Hurricane Irma: FEMA continues adding workers to storm cleanup
news-press.com STACEY HENSON, SHENSON@NEWS-PRESS.COM
Southwest Florida continued to inch its way closer to normalcy post-Hurricane Irma on Saturday. Today will mark one week since Irma slammed into the region causing millions of dollars of damage, schools closing and scars to the landscape that will takes months to repair.
More and more businesses, public institutions and government agencies are marching forward as they put more distance between them and Irma.
Here is round up of key topics tied to Irma’s aftermath:
FEMA
The U.S. Government updated how it is working with hurricane recovery.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency continues coordinating the efforts of the federal family, working alongside state, Commonwealth, tribal, territorial, and local emergency responders to help address the immediate needs of survivors following Hurricane Irma.
Tens of thousands of federal workers are supporting preparedness, response, and recovery to Hurricane Irma, including more than 3,200 FEMA staff, and more than 13,000 National Guard soldiers and airmen from 22 states, in rescue, evacuation, security and support operations.
GULF COAST TOWN CENTER
Gulf Coast Town Center mall joined the other big three Southwest Florida malls — Edison Mall in Fort Myers, Coconut Point and Miromar Outlets, both in Estero — getting power turned on and opening stores Saturday.
SCHOOL CLOSINGS
Bishop Verot High School announced Saturday in an email to students and parents that the school now plans to open on Sept. 25.
It joins Lee County public schools, including all of its charter schools, are aiming for a Sept. 25 opening. All employees are due back at work next Friday.
Canterbury School students, faculty and staff are headed back to class Monday.
Southwest Florida Christian Academy is opening Sept. 25.
CIRCUIT COURTS
The Lee County Clerk of Court will reopen, with them open for those to pay fines and trials, foreclosure sales and tax deed sales to be rescheduled.
Chief Judge Michael McHugh authorized the reopening of all Twentieth Circuit courthouses on Monday.
The Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida serves Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties.
For the Lee County Clerk of Court:
Traffic fine payments and criminal court fee payments due on or before Sept. 11 will be given a 30-day extension to Oct. 11. No drivers license suspensions will be issued during this extension period;
All payment plans will be extended 30 days from Sept. 11 to Oct. 1;
Court hearings and trials will be rescheduled; parties will be notified of new dates;
Jury Service for those scheduled to report during office closure is considered canceled;
Foreclosure sales and tax deed sales canceled during office closure will be rescheduled and announcements will be posted on the RealAuction website. All cancelled sales will be rescheduled and republished within the next 30 days once regular business hours resume;
Check www.leeclerk.org or call 239-533-2556 for updates.
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
The Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida will be distributing water and food at the following emergency mobile pantry locations on Sunday in Collier and Charlotte counties and Monday in Lee County:
Sunday
10 a.m. to noon: New Operation Cooper St., 650 Mary St., Punta Gorda
10 a.m. to noon: Naples Senior Center, Jewish Family and Community Services, 5025 Castello Drive, Naples
10 a.m. to noon: Whistler’s Cove Apartments, 11420 Whistlers Cove Circle, Naples
Monday
10 a.m. to noon: Suncoast Community Center, 2241 Case Lane N., Fort Myers
10 a.m. to noon: Hope United Presbyterian Church, 7470 Hickory Drive, Fort Myers
1 to 3 p.m. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Outpatient Care, 4550 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers
4 to 6 p.m.: Cape Coral Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1813 El Dorado Parkway W., Cape Coral
OPERATION BBQ RELIEF
Operation BBQ Relief is available from Germain Arena in Estero for the next seven to 10 days.
Churches, organizations and any groups that are aiding in providing relief to groups of people affected by Irma that need food.
The groups should contact 913-915-1059 with food available for pickup at Germain Arena beginning at 5 a.m.
‘DING’ DARLING REFUGE
The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island plans to reopen in phases beginning Monday.
The refuge Visitor & Education Center will reopen at 9 a.m. Monday, with normal operating hours of 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.
Tarpon Bay Explorers, the official refuge concessionaire, will reopen at 8 a.m. Tuesday, with normal operating hours of 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.
The Wildlife Drive will reopen at 7 a.m. Wednesday, with gate hours for September 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
To confirm refuge hours call 239-472-1100 or check the refuge’s official Facebook page for the most current information: www.facebook.com/dingdarlingrefuge
HENDRY REGIONAL CORPORATE HEALTH
Hendry Regional Corporate Health, 203 S. Gloria Street, Clewiston, will resume normal operations beginning Monday, with all hospital services and clinics located in Clewiston will be open and fully staffed to accept patients.
Hendry Regional Convenient Care Center, 450 S. Main St., LaBelle, will continue to operate the rural health services portion of the facility.
The Specialty Offices and Physical & Occupational Therapy services at Hendry Regional Convenient Care Center in LaBelle will remain closed until further notice. The facilities will re-open as utilities are restored and staff is available.
AMERICAN RED CROSS
The American Red Cross is focused on safety, shelter, food, which includes shelf-stable meals, and positioning personnel and supplies.
More than 8,100 people were provided refuge from Hurricane Irma in more than 100 government and Red Cross evacuation centers across four states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Red Cross served more than 380,000 meals and snacks.
More than 3,000 Red Cross workers are responding to Irma now, with almost 350 more volunteers on the way.
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has more than 350 personnel engaged and have received 35 FEMA Mission Assignments.
For Florida, it is providing temporary power, temporary roofing, debris removal, and infrastructure assessment.
NATIONAL GUARD
The U.S. National Guard Bureau is sending additional personnel to support law enforcement and security operations; they’re scheduled to arrive in the affected areas in the next four days.
National Guard soldiers and airmen continue staffing critical points of distribution to deliver essential resources including food and water, and continue clearing debris to open roads in affected areas.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
U.S. Department of Energy continues to ensure that fuel remains available in the areas impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Harvey.
The fuel situation is stable, and the department is working with its interagency and private sector partners to ensure that it remains available throughout the region.
The Strategic Petroleum Reserve delivered 3.1 million barrels of crude, out of the 5.3 million authorized.
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
The U.S. Social Security Administration is working with the United States Postal Service and the Department of Treasury regarding check payments to be delivered.
Cycle 3 benefit payments will be delivered Wednesday.
They estimate approximately 5,700 checks will be issued in the areas affected by Irma. The agency will continue to monitor the status of all check payments in affected areas.
