IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, September 24, 2004 at 3 p.m.

Local emergency managers and agencies held a 3 p.m. briefing today to discuss preparations for Hurricane Jeanne. Here's the latest:

• The current forecasted storm track has Jeanne hitting the east coast of Florida, then tracking to the north along the coast.
• Based on that track, Lee County could experience tropical storm force winds of 30-38 mph beginning late Saturday night to Sunday noon.
• Rainfall predicted at 1-2 inches of rain on the coast and 2-4 inches inland.
• Lee County EOC is recommending no evacuations or shelter openings, including special needs shelters, at this time.
• A decision about whether to open some shelters to host evacuees from the east coast will be made Saturday morning.
• The Lee EOC will partially activate (level 2) at 7 a.m. Sat. morning; and the storm information hotline, 477-1900, will be activated at that time.
• The next local briefing will be at 11 a.m. Saturday.
• REMEMBER, the forecasted tracks are subject to variability. Lee County EOC is urging residents to closely monitor the media, and review preparedness plans as forecasted tracks are variable.