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Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key Wednesday night as a Category 3 storm. Follow live updates showing the storm’s aftermath and recovery efforts in Southwest Florida. Milton rapidly intensified into a major Category 5 hurricane in the southwestern Gulf Monday morning, with winds topping 180 mph and a near-record low central pressure. The storm spurred tornadoes that left swaths of destruction across the state. Photo gallery Is my Publix open?10:15 p.m.Check for your store here.Publix opening on Fort Myers Beach8 a.m. Saturday Charlotte County curfew9 p.m.Charlotte County and the City of Punta Gorda have amended the curfews that were enacted earlier this week. The curfew and ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages remains 9 p.m. – 6 a.m. on Manasota Key, Little Gasparilla Island, Don Pedro Island and Boca Grande.For all other areas, the curfew and ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages changes to 12:01 a.m. – 6 a.m. until further notice. Violation of the curfew is a misdemeanor.Lee County School District releases update on school reopenings5:32 p.m.The Lee County School District said they plan to announce operational plans for next week by 5 p.m. on Saturday.According to a news release, the district’s team is working to assess buildings and schools for post-storm damage.In the meantime, the district is providing the following updates:Each school must meet the following reopening criteria to ensure the safety of our students and staff:Reliable power: A school must have consistent electricity to operate the entire campus.Potable water: A school must have a safe supply of drinking water.Professional assessment: A building professional must assess the school buildings and determine them safe to occupy. Any safety concerns must be mitigated or resolved.Secure from Leaks: School windows and roofs must be able to prevent a severe intrusion of water.Working A/C: A school must have an assessed and operating HVAC system.Functioning fire alarm and intercom: A school must be able to activate its fire alarm and school intercom in case of an emergency.Indoor air quality (IAQ): Every school will be assessed to determine if they meet the criteria that would require an IAQ test such as leaks, water penetration, etc.Debris and hazard clean-up: A school must have storm debris either removed or stored in a safe and secure location.Ability to serve food: A school must be able to provide students with meals.The District team will also continue to evaluate our current Instructional Calendar and determine which dates will be used as make-up days for closure dates due to Hurricane Milton.As of now, Oct. 14, 2024 is scheduled as a make-up day for Hurricane Helene, according to the district.Charlotte County Public Schools release statement12:30 p.m.”I am pleased to announce that our schools will reopen on Monday, October 14, for a teacher workday, and Tuesday, October 15 for students.We know the past few days have been challenging, and I want to take a moment to express my deep gratitude for your resilience and commitment to our school community. The safety and well-being of our staff and students have been, and always will remain, our highest priority. Thanks to our team’s hard work and dedication, our facilities are ready to welcome everyone back.Please remember that mental health support is available if you or anyone else needs assistance. We are here for you and look forward to reconnecting as we prepare for a positive return to school.”Tolls to resume across three Lee County bridges4:36 p.m.The tolls at the Midpoint Bridge, Cape Coral Bridge and Sanibel Causeway will resume on Saturday at 12 a.m.According to Lee County, the tolls were suspended on Monday, Oct. 7, as people evacuated for Zones A and B.The county said it rescinded the evacuation Friday afternoon.Where to find gasLooking for gas? Gas buddy can helpPower outagesInteractive Map: Florida power outages by county Saturday Live Updates> 4 p.m.North end of Manasota Key to reopen to residents, businessesStatement: The north end of Manasota Key will reopen to residents and businesses at 4 p.m. today, Saturday, Oct. 12. From Beach Road at S.R. 776 to the roundabout and North Beach Road to the Charlotte-Sarasota county line will be open. South Beach Road, from the roundabout south, remains closed.Charlotte County Community Development has done an initial