Cape Coral residents brace for Hurricane Ian

Some Cape Coral residents and businesses were making preparations to protect their properties Monday.

Christa Mitchell is the owner and founder of Extend and Mend, a hair salon located in Downtown Cape Coral, and she spent her morning boarding up her business.

She opened her business in 2017 around the time Irma made its way through Florida, and though her business only suffered a small roof leak, she didn't want to be caught unprepared.

"We don't want to risk anything, especially because the elevation for our building is not high at all," Mitchell said over Facebook.

She grew up in the Cape, and worries about the potential impact that a big storm could have on businesses and new residents.

"I think we haven't really seen a decent one since Charley and a lot of people who live here now didn't experience that," Mitchell said.

Her business usually opens Tuesdays, but she's planning to stay closed and reschedule her customers' appointments as she spends time putting sandbags in front of the door with her kids.

"In my opinion, I don't think you can really know what is for sure going to happen until it gets closer," Mitchell said. " Better safe than sorry, right?"

Another resident, Aaron Landeros, spent his afternoon helping put up storm shutters for his brother, who lives near Hancock Bridge Parkway and Del Prado Boulevard.

Landeros said his brother is worried over his family's safety, as the palm trees along Hancock Bridge Parkway are close to the house.

"We are just putting this up for all the debris that will be coming around, the flooding you really can't do much about," Landeros said.

The city's emergency operation center has been activated for planning purposes, and staff is monitoring the storm.

The fire department recommends having enough food, water, and supplies for at least 72 hours.

Cones, barrels, barriers, and other signage are being removed from all city roads so traffic control devices don't become projectiles as hurricane Ian approaches.

Luis Zambrano is a Watchdog/Cape Coral reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. You can reach Luis at Lzambrano@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @Lz2official.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Cape Coral residents and businesses brace for Hurricane Ian