Southwest Florida emergency operations leaders held their first conference call with the media Wednesday afternoon. It’s a new way to communicate in the event of an emergency. They shared some information regarding preparations for Tropical Storm Dennis. Charlotte County ECO manager Wayne Sallade says not to panic.

“And when this forecast presents a concern for us beyond a ten percent probability, which is about where the Fort Myers area sits right now then there’s some action that can be taken but personally Charlotte County is not in a position at this point to recommend any protective measures and we would be the first to be doing that since I’ve got people living in travel trailers in their front yards.”

He does suggest people check and replenish supplies and monitor storm forecasts. Sallade also warns that Charley was less than half a hurricane – all wind and no water. Whereas Hurricane Earle in 1998 passed well out in the gulf and left a foot of water in downtown Punta Gorda.