Lee County reminds residents to stay off the roads and be safe; additional updates from lee County Government regarding recovery efforts from Hurricane Ian Lee Board to County Commissioners cancels Oct. 4 regular board meeting
Lee County reminds residents to stay off the roads and be safe; additional updates from lee County Government regarding recovery efforts from Hurricane Ian Lee Board to County Commissioners cancels Oct. 4 regular board meeting
Posted on 09/30/2022
WasteLee County reminds residents to stay off the roads and be safe; additional updates from lee County Government regarding recovery efforts from Hurricane Ian
Lee Board to County Commissioners cancels Oct. 4 regular board meeting

Fort Myers, FL, Sept. 30, 2022 – Motorists are instructed to stay off the roadways to allow recovery efforts to proceed safely. 

Search and rescue efforts continue throughout the county with local, state and federal resources on air, sea and land. First responders are encountering traffic that is hindering their efforts. Traffic is also slowing responding agencies that are assessing roads, restoring electrical service and staging other recovery efforts.

Stranded residents of Fort Myers Beach are asked to walk to the Publix and 7-11 on Estero Island. Urban Search and Rescue responders will be there to assist evacuation.

Lee County is working with its partners to establish Points of Distribution for free food and water. Those sites will be announced this afternoon and will be located throughout the county.

Lee County shelter operations continue and shelter capacity will be maintained. If your home was impacted by the storm and you need shelter, you can still go. Check www.leegov.com/storm for updates on shelter locations.

Crews from Lee County Department of Transportation continue to assess area roads and bridges. The following bridges are closed: Sanibel Causeway, three bridges in Matlacha, New Pass, Big Carlos Pass Bridge and Big Hickory Pass Bridge.

Lee County Utilities and other water providers ask that anyone who witnesses water bubbling up from the ground report it to the utility serving your area. Remember to conserve water as much as possible.

The Lee Board of County Commissioners meeting planned for Oct. 4 has been canceled. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Oct. 18. For more information, go to www.leegov.com/bocc.

While staying at home and cleaning storm-related yard waste:
Stack it separately from garbage or building debris.
Yard waste does not need to be bundled after the storm. 
Place it in piles that can easily be managed by collection personnel with a claw truck.
Do not place any waste below overhead obstacles such as trees or powerlines or near hydrants or mailboxes.

If working with a chainsaw, please observe all safety precautions. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends:
Clear away dirt, debris, small tree limbs and rocks from the saw’s chain path. Look for nails, spikes or other metal in the tree before cutting.
Shut off the saw or engage its chain brake when carrying the saw on rough or uneven terrain. 
Keep your hands on the saw’s handles, and maintain balance while operating the saw. 
Proper personal protective equipment must be worn when operating the saw, which includes hand, foot, leg, eye, face, hearing and head protection. 
Do not wear loose-fitting clothing. 
Be careful that the trunk or tree limbs will not bind against the saw.
Watch for branches under tension; they may spring out when cut.
Gasoline-powered chainsaws must be equipped with a protective device that minimizes chainsaw kickback.