Lee County declares state of emergency as Hurricane Ian approaches

Bill Smith, Fort Myers News-Press
·2 min read

As Hurricane Ian begins its churn into the Gulf of Mexico, Lee County officials have declared a state of local emergency.

The declaration of emergency was made "because of the increased intensity of the storm and its current forecasted track and potential storm and rainfall," according to a Lee County news release

Declaring a state of local emergency does not open shelters and does not alter county operations. It lays the groundwork for emergency procurement of supplies and equipment.

It also gives top county officials the authority and ability to make emergency decisions without seeking a vote of the Board of County Commissioners. It means that during the state of emergency county officials can take actions quickly in response to developments during the storm.

Live updates: Hurricane Ian moves toward Florida. Here's where to find news for SWFL

Hurricane Watch: Hurricane Ian continues to strengthen. Hurricane watch issued for portions of Florida

Hurricane Ian: See spaghetti models, path and storm activity for Florida

Emergency Operations: After Irma, Lee County made changes to improve Emergency Operations Center

Lee County operations center during a prior event. The facility brings operations personnel together to direct operations in an emergency, such as a hurricane
Lee County operations center during a prior event. The facility brings operations personnel together to direct operations in an emergency, such as a hurricane

County officials have already dispatched its natural resources and department of transportation staff to monitor crucial areas and their capacity to absorb heavy rainfall.

County offices are open and are carrying on business as usual. Some staff has been deployed to the Emergency Operations Center to prepare for its possible activation.

A 3 p.m. news conference, which will be carried on Facebook Live, will outline steps that have been taken and the county's plans for when impact of the storm begins to be felt. To watch the briefing go to https://www.facebook.com/leecountyflboc. The Lee County School District, the sheriff's office and the county port authority, which operates Southwest Florida International and Page Field airports, will participate.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Hurricane Ian: State of emergency declared in Lee County, Florida