LEE COUNTY, Fla. -- Dramatic rescues happening Monday in San Carlos Park after this weekend's heavy downpours.
The floodwaters forcing people from their homes, but it wasn't easy for them to get out. The floodwaters on Island Park Road, so deep heavy machinery had to be brought in to get them out.
San Carlos Fire District helped rescue over 130 people and dozens of pets.
The American Red Cross has opened a shelter for residents who had to evacuate their homes due to flooding. The shelter is at Estero Parks & Recreation Center located at 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd in Estero.
Volunteers say more than 100 people, including 27 children, are staying overnight. They are meeting one-on-one with people to help them plan their recovery and receive help from other agencies. The number of residents in the shelter is expected to grow.
STAY SAFE
As residents begin to clean up, the Red Cross encourages people to remember the following safety tips when returning home after flooding:
- Before entering your home, look outside for loose power lines, damaged gas lines, foundation cracks or other damage.
- If you smell natural or propane gas or hear a hissing noise, leave immediately and call the fire department.
- If power lines are down outside your home, do not step in puddles or standing water.
- Keep children and pets away from hazardous sites and floodwater.
- Materials such as cleaning products, paint, batteries, contaminated fuel and damaged fuel containers are hazardous. Check with local authorities for assistance with disposal to avoid risk.
- During cleanup, wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots.
- Make sure your food and water are safe. Discard items that have come in contact with floodwater, including canned goods, water bottles, plastic utensils and baby bottle nipples. When in doubt, throw it out!
- Contact your local or state public health department to see if your water supply might be contaminated. You may need to boil or treat it before use. Do not use water that could be contaminated to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, make ice or make baby formula!
For more information about flood safety, visit redcross.org
