Hurricane Season 2007:

Special Needs Shelter

At a meeting of faith based organizations with Sanibel City Manager Judie Zimomra and Police Major Michael Murray Saint Michael’s representatives Don Adams and Jerry Steege received several reminders to pass on to parishioners. Jane and Don Adams are coordinating information for Saint Michael’s on island residents while Christine and Jerry Steege are doing likewise for those living off island.

There is a Special Needs Shelter registry kept by the Sanibel Police of Sanibel residents. If you have medical needs and do not have a place to go if there is an evacuation, please call the church office for a special needs registration form or the application can be printed at www.leeeoc.com/specialneeds.pdf. Registering does not mean you have to go to a special needs shelter if you can develop other plan, but if you don’t register in advance you won’t be admitted. Only those with special needs and their care giver will be admitted to Special Needs Shelters which will be staffed with medical professionals. If needed, the City will provide transportation to Special Needs Shelters.

Parishioners with pets are advised that Lee County has a pet shelter and that many hotels allowed pets when the mandatory evacuation for Hurricane Charley was issued.

Residents are reminded to get a City of Sanibel Hurricane 2007 Re-entry Permit at the Police Station if you have not already done so (the bright pink card that attaches to your car rear view mirror). They will not be issued at the last minute after emergency plans have gone into effect. Keep the card where you know where it is. If you have a car the glove compartment is a good location.

Expect evacuation notices to be earlier than in the past because of wind factors involving the height of the new high span causeway bridge. The City of Sanibel will be initiating their hurricane plan five days before anticipated landfall. Evacuation notices can be expected three days in advance of projected landfall.

As in the past, the City of Sanibel will set up a temporary city hall in the Crown Plaza hotel, formerly the Holiday Inn, at the Bell Tower Shops and will hold daily information meetings. Hundreds of people are likely to attend these gatherings making it hard to fine one another. Look for Jane and Don Adams and Christine and Jerry Steege who will be holding Saint Michael’s license plates in the air to gather parishioners.

Plan to use the City website, www.mysanibel.org to keep informed. Go to the site and register to receive all web notices on your computer automatically. Also, check Saint Michael and All Angel’s website, www.saintmichaels-sanibel.org for updates. Most importantly keep in mind that each of us is responsible for our own safety and for making our own evacuation plans.