Hendry County residents still wary despite Dorian’s eastward shift

Southwest Florida’s inland communities have been on high alert the past few days.

Hendry County issued a state of emergency and planned to open some of their shelters Saturday. That was before the National Weather Service said the county would no longer be in it’s path. But neighbors are still worried.

Jeremy Delgado says he and his neighbors don’t plan on leaving town anytime soon.

“I think everything will be alright, I think we’ll be fine,” he said.

On Saturday, they prepped for Dorian and whatever the storm might bring their way; boarding up the windows and buying supplies. They say regardless if it hits or not, they want to be ready.

“Making sure we have everything for the storm in case the power goes out,” said Delgado.

Despite Dorian’s changing track, a state of emergency remains in affect for Hendry County. They’re encouraging neighbors who live in flood prone areas, RVs and mobile homes to evacuate.

“We encourage our residents if they’re thinking about or planning to evacuate that they do it in tens of miles in small increments with family and friends that have small structures,” said Hendry County EOC Director Richard Lehmkuhl.

That affects Delgado and his neighbor Jose Yanes who remember the impacts of Irma and Wilma.

“Everything was full of water and you couldn’t drive nowhere,” said Yanes.

“Wilma really affected Clewiston a lot,” said Delgado. “It did a lot of damage. There was flooding. People were like, swimming to get to their doorsteps.”

They say they’re keeping a watchful eye and hoping that the same thing doesn’t happen again in the days to come.

Hendry County Emergency Management says they continue to monitor the storm. They, along with Glades County, are ensuring anyone with special needs that they do have the option to shelter.

That shelter will open on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. at the West Glades School located at 2586 County Road 731, LaBelle, FL 33935.

In addition, there is still potential for flooding in the area. Sandbagging locations are still available. Anyone with questions can call the United Way hotline at 211.