Sanibel, Florida - September 6, 2008 1:00 p.m.
News Release-For Immediate Release
Contact- Major Michael Murray (239) 472-3111
Hurricane Ike- Advisory #3

Hurricane Ike is currently 890 miles southeast of Sanibel traveling west-southwest near 16 mph. The forecast track has again shifted Hurricane Ike's path further south. This general motion is expected to continue today and tonight. Current sustained maximum winds are down slightly to 110 mph but Hurricane Ike is expected to strengthen by tonight.

Sanibel is still in the five day forecast cone and is expected to enter the three day forecast cone this evening. The City of Sanibel remains in preparatory phase.

The City of Sanibel continues to track and monitor Hurricane Ike and will report any changes in the current track that could potentially have an impact on Sanibel. The City of Sanibel also urges all residents, business owners, and visitors to also monitor Hurricane Ike and to stay prepared.

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Lee County Emergency Management
Saturday , September 06, 2008 11:00 AM

1. Hurricane Ike is located near 21.9 N and 68.8 W, present movement toward the West Southwest at 16 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph. This is now a strong Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
2. Lee County remains in the 5-Day Forecast Error Cone and we are expected to enter the 3-day error cone this evening.
3. Persons receiving this notice should monitor forecasts closely and be prepared to take protective actions should Watches and or Warnings be issued for our area.
4. We remind you not to follow the center line and as long as we are in the forecast error cone, Ike remains a threat.
5. The Lee County Emergency Operations Center remains at Level 2 (Partial Activation). We expect to go to Level 1 (Full) Activation on Monday.

Date: Friday, Sept. 5, 2008 Time: 16:45
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Diane Holm, Lee County Public Information Officer

Prepare was the key word coming out of a Lee County Emergency Operations briefing today at 3 p.m. in Fort Myers. Officials pointed out that the County is well within Hurricane Ike’s five-day forecast cone and will enter the three-day forecast cone over the weekend.

Residents have the weekend to get their hurricane kits ready with food, water, fresh batteries, medications and games for the children. It's time to prepare important papers, clothing, shoes, soap, toiletries and linens in case an evacuation is ordered for mobile homes, low lying areas and sub-standard housing. It's also time to identify the flood zone and hurricane storm surge zone of your home on the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) flood map.

Residents in need of sand bags should contact their local fire department. There will be 260 tons of additional sand delivered Monday. Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is still at activation level two, meaning prepare, but will move to a level one activation on Monday morning.

Once Hurricane Ike's path narrows Monday, any protective action that must be taken by residents will be announced. Protective action, such as evacuations and shelter openings, will be discussed during a briefing at the Lee County Emergency Operations Center, 2665 Ortiz Avenue, at 8 a.m. Monday, September 8, 2008.

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HURRICANE IKE ADVISORY NUMBER 24
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL092008
1100 PM AST SAT SEP 06 2008

...LARGE EYE OF EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HURRICANE IKE NEAR OR OVER THE
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS...

At 11 Pm Ast...0300 Utc...The Government Of Cuba Has Extended The Hurricane Warning To The Provinces Of Las Tunas And Granma And Has Extended The Hurricane Watch Westward To The Province Of Sancti Spiritus.

A Hurricane Warning Is Now In Effect For The Cuban Provinces Of Guantanamo...Santiago De Cuba...Holguin Las Tunas And Granma.

A Hurricane Warning Remains In Effect For The Turks And Caicos Islands And The Southeastern Bahamas Including The Acklins... Crooked Island...The Inaguas...Mayaguana...And The Ragged Islands...And For The Central Bahamas Including Cat Island...The Exumas...Long Island...Rum Cay... And San Salvador.

A Hurricane Warning Means That Hurricane Conditions Are Expected Within The Warning Area Within The Next 24 Hours. Preparations To Protect Life And Property Should Be Rushed To Completion.

A Tropical Storm Warning Remains In Effect For The Northern Coast Of The Dominican Republic From Cabo Frances Viejo Westward To The Northern Border With Haiti.

A Tropical Storm Warning Remains In Effect For The Northern Peninsula Of Haiti From The Northern Boarder With The Dominican Republic To Gonaives.

A Hurricane Watch Is Now In Effect For The Cuban Provinces Of Camaguey...Ciego De Avila And Sancti Spiritus.

All Interests In The Remainder Of The Bahamas...Cuba...South Florida...And The Florida Keys Should Closely Monitor The Progress Of This Potentially Dangerous Hurricane.

For Storm Information Specific To Your Area...Including Possible Inland Watches And Warnings...Please Monitor Products Issued By Your Local Weather Office.

At 1100 Pm Ast...0300z...The Large Eye Of Hurricane Ike Was Located Near Latitude 21.2 North...Longitude 70.9 West...Very Near The Turks And Caicos Islands.

Ike Is Moving Toward The West-Southwest Near 15 Mph...24 Km/Hr...And This Motion Is Expected To Continue Sunday With A Gradual Turn To The West Late Sunday. On This Track...The Core Of The Hurricane Will Begin To Affect The Southeastern Bahamas Early Sunday. Ike Should Then Move Near The Central Bahamas And The Northern Coast Of Eastern Cuba Sunday Night And Early Monday.

Maximum Sustained Winds Remain Near 135 Mph...215 Km/Hr...With Higher Gusts. Ike Is An Extremely Dangerous Category Four Hurricane On The Saffir-Simpson Scale. Some Strengthening Is Possible Before Ike Moves Over Eastern Cuba.

Hurricane Force Winds Extend Outward Up To 45 Miles...75 Km...From The Center...And Tropical Storm Force Winds Extend Outward Up To 140 Miles...220 Km.

Estimated Minimum Central Pressure Is 947 Mb...27.96 Inches. Storm Surge Flooding Of 13 To 18 Feet Above Normal Tide Levels... Along With Large And Dangerous Battering Waves...Can Be Expected In The Warning Area Near And To The North To The Of The Center Of Ike.

Large Swells Generated By Ike Will Affect Portions Of The Southeast United States Coast During The Next Couple Of Days. These Waves Could Generate Dangerous And Life-Threatening Rip Currents.

Rainfall Amounts Of 4 To 8 Inches With Isolated Maximum Amounts Of 12 Inches Are Expected Over The Turks And Caicos Islands And Southeastern Bahamas. Hispaniola And Eastern Cuba Could See 6 To 12 Inches Of Rain With Isolated Maximum Amounts Of Up To 20 Inches Possible. These Rains Could Cause Life-Threatening Flash Floods And Mudslides Over Mountainous Terrain.

Repeating The 1100 Pm Ast Position...21.2 N...70.9 W. Movement Toward...West-Southwest Near 15 Mph. Maximum Sustained Winds...135 Mph. Minimum Central Pressure...947 Mb.

An Intermediate Advisory Will Be Issued By The National Hurricane Center At 200 Am Ast Followed By The Next Complete Advisory At 500 Am Ast.

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