POST-STORM UPDATES - OCTOBER 9, 2022

Dear Neapolitans,

 

This weekend our City teams continued working hard on recovery efforts. FPL power has been restored to approximately 95% of the sewer lift stations within the City’s wastewater collection system. Stations that sustained electrical damage during the storm continue to be operated by portable bypass pumps. This weekend, the City’s Utilities Department began replacing control panels and other electrical equipment, to restore full functionality at these lift station locations. The City's contractor, Ashbritt, collected approximately 140 truckloads of C&D debris over the weekend. Our Streets & Stormwater crews continued to clear storm drains and outfall pipes in preparation for possible rains this week.

 

The Red Cross worked with our Emergency Management Team to set up a distribution location at the River Park Community Center; this location is in addition to the distribution site located at Anthony Park. FEMA and Collier County will hold a Hybrid Public Meeting on October 12th (see details below).

 

The City understands the cable and cellular services continue to be a point of frustration for our residents and are working hard to connect with leaders in these organizations for faster restoration efforts. Please see below for additional details about the recovery efforts made to date. On behalf of Mayor Heitmann, City Council, and City Staff, thank you for your continued patience. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Jay Boodheshwar

City Manager

Debris Removal

  • Debris removal trucks continued full-scale operations and will continue through the week. C&D Debris collected today: 4,000 cubic yards (80 truck loads)

  • Residents and businesses are reminded NOT TO BLOCK FIRE HYDRANTS when placing debris at the curb/right-of-way. This will impact the Fire Department’s ability to access hydrants in an emergency.

  • Please continue to pay close attention to the instructions provided by the City regarding separating material into various piles. Click HERE for instructions

  • Household Hazard Waste (batteries, paint, etc.) will be picked up by the City's contractor if it is placed at the curb/right-of-way in a separate pile.

  • Alternately, City residents can drop off hazardous waste materials and vegetative debris, free of charge, at the following designated recycling drop-off centers:

  • Marco Island Recycling Drop-Off Center, 990 Chalmer Drive, Marco Island

  • Naples Airport Recycling Drop-Off Center, 2640 Corporate Flight Rd, Naples

  • Tim Nance Collier County Recycling Center, 825 39th Avenue NE, Naples (near the Fairgrounds)

  • Immokalee Transfer Station at 700 Stockade Road, Immokalee

  • The Recycling Drop-Off Centers are open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. The Immokalee Transfer Station is open 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. These locations are open only to Collier County residents with proper identification. Debris will not be accepted from businesses or contractors.

FPL, Comcast, and Verizon

  • Although 99% of FPL’s infrastructure is back online, many properties cannot be energized yet. These properties are awaiting on electrical engineers to inspect equipment, complete repairs, or replace damaged equipment before FPL can energize. City staff is working very closely with FPL field teams to energize buildings as soon as clearance is provided by property owners.

  • Contact # to schedule electrical inspections by the City of Naples Building Department for condominium's/commercial buildings to be re-energized by FPL (239) 564-9109

  • Comcast is working as quickly as possible to restore service as safely as possible.

  • Generally, Comcast service restoration follows power restoration. It is possible that even with power restoration, damage of Comcast equipment may prevent Comcast service from being restored.

  • For these reasons, it is difficult for Comcast to forecast a detailed restoration plan. Comcast has been maintaining a Hurricane Ian website for Ian response and restoration at: https://florida.comcast.com/2022/10/02/hurricane-ian-response-and-restoration-update-for-central-and-southwest-florida/

  • Xfinity WiFi hotspots can be found at Xfinity.com/wifi

  • Verizon has installed two mobile towers in the City to help with coverage and congestion with plans to install a third tower on Monday in the Moorings.

  • Century Link Account and Tech Support | M-F 8a-6p | 800-244-1111

Safety, Security, and Curfew

  • A mandatory county-wide curfew remains in effect through the weekend from Midnight to 6am and the City’s curfew (specific to residential areas) remains in effect from 10pm – 6am through the weekend.

  • Police will strictly enforce this curfew for individuals who do not live in residential areas and will remain on high alert while patrolling all corners of the community.

