Dear Neapolitans,
It’s been 9 days since water began to recede after the City of Naples was inundated with record-setting storm surge and heavy winds associated with Hurricane Ian. An immense amount of damage and disruption was left behind, but our community has responded with strength, patience, cooperation, focus, and determination to return our beautiful city to the paradise it was before Ian arrived. This past week was filled with scenes of neighbors helping neighbors in all corners of our community and your city employees working 24/7 (with help from all our sister cities in Florida and private utilities) to restore power and cable, clean roads, restore parks, remove debris, ensure clean drinking water, and provide safety and security.
We know much work is still ahead of us, and we know there are many residents of our community who are still displaced due to damage and/or power outage. We know neighbors will continue helping their neighbors, but there are resources in the City through FEMA, the Red Cross, and other agencies who have mobilized to help us get through this. Below is the October 7, 2022, Community Update, which provides important details about the post-storm recovery efforts.
On behalf of Mayor Heitmann, City Council, and City Staff, thank you for all you are collectively doing to help our community get through this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Jay Boodheshwar
City Manager
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.The City resumed garbage and recycling collections for all single-family, multi-family, and commercial properties are operating on their normal schedules.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.
FPL, Comcast, and Verizon
As of 4:00 PM today, 6% of the City is without power (down from 14% yesterday). Several sections of the city that had power previously restored may continue to experience periodic blackouts while FPL troubleshoots issues. Multiple properties in the city sustained significant damage to customer-owned electrical equipment that was submerged by water, so FPL cannot energize the private property equipment until they are repaired or replaced. FPL flyer regarding power to homeOur city team, in conjunction with the FPL team, has identified the properties that cannot be energized until equipment is inspected by electrical engineers to determine if they are operable, need to be repaired, or need to be replaced. We were active in the field again today doing inspections and will continue to approve properties that are safe to energize. A lot of progress was made today and will continue our efforts to assist FPL tomorrow and in the days ahead.Comcast Cable services continue coming back online. Comcast has deployed additional teams to assist in local repairs. Xfinity WiFi hotspots can be found at Xfinity.com/wifiCell service also continues to improve. Verizon installed a second mobile tower on Riverside Circle to complement the one near City Hall and is looking at other possible locations.If you have questions regarding your power, cable, internet, and cell service, please contact our Hurricane Hotline at (239) 213-4900.
Roadways
All roads within the City are passable. Crews will 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.
Debris Removal
Debris removal trucks continued its full-scale operations today and collected the following debris volume:Vegetative – 1,500 cubic yards (30 truck loads)Construction & Demolition (C&D) Debris – 1,700 cubic yards (34 truck loads)Please continue to pay close attention to the instructions provided by the City regarding separating material into various piles. Click HERE for instructionsThe City’s debris removal contractor will remove Household Hazard Waste (batteries, paint, etc.), if it is placed at the curb/right-of-way in a separate pile. Alternately, City residents can drop off these materials, free of charge, at the following designated recycling drop-off centers:Marco Island Recycling Drop-Off Center, 990 Chalmer Drive, Marco IslandNaples Airport Recycling Drop-Off Center, 2640 Corporate Flight Rd, NaplesTim Nance Collier County Recycling Center, 825 39th Avenue NE, Naples (near the Fairgrounds)Immokalee Transfer Station at 700 Stockade Road, ImmokaleeThe 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.In addition to hazardous waste materials, Collier County residents now have the option to take their hurricane vegetative debris, free of charge, to the above recycling drop-off locations. These locations are open only to Collier County residents with proper identification. Debris will not be accepted from businesses or contractors.
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. Two arrests were made last night for curfew violations.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.
Water and Supply Distribution
The City will continue distributing bottled water at the River Park Community Center, in the River Park East Neighborhood, at Fleischmann Park, at the Norris Center, and at Seagate Park from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm tomorrow.Muck out / Flood kits will be available at these locations as well.
Building and Permitting
The Building Department will be resuming inspections on Monday, October 10th and all Building Department services have and will be continuing. For all properties waterward of the Coastal Construction Setback Line (CCSL) in which post-storm activities are being conducted, a City of Naples CCSL Field Permit may be required. Click here to view the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Handout for list of activities and appropriate approval needed.City Field Permit Guidance & Form
FEMA Assistance
FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Collier CountyVeterans Community Park1895 Veterans Park Drive, Naples 34109Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until further noticeResidents 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
What to Expect After you Apply for FEMA Assistance
What kind of Assistance can FEMA provide to Florida Hurricane Survivors
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 CountyThe Naples Players, 701 5th Avenue South, Naples, FL 34102Hours: 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 PierALL Beach accesses and some beach ends / parking areas (Police on ATVs will be patrolling beaches)Tennis Center in Cambier ParkLowdermilk Park City DockPhase 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-5:00pmRiver Park (except Aquatic Center)Fleischmann ParkBaker Park Cambier Park
Additional Information
Hybrid Remote Public Meeting - FEMA Town Hall - October 12th 6p-9pCollier County Commissioners Chambers3299 Tamiami Trail East, Naples | third floorPublic may attend remotely or in person.Click HERE for more information and registration for remote accessVisit our Hurricane Ian Information & Recovery Page: https://www.naplesgov.com/hurricaneCall the Hurricane Hotline 239-213-4900
City of Naples | mbarnhart@naplesgov.com | (239) 213-1001 | Website