Disasters

Something that many people look at as "just" a hobby actually fulfills an important emergency niche during times when regular communications fail or aren't sufficient.Amateur radio operators — "Hams" in the vernacular — are often called upon to use their equipment during difficult times.Showing those skills recently were members of the Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club Inc. who participated in a national amateur radio Field Day exercise.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency helps people financially after disasters, but some disaster survivors say the agency is not clear on deadlines they need to meet for their recovery assistance.

Tuesday’s early morning collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore after being struck by a cargo ship is reminding long-time Florida residents of the Sunshine Skyway bridge collapse after it was similarly struck by a freighter nearly 44 years ago.

Extreme weather events have broken out around the world, but not yet here. Superheated sea surface temperatures may bring a big hurricane to Florida.. Get prepared now.

Out of all 50 states, Florida ranked first in damages with $116 billion attributed to the Sunshine State alone. It’s also the most expensive year for Florida in the 42-year history of the billion-dollar disaster report. Florida is the second-leading state in total costs across all years, behind Texas.

Anita Cereceda, a native of Florida and former mayor of Fort Myers Beach, spoke of what she found when she returned to her home Sunday. Cereceda also owned three businesses of the island, and hopes one can be rebuilt.

Insured or not, if you have been impacted by Hurricane Ian, FEMA has one message for you: register for assistance.

Oregon Tool, based in Portland, Oregon, and established in 1947, manufactures saw chains, bars and other equipment for the forestry, agriculture, and construction industries, and provides free chain saw sharpening services at disaster sites. The company has been providing the disaster service for about eight to 10 years.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis made a stop in Fort Myers, Friday, urging people to get prepared for hurricane season and to highlight first responders with the state’s Urban Search and Rescue Teams.

Monstrous rains from Hurricane Harvey, fresh from dumping more than 50 inches of rain across east Texas and displacing thousands, are now menacing…