County Urges Contractor Storm Preparations

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (Oct. 6, 2024) - Charlotte County is expected to face storm conditions this week. Construction materials and debris can cause significant damage if unsecured during high winds and can cause blockage of the county's drainage swales.

In preparation for the possible storm conditions, the Community Development Department is requesting contractors to begin securing their work sites as soon as possible with attention paid to the following:

• Identify vulnerable work in progress and determine how best to protect it, and others, from damage.
• Be prepared to remove, anchor, or restrain everything that could blow away such as trash, lumber, portable toilets, etc., that can become windblown hazards.
• Ensure that all construction debris is secured or placed in an on-site dumpster. If dumpsters are half or fuller, consider arranging to have them emptied before the weekend.
• Where possible, ensure your on-site dumpster is covered.
• If roofing materials are on site, or will be delivered, but won't be installed before storm weather conditions arrive, be prepared to secure them as weather conditions may warrant.
• Remove the permit yard cardboard and job site signage if warranted by weather conditions.
• Ensure erosion control silt fencing is securely installed.
• Keep all swales clear.

Please keep in mind this time of year that our ground is already very saturated with rainwater, so it is imperative all swales are free of construction materials, so water can flow. Please repair silt fencing and remove any fill dirt that is blocking the swales and clean out culverts. Ensure anything that can be rain-proofed is protected and, wherever possible, move your construction equipment to a secure area.

Remember: Do not drive through floodwaters or go near downed power lines or near any other hazards. After an event, contractors will be notified by email and information will be posted to the Community Development pages on the county website for any special instructions relating to permitting.

Charlotte County urges residents to stay vigilant, monitor the storm's progress, review emergency plans, and ensure hurricane kits are ready. For more information, view the county's disaster guide at www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov/disasterguide.

For information, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Follow Charlotte County Emergency Management for important emergency information at www.charlottecountyfl.gov/em, www.facebook.com/oemcharlottecounty, and www.x.com/ccoem.

For media inquiries, contact Communications Director Brian Gleason at 941-661-6415 or [email protected].

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