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Collier officials reccomend evacuating ahead of Irma

Posted at 10:26 PM, Sep 05, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-05 22:26:41-04

Even if Hurricane Irma makes landfall on the east coast of Florida, Collier County could see significant storm surge.

"In some scenarios we could see 8 feet of storm surge estimated in the Naples Bay area, and we could see up to 23 feet in Chockoloskee," said Collier County Emergency Management Director Dan Summers.

That's not including the amount of rain this massive storm could bring,not something people who were already flood victims this year wanted to hear.

"I have a nice car, so I don't want to get flood damage on it, everyone has their house to worry about, so it's definitely a concern," said Edgar Cruz, who was debating whether to leave Naples before the storm.

But Michael Zaccheo isn't so concerned. He lives off Pine Ridge and Livingston, where the last round of rains didn't have a major impact.

Neither did previous storms.

"When Wilma came, the most that we ever had, the water came right up to the driveway like halfway up, it was maybe knee deep."

But Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk says Irma is much more powerful than previous hurricanes.  He's urging those who can to evacuate immediately.

"Just because you went through something a couple years ago, do not think it's going to be the same."

Summers says the county isn't providing sandbags, he recommends people fill bags with topsoil instead.