damage assessment and affected properties have been tagged with notifications of the condition by a placard placed on the structure. As residents return, we urge them to exercise caution:Sidewalks are closed due to excessive debris.Many side streets on Manasota Key remain impassable.Please use caution as crews continue to work.Many streets and roads contain debris sand. Do not drive or walk at night to avoid hazardous conditions that may still exist on some streets> 1:55 p.m.Lee Health to resume operationsStatement: Following Hurricane Milton, Lee Health is resuming standard operation with a few important notes.Elective procedures will resume on Monday, October 14.TeleHealth visits are being offered to Lee Health patients in Florida free of charge through October 13, 2024.The Lee Health Mobile Healthcare Unit is parked at Pine Island Road and Burnt Store Road in the Publix parking lot, accepting walk in appointments for those in need of help. Hours will be 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. throughout the weekend.As of 8 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 12, here is the list of Lee Physician Group office closures:Bonita Bay Primary Care & Adult Rehab – Primary Care is seeing patients at the Lee Health Coconut Point office Naples Golisano Peds Urgent Care & Specialty Care – Providing Telemedicine visitsSanibel Primary Care office – Seeing patients at the LPG Bass Rd Primary Care officePeds Rehab Naples YMCA > 12:45 p.m.City of Sanibel to provide updates on Hurricane Milton recoveryThe City of Sanibel will provide a live update at 3:30pm on the City of Sanibel Facebook page.> 12:40 p.m.Cape Coral Bike Night cancelledStatement: Cape Coral Bike Night, originally scheduled for Saturday, October 12, has been canceled due to Hurricane Milton.For more information and event details, visit CCBikeNight.com. Stay safe, Cape Coral!> 12:20 p.m.City of Cape Coral offers free laundry facilitiesStatement: Self-service laundry facilities are now available at Jim Jeffers Park for residents without power! Be sure to bring your own detergent and supplies. Water stations and functional toilets are also open from 7 AM to 7 PM.> 12:10 p.m.Lee County officials on Fort Myers BeachStatement: Lee County will be out and about on Island today, speaking with residents about United Way, debris pickup, and the permitting process! Keep an eye out if you have any questions!> 12 p.m. Fort Myers Police share update on roadway conditionsStatement: All intersections within the #CityofFortMyers are now fully operational. > 11 a.m.Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis holds press conference in Plant City amid Hurricane Milton recoveryWatch: > 10:55 a.m.Florida Power & Light gives restoration updateStatement: We continue to work around the clock following Milton. We’re targeting to restore 90% of impacted customers by end-of-day Monday but many will be back on before. We understand you need to know when your power will be restored and how important that information is to help you make decisions and plan.Here are our best initial estimates as of now:Expected by end of day, Tuesday, Oct. 15: 95% power restored in Glades, Martin, Putnam and St. Johns counties.Expected by end of day, Wednesday, Oct. 16: 95% power restored in Collier, Lee, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties.Expected by end of day, Thursday, Oct. 17: 95% power restored in Brevard, Charlotte, DeSoto, Flagler, Indian River, Manatee, Sarasota, Seminole and Volusia counties.> 10:50 a.m.Sanibel offers update on US Mail servicesThe City of Sanibel received the following information from the Sanibel Postmaster:Sanibel postal mail will be delivered today (October 12, 2024) to all streets that are passable and do not have standing water. Roadways with any standing water will not receive mail service.Mail will not be delivered to properties with missing mailboxes.The post office is closed in observance of Columbus Day, Monday, October 14, 2024Post Office Lobby will reopen on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. > 10:32 a.m.Over 85% of LCEC customer have power just days after MiltonStatement: LCEC crews are making significant progress in restoring power following the widespread impacts of Hurricane Milton. Over 85,000 customers have been restored in the last 24 Hours, bringing power restoration up to 87% in the LCEC service area. Efforts continue around the clock to ensure full restoration as quickly and safely as possible.As part of an extensive effort to restore power to customers across Southwest Florida, LCEC has received mutual aid from 48 states, and the Virgin Islands! LCEC, and the army of restoration partners share the same mission to restore power as quickly as possible for all of our members. Customers without power by county:Broward: 0%Charlotte: 0.23%Collier: 6%Hendry: 2.7%Lee: 14%> 10:30 a.m.President Joe Biden approves Florida Disaster Declaration following Hurricane MiltonFor more details, click here.