FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:    David Saniter, Lee County Emergency Management
                (941) 477-3600

FORT MYERS, Fla. (July 24, 2001) – The Board of Lee County Commissioners on Tuesday continued its "State of Local Emergency" due to flood threat for one week, primarily to ensure that roads impassable to emergency vehicles can be repaired.

During a conference call with emergency managers Tuesday morning, most fire districts reported a lessening flood threat and very few flooded streets. There still is some flooding in the Bayshore area of North Fort Myers, which also is reporting some sheet flow.

The county distributed 150 tons of sand and 25,000 sandbags to fire districts Monday to shore up areas where street flooding threatened to restrict emergency access.

Five homes reported water in them – three in San Carlos Park and two in North Fort Myers – and one family was relocated to a hotel by the American Red Cross.

A normal seasonal weather pattern should return today and Wednesday.

A state of emergency declaration temporarily increases the Public Safety Division’s ability to combat emergencies, including being able to expend additional funds, order evacuations and open shelters. It also is a signal to residents that they should be aware of the potential threat of flooding in the area.

The Board will receive a status report on the state of emergency at its next meeting on July 31 to decide whether to extend it.