City of Sanibel--Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Sanibel
Press Release

Sanibel, Florida - August 18, 2008
Contact: Police Chief William Tomlinson (239) 472-3111
Tropical Storm Fay - Advisory #13

Mandatory Evacuation For Tourists and Visitors Announced

In a special emergency session, the Sanibel City Council announced a MANDATORY EVACUATION order for tourists and visitors in transient housing (Hotels and Condominiums) on the Island. Sanibel Police are distributing flyers announcing the evacuation.

As of 5:00 p.m., a Hurricane Warning is still in effect for Sanibel. A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected within the next 24 hours. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion. Tropical Storm Fay is located 128 miles south of Sanibel, moving toward the north/northwest near 12 mph. Forecasters predict a turn toward the north with a slower speed tonight. Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph with higher gusts. Strengthening is expected tonight and Tuesday. Fay is forecast to be at or near hurricane strength as it approaches the southwest coast of Florida. Tropical Storm Force winds extend outward up to 125 miles.

EVACUATION SHELTERS

Based upon the current forecast, Sanibel Chief of Police Bill Tomlinson strongly advises that no person plan to "ride-out" the event on-island in a structure which cannot sustain Hurricane strength winds or the forecasted storm surge.

THE CHIEF ALSO REMINDS CITIZENS TO STAY INSIDE A PROTECTED AREA DURING A STORM SURGE. Storm surge and tornadic activity are often the deadliest aspects of a Tropical Storm or Hurricane on a barrier Island.

The closest evacuation shelter available to Sanibel residents will be South Fort Myers High School, 14020 Plantation Road,Fort Myers. Directions to this shelter are included at the end of this release. This is also the designated pet shelter for Lee County.

Residents who are voluntarily evacuating are reminded to:

Bring prescription medications

Identification for re-entry

Copies of personal insurance documents

Property and financial records


A special needs shelter is open at the Harborside Special Events Center, 1375 Monroe Street, Fort Myers.


Three other public shelters are scheduled are also open at the following locations:

Estero High School, 21900 River Ranch Rd., Estero

Island Coast High School, 2125 De Navarra Pkwy., Cape Coral

Dunbar High School, 3800 Edison Ave., Fort Myers



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Sanibel

Press Release

Sanibel, Florida - August 18, 2008

News Release - For Immediate Release

August 18, 2008

City of Sanibel, FL


Tropical Storm Fay - Advisory #14

In a Storm Surge Situation, Take Refuge

The current forecast for Tropical Storm Fay includes the strong possibility of a storm surge of up to 5 1/2 feet, depending on tidal influences, on Sanibel.

SANIBEL POLICE CHIEF WILLIAM TOMLINSON STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT ANYONE WHO FINDS THEMSELVES IN A STORM SURGE SITUATION SECURE THEMSELVES INSIDE A SHELTERED LOCATION UNTIL THE STORM SURGE SUBSIDES.

Persons should not venture outside into the flood waters that may result from a storm surge. Persons on Sanibel are reminded that alligators may be present in any water accumulation.