BUSINESS PREPAREDNESS
With the hurricane season upon us, be sure you have everything prepared before the storm. CLICK HERE for the business preparedness guide.
The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral, in collaboration with the City of Cape Coral, has launched the Business Emergency Coordination Center (BECC) to enhance communication with local businesses and residents. Use the links below to update your business status, submit questions, or view a list of open businesses. The BECC will be activated during any emergency to provide the most up-to-date information. Stay informed and ready!
BECC – Submit Your Business Status Report – MILTON
BECC – Submit A Question For The Chamber/EOC
CLICK HERE FOR OPEN BUSINESS LIST (MILTON)
HURRICANE MILTON RESOURCE PAGES
City of Cape Coral – Milton
Lee County Government – Milton
Small Business Development Center – Hurricane Milton
FEMA – Hurricane Milton
FloridaDisaster.org – Hurricane Milton Updates
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Website
Small Business Administration (SBA) Website
Ready.gov Hurricane Resources
https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
https://unitedwaylee.org/united-way-211/
https://www.usa.gov/disaster-area-help
https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Emergency-Operations/Blue-Roof-Information/
National Hurricane Center
LCEC Storm Center
LCEC Hurricane Guide
LOCATE SANDBAGS
Business Resiliency Tips
Register at Alert Lee
Know Your Evacuation Zone
RECOVERY RESOURCES
Rebuild Florida: Rebuild Florida was created by FloridaCommerce to help Florida’s long-term recovery efforts from recent hurricanes. FloridaCommerce oversees Community Development Block Grant- Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding for hurricanes Hermine, Matthew, Irma, and Michael as well as CDBG-Mitigation funding. The state of Florida is committed to helping homeowners, small businesses and communities recover from recent storms and become more resilient to future disasters.
Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund: The Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund, a resiliency loan fund provided through a partnership with the U.S. Economic Development Administration, is assisting businesses that experienced physical damage or economic injury from Hurricane Irma. It provides longer-term loans with higher funding levels at market interest rates. Up to $500,000 in financing can be provided to an eligible business for the following purposes: inventory purchases, construction or renovation, working capital needs, capital start-up loans, machinery and equipment purchases, equipment financing, and more.
Florida Division of Emergency Management Latest Updates: Please click here to get the latest information on any state emergency activation, including evacuation zones, road closures, mobile access, shelters, contact information and more.
Emergency State Assistance Information Line: The State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) is a toll-free hotline activated at the time of an emergency to provide an additional resource for those in Florida to receive accurate and up-to-date information regarding an emergency or disaster situation impacting the State of Florida. The SAIL hotline is: 1-800-342-3557.
Florida SBDC Network: The Florida SBDC Network provides tools, training and resources to help small businesses grow and succeed including disaster preparedness, response and recovery. The Florida SBDC Network has more than 40 offices from Pensacola to Key West to serve the needs of Florida’s business community.
Disaster Business Damage Assessment Survey: Businesses that are damaged after a state-designated emergency can fill our the Damage Assessment Survey to provide information about the damage and connect with available resources. The information provided in this survey will be shared among various state and local agencies to expedite implementation of appropriate disaster relief programs for businesses.
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program: The purpose of the Emergency Bridge Loan Program is to provide a source of expedient cash flow to Florida small businesses impacted by a disaster. These short-term, interest-free working capital loans are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a major catastrophe hits and when a business has secured longer term recovery resources, such as sufficient profits from a revived business, receipt of payments on insurance claims or federal disaster assistance.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance: The purpose of Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is to provide benefits and reemployment services to individuals who have become unemployed as a result of a major disaster.
EmployFlorida Disaster Recovery Jobs Portal: Find jobs related to recent disasters.
Volunteer Florida: Volunteer Florida is the state’s lead agency for volunteers and donations before, during and after disasters. In partnership with the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Volunteer Florida coordinates with Florida Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and local and state government emergency management agencies to meet volunteer and donation needs and mobilizes and deploys resources to assist communities responding to and recovering from disaster.
Disaster Contractors Network Portal: This portal connects property owners and building professionals with storm related goods and services provided by licensed contractors.
TAX ROLL VALUE LETTER FROM LEEPA.ORG
To ensure your eligibility for any available Hurricane Ian relief, tell the Lee County Property Appraisers Office about your property damage by using this hurricane reporting link. You can also directly upload photos and other information on their website.
Your Tax Roll Value Letter is now available: Use the Quick Search on leepa.org to find your parcel and select Parcel Details from the links on the search results page. From the Property Data page, create the Letter using the link in the Current Working Values section.
CALL 311 BEFORE MAKING REPAIRS
The City of Cape Coral advises residents who own a home built before 1981 not to make repairs until December 1, 2022. The 50% Rule, a regulation of the National Flood Insurance Program, requires structures with damage exceeding 50% of their market value to be rebuilt consistent with the current flood elevation and Florida Building Code. The city doesn’t want residents to pay additional costs to repair structures before determining whether it has received 50% or more damage. Cape Coral’s City Council is expediting the approval of an ordinance that may remove regulations, to make it easier on the homeowner when determining calculations for the 50% Rule. FOR MORE INFO: https://bit.ly/3MSe3oz
IMPORTANT RESOURCES & LINKS
IEDC Restore Your Economy WEBSITE
www.FloridaDisaster.biz
In the wake of a hurricane, updates will be made with recovery programs and resources as they become available. Information will be pushed out to ensure that all of you have the best information to make recovery decisions for your business and the community.
