Page 71 - LIN-December 2024-web-file

Sound Planning and Preparation Paved Way for CMCD’s Quick Return to

Normal Operations Post Hurricane Milton

by Patrick Linn, MS, MSHAPI
Executive Director, Collier Mosquito Control District
n mid-October, our community In the days immediately following a storm, it remains difficult to
experienced the all-too-familiar perform aerial treatments as lingering winds often exceed label limits
I feeling of bracing for impact from yet for use by our aircraft. However, we do actively engage in collecting
another major hurricane. Like mosquitoes, field data and tracking mosquito levels. Our dedicated team spent the
hurricanes are a fact of life in Southwest weekend following Milton resetting traps throughout the District and
Florida, and they are something for which performing mosquito surveillance to allow us to start treating again as
Collier Mosquito Control (CMCD) actively quickly as possible.
plans. This planning allows CMCD to stay We have become grizzled veterans in preparing for hurricanes,
operational for as long as possible as a storm and for good reason. As an example, 2022’s Hurricane Ian caused
approaches and resume operations quickly after the storm passes. widespread damage to CMCD headquarters, resulting in months of
Planning for hurricanes starts well before a potential tropical limited access to the facility. Every year, each storm brings its own
threat pops up on the radar. CMCD reviews its plan every May unique set of threats, and we learn more from each one that passes our
and team members are assigned to specific roles before hurricane way. In any given hurricane season, we may experience alterations to
season begins. As Hurricane Milton approached, this preparation our operations three to five times.
allowed our leadership to quickly act to shore up field data As the District’s executive director, I want to thank our entire team
equipment, aircraft and CMCD headquarters. Mosquito traps, for their quick and careful work before, during and after the storm.
which can become flying hazards in high winds, were collected It is amazing that we were able to go from zero to sixty so quickly
from the field and airplanes and helicopters were evacuated to after Hurricane Milton left our area. Collecting field data in the days
hangars at higher elevations. following a tropical event is critically important as whole ecosystems
During the storm, CMCD leadership remained in continuous can be drastically impacted, leading to a significant public health
contact with one another and monitored facilities via live webcams. threat from mosquitoes (not to mention the nuisance that comes
This monitoring allowed us to evaluate potential damage and make with associated increases in populations). Our mission is to keep our
plans for the resumption of operations in real time, even as the community safe and comfortable from excessive mosquito populations
brunt of Hurricane Milton was still battering Southwest Florida. and our team does an incredible job meeting that mission – even
Storm surge from the Gordon River threatened our facilities, but when Mother Nature poses these unique challenges.
thankfully receded quickly after coming within a foot of or two of Anyone who would like to learn more about how we monitor for
breaching the CMCD headquarters.
diseases or would like a tour of the lab and other facilities,
can request a tour by emailing us at info@cmcd.org.
To learn more about the Florida Mosquito Control Association, visit their website at www.yourfmca.org.
To learn more about the District or to sign up to receive treatment notifications, visit our website at www.cmcd.org.
The Collier Mosquito Control District works to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our residents through the safest and most economical means available.
If you would like more information about how we control mosquitoes, please visit our website at cmcd.org or call us 239-436-1000.

Life in Naples | December 2024 71