Collier County estimates $280 million in Hurricane Milton damage.
As Collier County advances in its recovery efforts following Hurricane Milton, officials indicate that the damages to homes and businesses could surpass $280 million.
On Tuesday, officials from county emergency management provided a briefing to the Collier County Commission regarding the government’s response to the storm. They reported that, in spite of the challenges, the county consistently had a sufficient fuel supply, and all hospitals successfully maintained essential services.
One of the major concerns, however, was power outages that impacted traffic lights, hospitals, and lift stations, according to a recent article by Mahmoud Bennett of FOX4.
“In recent years, we’ve experienced considerable damage to our systems,” stated Dan Summers, the director of emergency management. “I believe there is no utility capable of fully replacing or reworking in the coastal environment. I believe we are witnessing a chain reaction of numerous past damages,” he added.
Businesses in the vicinity of downtown Naples experienced significant effects from the power outage. Keble Price, the proprietor of the Gondolier Inn, reported that his establishment experienced a power outage lasting several days.
“We were without power,” Price stated. “The power was out for about a week, which prevented us from honoring these reservations,” he added.
Price observed that although water infiltrated his hotel, the actual physical damage was limited thanks to their proactive measures. The absence of power posed their greatest challenge.
“We could have earned thousands of dollars,” Price remarked. “However, our attention isn’t on what we’ve lost. We focus on the larger perspective and appreciate that we didn’t have to go through the renovation process once more.” He expressed gratitude, saying, “We’re just thankful, thanks be to God.”
Collier County has announced that it is currently in the process of establishing a disaster recovery center. Commissioners are encouraging residents affected by Hurricane Milton to register with FEMA and to respond to emails quickly to prevent any delays in receiving assistance.
This article originally appeared on FOX4