Sanibel Urging Business Owners To File Their Economic Losses Related To Lake Okeechobee Discharges.
“The City of Sanibel and the Sanibel & Captiva Islands’ Chamber of Commerce urge Sanibel businesses experiencing economic losses related to Lake Okeechobee discharges to file report with the Florida Virtual Business Emergency Operations Center (FLVBEOC).”
The City Of Sanibel issued the following news release last evening.
File Photo: Sanibel Red Tide Photo, Sanibel & Captiva Islands, 2013.
“The Florida Virtual Business Emergency Operations Center (FLVBEOC), is recording economic losses from frequent discharges of floodwaters from Lake Okeechobee by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has been activated by the State Emergency Response Team. The City of Sanibel and the Sanibel & Captiva Islands’ Chamber of Commerce are issuing a joint statement urging Sanibel business owners to file their economic losses related to Lake Okeechobee discharges with the FLVBEOC.
“We want to be certain the economic impact of the Lake Okeechobee releases to our community’s business community are recorded and accounted for by the State. Both the City and the Chamber urge all those impacted to take the time to complete this simple on-line damage assessment survey,” stated Sanibel Mayor Kevin Ruane. Chamber of Commerce President Ric Base added, “It is extremely important that all businesses respond to this survey.”
The center will assist in assessing the impact the discharges and flooding have had on local businesses in Lee, Martin and St. Lucie counties. The Center is a partnership between the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Center for Disaster Risk Policy at Florida State University.
Sanibel businesses suffering economic losses stemming from the frequent Lake Okeechobee discharges can complete a “Business Damage Assessment Survey” available at: flvbeoc.org/index.php?action=bda. Select the “Lake Okeechobee Discharge” event.
The survey results will be shared with various state and local agencies to expedite implementation of appropriate disaster relief programs for affected businesses.”
