Charlotte County, still reeling from Hurricane Ian, prepares for Nicole

Tropical Storm Nicole is expected to dump several inches of rain on an already-battered Charlotte County, where debris still lines the streets, tarps still cover roofs and county employees prepare to keep people safe.

Patrick Fuller, director of Charlotte County Emergency Management, tells people to watch local news sources and every advisory regarding Nicole. He says that’s exactly what county employees are doing in his department. Charlotte County also suggests residents take precautions by shuttering their windows and doors if they plan on riding out the storm in their homes.

Although Fuller says the county only expects heavy winds and 2 to 4 inches of rain from Nicole, his team is prepared to open shelters if necessary.

“We’re keeping a close eye on if we need to ensure that our folks have a safe place to go,” Fuller said. “We have plans in place to do that if we need to. But we’re hoping that our residents pay close attention to this. They know their homes better than anyone else. They know the impact that their home just took from Ian, and what level of damage they have. And if they don’t feel safe there, then they need to seek other means to shelter.”

Fuller says he knows the area just experienced Category Four Hurricane Ian, so many homes are suffering from some sort of structural damage; even minimal wind and rain can make it unsafe for many people to stay put.

“We have a great team here who works well together,” Fuller said. “And hurricanes are not a new thing. Everyone here in the county has already gone through a major impact, and they’re prepared to respond if necessary.”

Charlotte County officials say debris is still being picked up. In a tweet, Charlotte County Emergency Management says it is preparing for sustained winds of between 20 and 30 mph. Emergency response crews will only stay off the road if winds hit 39 mph or higher.