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Hurricane Season Volume 9 Issue 8 | Aug/Sept/Oct 2018

A s I write this column the third 3215 Gulf Shore Blvd N • Suite #112N | Naples, FL 34103

239.572.0051
named storm of the 2018
season is churning through
the outer Atlantic. It’s been quite a lifeinnaplesreg@gmail.com
www.lifeinnaples.net
while since we have had this much
named activity this early. In talking Text Copyright 2018 all rights reserved.
to and working closely with both No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form by
Collier County and Naples Emergency any electronic or mechanical means without permission from
Management I can tell you that both the publisher. Life in Naples regrets that no responsibility can
are ready for the upcoming season.
be accepted for unsolicited material. Opinions expressed by
Meetings have been held, plans updated, decisions made and contributors or advertisers are not necessarily those
lessons learned from Irma incorporated into planned responses.
of the publisher.
Communication is a must during disasters, it is best to
have as many devices as you can such as; battery powered
radio, NOAA weather radio, landline or your cell phone. Great
improvement in forecasting can now pinpoint storm surge and
direction which will cut down on the size of the area that needs
to evacuate. This in turn will decrease the traffic problems and publisher reg buxton
the manpower needed to control them. The charge given to
the community after hurricane Wilma was “The first 72 are account executives rosemary fox - national
up to you,” meaning you are responsible for your food, water, 248.515.1423
medicine, fuel and shelter for the first 72 hours after a storm. colette m. beringer - local
312.315.9549
This was established to allow emergency agencies to focus on
those that were most affected by the storm. Those with life
contributing writers mayor bill barnett
threatening injuries or catastrophic damage. If you choose to dr. allen weiss
evacuate, do it when the order is given, not a day or two later. paula allia
Procrastination is not a word to be used when it comes to you congressman francis rooney
and your families’ wellbeing. diana jarrett
In talking to groups and individuals one statement I hear sandra lee buxton
over and over is “Well I went through a Category 4 storm with lois bolin
Irma, I can handle it.” Let’s make one item perfectly clear! claudia polzin
Irma was a Category 3 storm when it entered Collier County. laurel meny
It lost its bottom and quickly turned into a Category 2 storm. tim tetzloff
When that happened not only did the winds decrease but the ron mcginty
threat of a 10/15-foot storm surge in Naples went away. Only
a fool would say we were lucky with Irma. Far too much pain graphic design opus studio, inc.
and suffering happened and some still have unresolved issues. It
could have been much worse and the death toll greater had the
storm held together. From history I can tell you that this year
hurricane seminars will be packed, everyone will have storms
on their mind and will heed the 72-hour rule. I can also from
experience tell you that next year hurricane seminar attendance
will fall by 50 percent and the year after attendance will be nil.
That is how it has always been, stay prepared.

4 Life in Naples | Aug/Sept/Oct 2018