple of years helped triple the attendance at Lee County’s yearly public seminar on hurricane readiness in Bonita Springs.

“We’ve tried to make preparations, but I feel that you can never be too prepared,” Estero resident Joe Reynolds said. “You can never know too much; you can never be too careful.”

More than 70 people came to the First Presbyterian Church on Bonita Beach Road to hear the Lee County Emergency Management presentation on what to do before, during and after a hurricane. For the same event last year, only 23 people attended.

“People are more aware of the dangers now,” said Terry Kelley, county emergency management coordinator. “Preparation is the No. 1 thing.”

The American Red Cross outlined the four-pronged plan for hurricane preparation:

-- get informed on the storm;

-- make a plan, especially where to meet and contact family members;

-- have a 72-hour kit of water, food, medications and other necessities;

-- and review the plan regularly.

The Florida Department of Financial Services also advised attendees to keep their insurance information updated and readily available and have an inventory of all the valuables in their home.

Before and after a disaster, homeowners need to be on the lookout for scam artists who offer fixes for a much cheaper rate than area contractors. They will either do shoddy work or try to steal the victim’s money.

“Make sure you are dealing with a licensed contractor,” said Terrance Cerullo, Florida consumer outreach coordinator.

The three natural risks in a strong storm are high winds, storm surge and fresh-water flooding. Before a hurricane strikes, it is important to listen and watch for evacuation orders.

“If you do leave, leave early,” Kelley said. “There are only so many ways out of here.”

As the hurricanes get stronger, emergency management opens up fewer shelters because only a handful of structures in Lee County can withstand the high-intensity weather.

“You finally do have a shelter here in Bonita Springs — the YMCA,” Kelley said.

More lives are lost in the aftermath of a hurricane than during it, he said. The top cause is improperly used generators. With more people buying generators in preparation for hurricanes, it is important that everyone read the manual to figure out the do’s and don’ts.

“You better read those manuals because carbon monoxide kills,” Kelley said. “Generators have killed more people down here than hurricanes have.”