Ladies and Gentlemen:
The purpose of this message is to provide information to you regarding the
conditions in Naples following yesterday's Hurricane Irma.
The reports provided by the national news services fairly represented actual
conditions. Hurricane-force winds were ferocious. Maximum wind speed of
142 m.p.h. was reported. The eye wall, the most powerful part of the
hurricane, passed over Naples and was followed by the calm "eye". Rather
than experiencing hurricane-force winds after the eye passed through, the
wind velocity, while significant, did not approach the velocity of the front
quadrant. We understand that significant hurricane force winds did continue
further inland. Winds continued through the night and began to subside by
day break.
Electrical power is lost in most areas. Because of state-wide outages,
electrical service may not be restored for days, or perhaps weeks. Water
service is not available in some neighborhoods. Numerous water line breaks,
caused by up-rooted trees, have drained the water system. The water
treatment plant continues to provide water, but full-service will not be
available to some areas until the water lines are repaired. We hope to
complete most repairs within three days.
The storm surge continued to rise throughout the night. Instead of the
predicted 10' to 15' storm surge, we estimate the actual storm surge was at
a height at 2' to 3' because of the lower wind velocity in the back side of
the hurricane. Some flooding of structures may have occurred in the Tin
City area. There are no reports of storm surge flooding of other
residential and business properties. Some streets are impassable because of
standing water.
Because of fallen trees, getting into the city is difficult or impossible.
Almost all streets within the city are blocked because of fallen trees,
branches, and power lines. Driveway access may be blocked. Hundreds of
the new decorative stop signs are lost. The Naples Pier was damaged.
Cambier Park is a mess, and the Fleishmann Community Center was damaged.
The Fire Station at the Naples Airport was destroyed. Loss of trees on the
public rights-of-way and private property is substantial, as are other
landscaping. Expect to find damaged roof-top equipment, such as air
conditioning units, fences, pool cages, and attachments to structures, and
limited loss of roof shingles.
Again, we caution that it may be some time before electrical service is
restored. Your city's staff and City Council have no control over FPL's
restoration of service, nor are we able to learn when service will be
restored. Also, we do not know when Comcast, Verizon, or other services
will be restored.
Over-all, your city is a mess.
And now for the good news. While your city looks wrecked, almost all of it
can be quickly cleaned up. Much of the damaged landscape will survive if
properly cared for, and trees can be replaced. Water will soon recede,
traffic signals will be repaired, and decorative street signs will be
replace. We have observed very little structural damage to residential and
business properties. We may learn that some homes are damaged because of
fallen trees, but wind damage is not readily apparent for most homes,
condominiums, and businesses.
Most of the Naples City employees sheltered within the city throughout the
hurricane. This allowed continuation of critical services until tropical
force winds required that all seek shelter. Personnel mobilized at sunrise
today. Their first mission is to clear the main roads so that you may
return home. Access to some areas is not possible because of downed power
lines and flooding. Naples Police are patrolling neighborhoods, and
Fire-Rescue is assisting with road clearing, fire, and medical response.
For those who left the city, we recommend that you do not return to today.
You may find that you cannot drive to your home. Because we are focused on
a strategic street clearing plan, we cannot help individuals to gain access
to their street. We expect to have the main roads partially opened by the
end of the day, and most residential side streets in the next few days.
Even if successful in meeting this schedule, downed power lines may prevent
access, and streets may be partially blocked by trees and limbs. Some
streets are flooded. Many driveways are blocked by up-rooted trees. There
is access to most business properties, although most are closed as of this
date.
There is a county-wide curfew from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Please limit
driving to essential tasks. Cautious driving is recommended due to hazardous
conditions, missing stop signs, limited line-of-sight at intersections, and
obstacles. It is recommended that water be boiled before use until further
notice. Of course, the ability to boil water may be limited with the power
outages, so bottled water is the best option.
The requirement that landscape firms must haul away landscape debris is
temporarily suspended. Property owners and landscape firms may place
landscape debris on the right-of-way, immediately adjacent to your property.
Please inform your landscape firm that they may place your landscape debris
next to the street. Do not place debris on the street or sidewalk. We ask
that landscape debris be placed by the street as soon as possible. Your
city has made arrangements to pick up storm debris. Contractors are now
mobilizing for pickup and will begin soon.
Please share this message with your association members, friends, and
associates.
Best wishes,
Bill Moss
City Manager
City of Naples
bmoss@naplesgov.com
Comment: My brother in law has a condo at
Bears Paw in Naples
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