Southwest Florida crews prepare support as Isaias strengthens | Southwest Florida

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA (WINK) — Tropical Storm Isaias is not expected to directly impact Southwest Florida, but local crews and organizations are preparing to help communities that could be hit by the strengthening storm.

WINK Weather Authority says Isaias is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane over the Gulf before approaching the northern Gulf Coast. While Southwest Florida is expected to avoid direct impacts, rough seas and an increased rip current threat are possible beginning Thursday and continuing through the weekend.

Across Southwest Florida, utilities, emergency managers, first responders and nonprofit organizations are already preparing for the possibility that resources could be needed elsewhere.

Lee County Electric Cooperative told WINK it plans to send eight or nine lineworkers Sunday to assist with storm response. The utility is not activating its own storm response in Southwest Florida at this time.

Florida Power & Light is also moving crews closer to areas that could be impacted. FPL spokesperson John Pauldine told WINK the company is strategically prepositioning lineworkers from South Florida and other parts of the state across Northwest Florida. Pauldine said positioning crews ahead of the storm allows them to begin restoring power more quickly once conditions are safe.

He said it is still too early to know whether FPL will be asked to provide mutual assistance to other utilities, but said utilities routinely work together following major storms.

Lee County Public Safety and its partners are also monitoring Isaias and beginning the process of preparing resources for potential deployment.

Local fire and EMS leaders have been asked to compile a list of engine and ambulance strike teams that could be available for a 14-day deployment. At least one local employee who serves on Florida Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 6 could also be deployed. No fire or EMS resources had been formally requested as of Wednesday afternoon.

In Collier County, emergency managers said they have not received any mutual-aid requests but have notified partners that the county may have resources available if assistance is needed.

Charlotte County Emergency Management said it remains in an active monitoring posture and is participating in statewide coordination. The county said its personnel and resources remain ready to assist another jurisdiction if a request comes through the State Emergency Operations Center.

Nonprofit organizations are also preparing for the possibility of helping communities impacted by the storm.

Madison Mitchell, interim chief operating officer for United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades, said Southwest Florida’s experience recovering from major hurricanes has shown how important partnerships can be after a disaster.

“We unfortunately have gone through really dark days of these natural disasters, and so we know what it’s like to go through that as a community,” Mitchell said. “And so it’s really important that partners come together and support each other.”

United Way is not currently sending resources in response to Isaias, but Mitchell said the organization can assist other communities through Florida’s United Way network.

That assistance could include helping with 211 calls, handling donations or providing relief and recovery supplies through its Gifts in Kind program.

Mitchell said United Way also works closely with Lee County Public Safety and can become embedded inside the Emergency Operations Center during local disasters, helping coordinate resources among nonprofits and faith-based organizations.

The Southwest Florida Chapter of the American Red Cross is also closely monitoring the storm.

Executive Director John McKinnon said the local chapter is working with regional and national Red Cross teams and making sure volunteers are aware of the developing situation.

“Should there be a need, we would activate our team and be willing to mobilize in support of whatever relief efforts are happening in the impacted areas,” McKinnon said.

McKinnon said a response involving Southwest Florida would most likely include local volunteers deploying to areas affected by the storm. Larger supplies and relief resources would typically be staged through the Red Cross’ national network.

The Red Cross had not received any requests specific to Isaias as of Wednesday afternoon.

McKinnon also encouraged people in Southwest Florida to use the storm as a reminder to review their own hurricane plans, including evacuation zones, shelter locations and emergency supplies.

The Red Cross Emergency app provides weather alerts, shelter information and preparedness resources.