Roadmap to Federal Resources for Disaster Recovery Guide The guide is useful for common challenges about all recovery efforts, and it lists the 10 most common economic recovery challenges beginning on page 9.
LCEC POWER RESTORATION
Visit www.lcec.net for updates.
WASTE PRO STORM PICKUP SCHEDULE
Visit https://www.wasteprousa.com/cape-coral/
ELECTRICAL INSPECTIONS
– If you have damage between your electrical pole and home (e.g., riser, weather head), an electrical inspection is needed for power restoration. Email [email protected] or [email protected].
– Inspection Hotline: (239) 574-0555
PARKS & RECREATION
– Visit the Parks & Recreation home page to see the latest list of what’s open and what’s temporarily closed during a storm.
MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE
– National Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990.
– NAMI Helpline: 1-800-950-6264 or text 9-8-8.
– United Way: Call 2-1-1.
WANT TO HELP?
* If you want to volunteer, contact the Red Cross, Volunteer Florida, CORE, Crisis Relief and Recovery, Disaster Aid USA, Crisis Cleanup,
or the United Way at 2-1-1.
INTERNET PROVIDERS
Residents should contact their Internet providers with questions on service updates.
Comcast: 800-934-6489
CenturyLink: 800-201-4099
Quantum Fiber: 833-250-6306
DIAL 3-1-1 OR (239) 573-3000 TO GET INFORMATION FROM 7:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
How do I get a replacement trash and/or recycle bin?
If your cart/bin went missing due to the storm, please report this to 311. A new cart will be delivered by Waste Pro staff as soon as possible.
OTHER QUESTIONS
I think my seawall is damaged and/or is collapsing who should I call?
The maintenance and repair of a seawall is the responsibility of the homeowner. If a resident has an outflow pipe to a canal in/near their seawall they are asked to call 311 and report it to the City.
What should I do if I see a stop sign, street sign or channel marker damaged or missing?
Report the issue to 311.
I live out of town and cannot reach a family member. Can someone check on her to make sure she is okay?
Please call the Police Department’s non-emergency number at (239) 574-3223.
I have a winter home in Cape Coral but live out of state. Who do I call to have someone check the condition of my house?
Please call the Police Department’s non-emergency number at (239) 574-3223.
How am I advised if I need to boil water?
The City utilizes several methods to communicate boil water notices. Please visit the following link:
http://www.capecoral.net/department/utilities_department/boil_water_notice.php# .WbmWn2epW70
For wastewater/sewer backups who should I call?
Call 311.
How can I get potable water if my well isn’t working?
The City is providing free potable water at two locations for Lee County residents; Mariner Middle School and the Northwest Regional Library. Locations are open Tuesday from 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Wed through Sunday 8 a.m. through 8 p.m.
I need assistance clearing my private property can someone help me?
Residents can call the United Way at 211 or DisasterAssistance.Gov. For residents who do not have internet access they can call 800-621-FEMA.
Want to help?
We request for safety and efficiency that those who are interested in volunteering to contact the United Way by calling 2-1-1 or (239) 433-3000 to coordinate efforts.
Need help?
If you need assistance with damage from Hurricane Ian, call (800) 451-1954. Crisis Cleanup will connect you with volunteers who may be able to assist.
CIRCUIT BREAKER:
*Turn off the breaker. If you have a roof leak, TURN OFF your circuit breaker even if you have no power. When the power is eventually restored, this could cause a fire for underlying electrical issues.
GENERATOR:
*Do not “back feed” power. You MUST have a dedicated outlet for your generator. It would be best if you were not back-feeding to a breaker manually. A licensed electrician must properly install your outlet and breaker. If it is not, it causes the potential to back feed, causing significant hazards.
What is back-feeding? Back feeding is tying a portable generator directly to your home’s electrical panel instead of using a transfer switch. It is dangerous, often illegal, and it should never be attempted under any circumstance. Back feeding will put you and others, including utility workers, at serious risk for electrocution and/or electrical fire.
*Be aware of hazards. Awareness is key to safe generator use. Common hazards include shocks and electrocution from incorrect use, carbon monoxide (CO) from a generator’s exhaust, fires from improper refueling or fuel storage, and noise/vibration hazards.
*Proper ventilation is key. Do not use a gasoline-powered generator within 20 feet of any window, door, or vent. Don’t run a generator in a garage, even with the door open.
*Stay Grounded. Always follow the owner’s manual instructions on how to “ground” the generator.
*Keep generators dry and clear of debris. Clear 3 to 4 feet around the generator to create airflow space to avoid a fire. Never run generators in the rain or when wet. Place the generator in a dry area or under an open canopy structure.
*Avoid electrical hazards. Plug appliances directly into the generator. If you must use an extension cord, it should be 3-pronged, grounded, heavy-duty, and labeled for outdoor use.
*Organize your cords. Keep cords out of the way but in plain view to avoid slips, trips, and falls. Check cords regularly for damage (such as cuts or fraying) that could cause a fire.
*Hot. Hot. Hot. Even if operated for a short time, generator exteriors can quickly become hot. If you must touch the generator, wear protective gear. To avoid electric shock or electrocution, do not try to fix or work on a generator while it is on or plugged in.
*Be prepared and aware. Always keep a fully charged fire extinguisher nearby. If you or others show symptoms of CO poisoning – light-headedness, dizziness, tiredness, or nausea – go outside immediately for fresh air, and seek medical attention.