Hurricane Irma Updates

Update 9/12 at 11:00 P.M.:

From Volunteers of America: As the storm has settled, we are truly blessed for the outcome at Gulf Coast Village. We’re proud the associates that cared and held together as a team through Hurricane Irma – service residents, families and the community.

The tough past has been when associates went home. They found a mess, losing all food in their refrigerators and freezers. Most homes had some damage; albeit less than it could have been. For associates to get back on their feet – once power is restored – will be a challenge.

Many have asked if they can help in some way in this time of need. VOA will disperse these monies in direct grants for associates who have need. There are other services and programs that will be available, but often there are gaps that VOA can help with, as well as getting monies to them quicker. 100% of any donation will go to associates.

Donation Link: Please direct the donation to “Gulf Coast Village Associates” in the Comments field under the Email Address form field. Other VOA programs in Florida and Puerto Rico are underway, so please direct the donation to “Gulf Coast Village Associates” otherwise we will divide your donation in thirds.

If you are able to contribute, it will be greatly appreciated and well used!

Update 9/12 at 2:07 P.M.:

FEMA is providing hotel rooms to households that qualify for assistance. If you are without power and/or water, visit their website and submit an application to see if you qualify for a hotel room. https://www.fema.gov/transitional-shelter-assistance.

UPDATE 9/12 AT 11:30 A.M.:

Attention Associates: If you’ve been affected by Hurricane Irma and require assistance, please inform your supervisor as soon as possible. Gulf Coast Village is compiling resources along with Volunteers of America to provide assistance to Associates who were the most affected. We will have ice and water available from 2 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for Associates. Please bring a container for ice. Keep checking Facebook for updates. We’ll continue to address issues as they arise. Thank you.

UPDATE 9/11 AT 4:55 P.M.:

Gulf Coast Village is very fortunate. Ensuring the safety of its residents, associates and guests was top priority as Hurricane Irma barreled through south Florida. The community worked diligently to execute its Hurricane Emergency Plan, while housing nearly 900 people on its premises through the duration of the storm. That number included residents and their families, associates and their families, pets, and 18 residents from a nearby assisted living community that was evacuated. Everyone present was thankfully unharmed.

Amid widespread loss of power, the community’s electric and communication networks remained intact. Preliminary assessments indicate that landscaping faced cosmetic damage, but building structures are in good condition. While the community awaits a comprehensive evaluation, team members are mitigating minor water damage as best as possible.

As some associates grapple with the personal impact of the storm, Gulf Coast Village will modify its operations in accordance to any workforce changes. Under these special circumstances, the community anticipates normal operations won’t resume for a few weeks. The community will also provide assistance to affected team members whenever possible.

Gulf Coast Village would like to thank its leadership team and associates for their efforts in keeping everyone safe. With the right plans in place, and some exemplary team effort, the storm’s impact on the community was minimal.

To our Gulf Coast Village Associates: We certainly understand you may have some very challenging days/weeks ahead. Please know that we can be a resource for you, whether that be a place for you to shower, or fulfill your water needs. We’re here to help and get you back on your feet. If you’re looking for gas, this is a great app: https://www.gasbuddy.com/App.

update 9/10 at 8:34 p.m.:

Attention Residents, Associates and Families. As Hurricane Irma travels over Gulf Coast Village we have not lost power! It’s been noisy and a little wet but we are all safe. We will continue the community lock down until the GCV Emergency Command Center gives the All Clear. Lee County is still under a curfew until 7am. Please observe the curfew. As always, the safety of our residents, associates and their families will be our highest priority. If you are a guest here at GCV please use your best judgement when making your way back home. If you’d like to contact someone staying here, please contact their cellphone primary.

Update 9/10 at 7:30 A.m.:

The GCV Emergency Command Center has been closely monitoring Hurricane Irma. We have started to experience Tropical Storm force winds here. It is unsafe to be on the roads and bridges in these conditions. Please take this into consideration prior to going out on the roads. Our community will go into lockdown at 8 a.m. this morning. Stay safe.

Update 9/9 at 9:42 p.m.:

Today was an incredible day of great team work. We were able to receive over 400 associates, family members and a ton of barking anxious dogs. In addition many of our Care Center, Palmview and Independent Tower residents are hosting their family and friends. Combined we currently total over 900.

I know many of you feel helpless that you can’t assist so I ask that you keep praying for all of us. We have some of the most dedicated compassionate associates in the field. This is why we do what we do.

We are Volunteers of America and we will always be the first to step forward.

Update 9/9 at 6:22 p.m.:

Dear Residents, Family, and Staff: We plan to close the shelter entrance at 8 a.m. on Sunday. If the sustained wind speed exceeds 70 mph before that time we will permanently close the doors prior to 8 a.m. Please continue to monitor the news for wind speed details as it is not safe to be on the road or bridges when wind speeds exceed 40 mph.

As always the safety of our residents and staff is our highest priority. For any questions or concerns please direct your call to our hotline at 1-855-712-5903. Links for tracking the storm and hurricane preparedness can be found at:
https://www.fema.gov/hurricane-irma & https://www.floridadisaster.org/

Updated 9/8 at 6:46 p.m.:

We continue to monitor Hurricane Irma. Currently Zone A is under an evacuation notice. We are in Zone B. Please see the following link for further information regarding the zones. https://www.leegov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement

Gulf Coast Village is not a public shelter. We are housing Gulf Coast Village residents and essential personnel only. If you are looking for Public Shelter please refer to this link. https://www.leegov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement/shelters

We will continue to update our Facebook page, website and call center at 1-855-712-5903

Updated 9/8 at 10:45 a.m.:

Attention Gulf Coast Village associates, families of our associates, and guests of our independent and Palmview residents: Registration opens at 12 p.m. tomorrow and continues through Sunday at 8 a.m. Please register in your assigned buildings.

In addition please continue to monitor wind speed estimates. It is not safe to be on the road or bridges when wind speeds exceed 40mph. Please take this into consideration when planning your check-in time.

After 8 a.m. on Sunday, we will be securing the doors and closing down remaining shutters until the storm has passed and it has been deemed safe to leave. Safety continues to be our main priority!

Updated 9/6:

Dear Residents, Family, and Staff: We are closely monitoring Hurricane Irma and our Emergency Command Center (ECC) has been activated and preparations are in full effect. At this time we are not evacuating. Evacuation points are within the storm’s trajectory. Gulf Coast Village always has emergency food, water and generators. Our Executive Director is having a Townhall meeting today (9/6) with our residents to go over tips for managing through this storm. A Townhall meeting will also be held every day at 1:00 p.m. until the storm passes. Rest assured that the entire Gulf Coast Village Leadership team and essential personnel will remain onsite to continue to provide quality care to our residents.

As always the safety of our residents and staff is our highest priority. For any questions or concerns please direct your call to our hotline at 1-855-712-5903.

Links for tracking the storm and hurricane preparedness can be found at:
https://www.fema.gov/hurricane-irma & https://www.floridadisaster.org.