City of Bonita Springs Flooding Update #3

Resources for Bonita Springs residents in need:
The 211 Help Line is now up and running for people who have questions or need information related to the recent rainfall and standing-water event. To access the Help Line, dial 211 or 239-433-3900. United Way 211 staff will assist by providing information from the Lee County Emergency Operations Center and also will connect people to resources that may help. The 211 Help Line is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Message from Lee County Solid Waste:
In light of the recent standing water in areas of the County, franchise haulers will continue with their normally scheduled routes and will attempt all collections where it is safe to do so. In situations where this is not feasible, the franchise hauler will make attempts later in the collection day or that week to collect garbage from the curb.

If you have flood-related debris, please set this at the curb in compliance with current curbside rules, see www.leegov.com/solidwaste/residential/curbside for additional set out information. In general, materials must be containerized or bagged and weigh less than 50 pounds. Items like carpeting should be cut into manageable sized pieces weighing less than 50 pounds.

For additional information, call Lee County Solid Waste at (239) 533-8000.

Emergency Management: WWW.LEEEOC.COM

Flood Protection Information City Webpage: http://www.cityofbonitasprings.org/flood_protection_information/

Department of Health Fact Sheet http://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/emergency-preparedness-and-response/prepare-yourself/current-hazards/hurricanefactsheet.html

Closed roads and road conditions http://leegis.leegov.com/roadconditions

Sandbags: The Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District has been supplying sandbags at Bonita Station 4: 27701 Bonita Grande Dr, Bonita Springs. For more information call: 239-949-6200.

Safety: To contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office for non-emergency related situations please call 239-477-1000. For emergencies, please call 911.

Shelters: For shelter activation information please visit WWW.LEEEOC.COM. There is no state of local emergency and no mandatory evacuations at this time.

Connect - Emergency Operations Center: This is your primary source for emergency related updates. The webpage is located at WWW.LEEEOC.COM. You can also connect with the Emergency Operations Center through social media sites like twitter and facebook by visiting the website above.

Connect - City of Bonita Springs: The City of Bonita Springs will be posting updates to the city’s webpage. www.cityofbonitasprings.org Facebook: Facebook.com/CityBonitaSprings For any questions, please call 239-949-6262.

Additional Information: The City will continue monitoring the expected sheet flow from the northeast areas of Lee County over the next few days. Residents are cautioned to continue to monitor weather stations and the emergency operations information in the coming week.

Consistent coordination with local media has been occurring to ensure residents are informed and updated. City staff has been out hand delivering notifications to residents and coordinating resources on the ground in conjunction with the Emergency Operations Center. The Emergency Operations Center is continuing to send daily updates. The City is sharing resident resources on the city facebook page and city webpage. If you have additional questions, please call city hall at 239-949-6262.

-Tips-
• Never walk or drive in the flood waters. Many people are killed by driving or walking on roads and bridges that are covered by water. Even though the water might look only inches deep, it could be much deeper and have strong currents. It only takes two feet of water to carry away a car, and six inches of swiftly moving water will sweep a person off his feet. Turn around, don’t drown.
• Never underestimate the swiftness of the water. Flooded creeks and streams are unpredictable. Even though the surface water may be smooth, the water is moving very fast.
• Don't assume your vehicle is safe. High water in streets and intersections will quickly stall motor vehicles. Most trucks, four-wheel drives, and sport utility vehicles also are susceptible to being swept away by high water.
• Find an alternate route around the flooded area. If you are approaching a flooded roadway, turn around and take an alternate route, even though vehicles in front of you may have passed through the high water. Barricades are for your protection. Do not drive through them.
• Never stay with your car in a flooded area. If your car stalls, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground. Many deaths have resulted from attempts to move stalled vehicles.
• Never let children play near canals or storm drains when the water is rising or high. Swimming skills have nothing to do with surviving a flooded creek or stream.
• Beware of items being washed downstream. Debris or garbage in the water may include tires, shopping carts and furniture. These items can easily injure or trap a person under water Flood time is not a time for play. Flooded streams and rivers are not safe for recreational boating. Many canoeists and kayakers have been rescued from dangerous rapids in flood-swollen streams and rivers.
• Stay away from storm drains, irrigation ditches, creeks and river areas.