Just coaxed the dogs outside...it's chilly!!!! (at least by Florida standards, LOL)
http://stormedition.naplesnews.com/news/2005/oct/24/commissioner_relieved_lack_damage/
Commissioner relieved at lack of damage
By Larry Hannan (Contact)
Monday, October 24, 2005
Fred Coyle never thought he'd be relieved while a Category 3 hurricane was within Collier County.
But when Coyle, the Collier commission chairman, left the safety of the county's Emergency Operations Center to survey the damage within the city of Naples he was relieved to find the damage from Hurricane Wilma wasn't as bad as he feared.
Coyle found flooding wasn't that bad and no structures had been seriously damaged. That cheered Coyle up even after his car stalled due to the flooding and he had to be rescued by another county vehicle.
Most of the downtown area has 2 to 3 feet of water in the roads and swalls, but that isn't coming from storm surge. It's coming from the rain, Coyle said.
"The power is out and we have a lot of debris in the streets," Coyle said. "This is as good as can be expected."
Coyle said observed more damage when he was driving around Naples. He saw downed power lines around the Gordon River bridge that had not been knocked down when he first left the EOC.
The commissionerÂ’s car stalled at Ninth Street South and Ninth Avenue South. That was an area with particularly deep water, he said.
Coyle expressed frustration that the back part of the storm was so powerful.
"We had hoped once the eye had passed we would get a break," Coyle said. "That doesn't seem to be happening." At 8:30 a.m. a 120 mile per hour gust of wind was recorded at the EOC, which is at the intersection of Airport Road and U.S. 41.
Speaking at 7 a.m. from the Collier Emergency Operations Center, Emergency Management Director Dan Summers said early reports indicated minimal storm surge in East Naples, North Naples and the city of Naples.
Marco did get some surge. Summers said there are reports that Collier Boulevard is under water on the southern part of the island near Caxambas Pass.
The county has no reports on Everglades City, and that is the area of most concern now, Summers said.
"All the reports are still sketchy," Summers said. "But the news appears to be good so far."
The speed of the hurricane may have limited storm surge, Summers said.
County officials hope Wilma passes by noon. The eye of the storm passed over Cape Romano earlier in the day.
urges people to remain hunkered down. Don't be fooled by the lull in the eye. Wait until storm has completely passed. West side will be as strong or stronger. Sugnificant flloding in the Keys. Onshore winds will remain so will take a while to subside. Threat of tornadoes will continue until 11 AM same for east coast flood warning. Residents of Keys should continue to shelter in place. Day after the storm is when many people tragically lose their lofe. Saty off roads, keep open for emergency vehicles. Fla NG on the move 3000 mobilized another 3K on alert. (paraphrasing) ...