> 10 a.m.HCA Florida Healthcare offers update on facilitiesStatement: Services remain temporarily suspended at the following locations:Hillsborough CountyHCA Florida West Tampa Hospital, a part of HCA Florida South Tampa HospitalHCA Florida Central Tampa Emergency, a part of HCA Florida South Tampa HospitalManatee CountyHCA Florida Palmetto Emergency, a part of HCA Florida Blake HospitalPinellas CountyHCA Florida Largo HospitalHCA Florida Pasadena Hospital> 9:30 a.m.Lee County Parks and Recreation announce reopening of facilitiesStatement: Lee County Parks & Recreation is pleased to announce the reopening of many parks and recreational facilities following the impacts of Hurricane Milton.The reopened sites have had thorough staff assessments and safety inspections. Staff continue to work throughout the weekend so that sites in addition to the list below can potentially reopen. Continue to monitor www.leeparks.org. The website also lists the addresses, available amenities and hours of operation for the reopened sites.These locations will be open to the public with regular operating hours starting today, Oct. 12:Boat RampsAlva Boat RampDavis Boat RampRecreationKelly Road Soccer ComplexNorth Fort Myers Recreation CenterVeterans Recreation CenterWa-Ke Hatchee Recreation CenterPreservesCaloosahatchee Creeks Preserve – East and WestPrairie Pines PreservePop Ash Creek PreserveTelegraph Creek PreserveParksCharleston ParkHickey Creek Mitigation ParkHunter ParkJudd ParkKarl Drews Community ParkKurt Donaldson ParkLehigh Acres Trailhead ParkNalle Grade ParkNorth Fort Myers ParkManatee ParkMary Moody ParkMiramar ParkOlga ParkRoyal Palm ParkRutenberg ParkSchandler Hall ParkShores Nature Trail ParkVeterans ParkWa-Ke Hatchee ParkWaterway ParkPaddlecraft LaunchesRussel Park Paddle Craft LaunchTelegraph Creek Paddle Craft LaunchAdditionally, the Olga Community Center and Buckingham Community Center will be available for rentals beginning Saturday, Oct. 12.Upcoming reopenings:Monday, Oct. 14:Lehigh Acres Senior CenterKarl J. Drews Community CenterTuesday, Oct. 15:Lehigh Acres Community PoolNorth Fort Myers Community PoolSan Carlos Park Community PoolDue to heavy impacts to Lee County’s coastal areas, the following sites remain closed:Beach sites: All county beach park locations throughout Lee Couty Parks & Recreation remain closed.Boca Grande: All county facilities in Boca Grande remain closed.Pine Island: All county parks and boat ramps in the Matlacha-Pine Island area are closed.> 9:25 a.m.Governor DeSantis to hold press conference in Plant CityFlorida Governor Ron DeSantis is set to hold a press conference in Plant City at 11 a.m. on Saturday.> 9:15 a.m.Cape Coral opens water stationsStatement: Water stations are open from 7 AM to 7 PM at Jim Jeffers Park, providing drinkable water to residents! Functional toilets are also available during these hours. Free laundry facilities are available for residents without power!Friday>2:45 p.m.City of Sanibel gives an update on Hurricane Milton recovery 2:15 p.m.Charlotte County hold a news conference on hurricane recovery>2:10 p.m.Hot meals on Fort Myers Beach.>1:55Lee County Sheriffls Office reminds of currently curfews in placeFort Myers Beach 10:00PM – 7:00AMBonita Springs 10:00PM – 7:00AMSanibel 9:00PM – 6:00AM>1::00 p.m.Lee County power update provided by the county.69,990 LCEC customers were without power.65,860 FPL customers were without power.Interactive Map: Florida power outages by county> 12:55 p.m.Charlotte County opens three distribution centers on FridayMore details here. > 12:30 p.m.City of Naples gives Hurricane Milton recovery updateRoad Conditions: The southern portion of Gordon Drive is impassable or difficult to navigate. We urge residents to avoid driving in this area while emergency crews are working.Beach End Closures: All beach ends, including the Naples Pier and Lowdermilk Park, are CLOSED until further notice. DO NOT