BONITA NEWS

June 3, 2007

Hanging back on hurricane helpers

By Jennifer Brannock

http://www.bonitanews.com/news/2007/jun/03/hanging_back_hurricane_helpers/?local_news

Tropical Storm Barry brushed the shores of western Florida this past weekend, kicking off what forecasters predict will be a boisterous hurricane season.

Despite the close call, Southwest Floridians went on with business as usual Sunday, perusing hurricane aisles, but not necessarily buying, so it’s hard to tell if people are prepared.

“It’s a little early to say,” said Jack Bowles, assistant manager at Home Depot, near Davis Boulevard and Airport-Pulling Road.

“If you skip a year (of storms), like last year, people get complacent.”

The tax-free hurricane supply holiday, which ends June 12, has motivated some homeowners to the aisles of supply stores.

Anthony Ruggiero, assistant manager of Lowe’s at 6409 Naples Blvd., said many are browsing big items such as generators and hurricane shutters, but are walking away with gas cans, batteries and other inexpensive objects.

Still, Ruggiero said, looking and preparing for purchases marks progress over this time last year.

“I think people have had an awakening that they had better be prepared earlier,” he said. “I think they’re shopping better this year, and at least they’re coming out and looking.”

Ruggiero said a new, hot hurricane item has emerged this year. He said the Lowe’s store already sold out of battery-powered cellular phone chargers.

Hans Litsher of Naples said he is prepared with some small items, such as extra gas, food and bottled water.

“I think I’m ready,” said Litsher. “I’m not nervous, because I was here for (Hurricane) Wilma.”

Although she has some supplies, Neapolitan Angela Rueda said she will spend the season on-guard.

“You are never prepared,” she said. “I’m worried, because it’s scary. You never know what is going to happen.”

Storm preparation is old hat for married couple Rose Velez and Carlos Ortiz. The pair is used to battling frequent storms; they were both raised on the storm-battered island of Puerto Rico.

“We’ve got a lot of dry food, water and we’re stocked up on our medicines,” Velez said. “We know what can happen.”

Lee County residents are preparing too, but in different ways.

For 20-year Bonita Springs resident Debra Hale, 51, it means taking inventory and then taking advantage of the sales tax holiday for hurricane goods.

For six-week Fort Myers resident Pete Gasparrini, 32, it means starting from scratch. At this point, he said, “I’ve got storm shutters and that’s it. I don’t know the routes. I don’t know the shelters.”

For five-year Bonita residents Lana Foster, 28, and Nick Batty, 33, it means get the surfboards out.

And as 10-year Bonita resident Daniel Camacho, 73, walked into Ace Hardware on Bonita Beach Road for hurricane supplies Sunday, he said he’s seen a lot of people buying things.

“I don’t know how prepared they are, but I am,” he said.

When it comes to preparing a family for hurricane season, eight-year Bonita resident Lisa Wasson, 40, said she stays well ahead of the threat. When the season ends, she stocks up.

“You got to secure your home,” she said.

“You have to be prepared ... It eases the kids.”