Sanibel asking Lee County for state of emergency declaration ahead of Idalia
Sanibel city council member Holly Smith, who was mayor during and immediately after Hurricane Ian, said as a hotelier, she’s busy doing prep while navigating a flurry of meetings Monday.
On the schedule so far: the fire district, Lee County Electric Cooperative, a likely city Council meeting and a roundtable with Senator Rick Scott about lessons, learned from hurricane Ian.
“We’ve asked the county for a state of emergency declaration,” Smith said. “That would allow for different levels of preparation, such as evacuations. We know it’s going to be developing, so we’re following suit as we always do and will send out email blasts to citizens as we have information.”
More: Hurricane Idalia expected to intensify, bring 2 to 4 feet of surge in Lee, Collier
She estimates there are about 1,000 residents on the island now, with fewer than 100 visitors, “because we have such limited room availability.“
Whatever happens, the city is taking the threat seriously.
After Ian, Smith said, “I would rather have a citizen upset with me for a couple of days if nothing comes to pass, than have to handle the mess we did post-Ian.”
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Sanibel Island florida preparing for Idalia while recovering from Ian
