Cape Coral residents urged to inspect utility poles after downed pole damages vehicles
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
A utility pole on Southwest 18th Place in Cape Coral snapped and fell during a storm, leading experts to urge homeowners to inspect their poles for signs of deterioration.
Residents said the pole had survived hurricanes Ian and Irma, but heavy wind and rain caused it to collapse last night, narrowly avoiding injuries or damage to homes.
“The wind and the rain was blowing like crazy, almost like a hurricane. And I saw the pole just go down like it was in slow motion. And bang, right on top of them on their white trucks,” Skip Olare, a Cape Coral resident, said.
Olare said he was relieved that the incident did not spark a fire, which could have created a bigger issue for the neighborhood.
“First, the fire trucks came and they blocked the street off, and then LCEC came with a couple of trucks and blocked the street off,” Olare said.
Homeowners are encouraged to check the base of utility poles in their yards for signs of rot or deterioration. LCEC advises aiming sprinkler systems away from the base of poles to prevent moisture from weakening them. Additionally, homeowners should avoid spraying fertilizer near or around the poles.
With the rainy season and high winds from storms, LCEC recommends inspecting poles at ground level for any damage. If homeowners are skeptical, LCEC encourages them to call for an inspection to avoid situations like this.
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