  • As an added security measure, we have a police presence at certain check-point locations after sundown to keep non-residents out of areas experiencing extended power outages.

  • Collier County Sheriff Deputies are assisting the City with road patrol and will have a presence in the City 24/7 through the end of the weekend.

Utilities and Solid Waste Collection

  • Potable water continues to be safe for consumption, but please note that the City may still experience water main leaks in the days and weeks ahead, and may need to isolate discrete areas of the water distribution system to complete repairs. Water customers that are directly impacted will be notified via door hangers.

  • Residents and businesses are reminded to contact the City Utilities Department at (239) 213-4745, if you observe any unauthorized use of fire hydrants.

  • Contractors who are in need of water to fill water trucks should contact the City Utilities Department at (239) 213-4745, to make arrangements to fill from a temporary water meter located outside of the Utilities Building at 380 Riverside Circle.

  • For commercial customers, please do not place any horticulture debris, construction & demolition debris (C&D), or white goods, within commercial front-load dumpsters.

  • For any solid waste collection questions, please contact the City’s Solid Waste Division at (239) 213-4700.

Roadways

  • All roads within the City are passable. Crews continue to brush dried mud and run multiple street sweepers to pick up fine debris. These actions will continue until all roads are back to normal.

  • Storm basins and storm outfalls continue to be cleaned.

  • Only 1 intersection (Gulf Shore Blvd N. and Park Shore Dr.) remains dark with a temporary stop sign. 6 intersections are flashing, and all others are operable.

  • Please continue to use care and watch for emergency crews.

Building and Permitting

Water and Supply Distribution

  • The Red Cross opened another distribution center at River Park Community Center. The hours will be from Noon - 6:00pm.

FEMA Assistance

  • FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Collier County

  • Veterans Community Park

  • 1895 Veterans Park Drive, Naples 34109

  • Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until further notice

  • Residents can apply for federal assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or download the mobile app.

  • For those who did not evacuate but now need to leave their home can visit www.floridadisaster.org/shelter-status for open general and special needs shelters in Florida.

  • Operation Blue Roof program is a free service to homeowners. Residents can sign up at Blueroof.us. A Right of Entry (ROE) form must be completed. Residents can call 1-888-ROOF-BLU (766-3258) for more information.

  • Free Legal Assistance Available for Florida Ian Survivors - view information here

Critical Needs Assistance

What to Expect After you Apply for FEMA Assistance

What kind of Assistance can FEMA provide to Florida Hurricane Survivors

How to Appeal FEMAs Decision

Small Business Administration Assistance

  • Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans are available. Applicants may apply at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov under declaration #17644. You can also call 800-659-2955 or send an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, dial 7-1-1.

 

  • These field offices act as one-stop-shops for businesses, homeowners, and renters seeking to cover losses caused by declared natural disasters. Specifically, the centers help the Office of Disaster Assistance in its mission to provide low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster.

 

  • SBA Business Recovery Center | Collier County

  • The Naples Players, 701 5th Avenue South, Naples, FL 34102

  • Hours: Monday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Tuesday – Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed Facilities and Parks (until further notice)

  • Naples Fishing Pier (indefinitely)

  • Lowdermilk Park (indefinitely)

  • ALL Beach accesses and some beach ends / parking areas (Police on ATVs will be patrolling beaches)

  • Crews are working to clean public beach accesses

  • The beach is being cleaned by Collier County contractors.

  • Norris Center and Tennis Center at Cambier Park

  • City Dock

  • Phase 1 (current phase): closed to public, allowing tenants to access vessels for assessments only. Fuel is only available to emergency personnel, which includes SeaTow and US Boats, or other recovery companies. No commercial vessel operations at this time.

Open City Buildings and Parks

  • City Hall and other office buildings are open Mon - Fri 8:00am-5:00pm

  • River Park (except Aquatic Center)

  • Fleischmann Park and Community Center

  • Baker Park and Dog Park

  • Cambier Park

  • Seagate Park

  • Anthony Park

Additional Information

City of Naples | mbarnhart@naplesgov.com | (239) 213-1001 | Website