Local & County Reports 

Message from Boca Grande Fire Chief C.W. Blosser

Sunday, September 29, 2024 12:15 PM – The pumping is working on Gasparilla Road. Lee County DOT is pleased with progress and if nothing else pops up (rain) we may get the road open possibly tomorrow. Lee DOT will monitor progress and adjust pumps as needed.

There were concerns pumping would not work and alternate plans were being formulated. Obviously now we will keep pumping.

G.I.W.A. (Gasparilla Island Water Association) is getting the lift stations back up. Their progress is also slowed by the flooding. Mitigating Gasparilla Rd will help them as well. The water delivery system is fine. We are still waiting on a sand and debris plan from Lee County.

Boca Grande Update from Lee County

Sunday, September 29, 2024 – Lee County is providing an update on post-Hurricane Helene efforts in Boca Grande:

Lee DOT

Was on Boca Grande on Friday to assess the situation.
Boca Grande experienced significant levels of flooding on the roadways, and water levels were exacerbated by Saturday’s additional rainfall.
DOT teams completed first push of accessible roads to ensure they were passable.
DOT worked to expedite drying out of Gasparilla Road by installing pumps to move water out of retention areas, and these efforts are ongoing today.
DOT is coordinating with Lee County Natural Resources to explore additional methods to improve drainage of Gasparilla Road.
DOT teams cleared all roadside drainage outfalls to help restore functionality of the remainder of the drainage design.
DOT is mobilizing debris/sand removal operations to Boca Grande, and these efforts will continue until roadside debris has been collected.

Solid Waste

Contracted waste trucks (WM) were turned away by bridge authority on Friday and Saturday due to conditions. Standing water hindered surveys on Saturday.
Two debris truck already allocated for collection tomorrow. Will be dispatched to Boca Grande in the morning.
Arranging for disposal at the Charlotte transfer station by Monday.
Informed Boca Grande Fire Chief last night that material must be moved to curbside and must be residential.

Community Development – Boca Grande Damage Assessment and Post-Disaster Permitting:

Starting Monday
Deploy three damage assessment teams to Boca Grande once streets are accessible.
Will distribute flyers on permitting requirements to owners of properties with damage during assessments.
Begin to identify location for remote permitting operation on island – checking with Parks and Facilities departments on available spaces.
Beginning week of Oct. 7
Stand up remote permitting operation – include staff from historic, permitting, plan review and development services.
Provide services up Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Assess volume for following week.

Facilities Construction & Management

Crews began their initial assessment on Friday
Initially had difficulty accessing the island due to flooded roadways.
Initial assessment was water damage to the Community Center and The Boca School.
The team finished their assessment at the school and community center on Saturday and clean-up began shortly after.
Boca Grande library assessment.
Water intrusion in the media and children’s area.
Teams continued to collect initial data on all remaining Boca sites and additional assessments and clean-up were performed Sunday at the school and community center.
Facilities expects to conclude all building assessments on Monday.

Parks & Recreation

Park rangers are on island and continue to monitor situation and assist as needed.
Working with Facilities on remediation and repairs to the Community Center.
Assessing impacts to other facilities and parks on Boca Grande.