drive on the sand at beach ends, as the soft sand increases the risk of vehicles getting stuck.Tennis Center Closure: The Arthur Allen Tennis will remain closed while the clay courts are dried and repaired. City Offices: Offices and facilities are open.Swim Advisory: The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) has issued a SWIM ADVISORY for our area. Please avoid entering the water and wear footwear when walking on the sand due to debris.What You Can Do with Beach Sand:The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has authorized that clean, white, fluffy sand that has washed up from the beach can be returned to the beach without a permit. The sand must be free of plant matter (vegetative debris), construction debris, and any organic materials like mulch, topsoil, or black sand. It also cannot be placed over any vegetation on the beach, even if the vegetation looks dead.If you are unsure, please contact Natalie Hardman, Natural Resources Manager, for guidance or to request a sand inspection before placing it on the beach. You can reach Natalie at (239) 213-1031 or nhardman@naplesgov.com. Please note, other activities like replacing steps, walkovers, and dune plantings still require a permit from the City.> 12:20 p.m.Water back on at Matlacha, ShoreviewStatement: The water to residents of Matlacha and Shoreview has been restored. You may experience intermittent outages while our crew continues to look for any leaks in the lines. You are under a precautionary boil water notice, and we will send out alerts when that has been cleared. Please remember to NOT pressure wash or fill your pool for a few more days as this creates differences in pressure at the plant making it more difficult for our crew to locate leaks. > 12:15 p.m.President Joe Biden to visit areas impacted by Hurricane MiltonOn Sunday, October 13th, the President will travel to Florida to visit areas impacted by Hurricane Milton. Additional details to follow.> 12:12 p.m.Cape Coral city leaders provide Milton recovery updateWater Station:Water stations/Aquapods will open today at noon at Jim Jeffers Park to supply drinking water to residents. Residents must bring their own containers.Beginning tomorrow (October 12), the water distribution will take place from 7 AM to 7 PM daily until further notice. Waste Collection:Waste Pro will resume household trash pickup on Monday, October 14. However, there will be no collection of recycling, bulk waste, or horticulture next week. Only regular garbage will be collected. Debris Removal:Curbside pickup of hurricane-related horticulture debris will begin the week of October 21. Residential drop-off sites for debris are expected to open early next week. We will provide further details on dates and locations soon.> 12:10 p.m.City of Sanibel offers ‘important utility update’Statement: LCEC is working to have the substation energized this afternoon. This will take time as power will be restored throughout the island in stages. Once the substation is powered, crews will assess additional line issues that may identified.To prepare for the possibility of an extended power outage, the City of Sanibel has requested additional generators to power needed components of the City’s sanitary sewer system. Some of that equipment has arrived today and staff has started the installation process.At this time, please do not use the water inside your home. The sewer system could back up into your property until the City’s sanitary sewer system is restored. You may use water outside your home to clean items provided the water does not enter the sewer system.>12:00 p.m. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell held a press conference with Punta Gorda Mayor Lynne Matthews and City Manager Gregory B. Murray to provide an update on the federal and local efforts responding to Hurricane Milton.> 12:00 p.m.Lee County officials give updates on Hurricane Milton recovery> 11:42 a.m.Sanibel Causeway reopens, no hurricane pass required> 11:32 a.m.High school football games canceled for Lee County schools> 11:18 a.m.Collier Area Transit resumes operations, fares waived until further notice> 11:00 a.m.Gov. Ron DeSantis holds a news conference from St. Petersburg.> 10:20 a.m.Bonita Springs maintains curfew as crews continue recovery operationsStatement: There is a curfew for Bonita Beach from 10pm- 7am. County staff is working hard to clean up sand from the roadways. Clean up will take time.> 10:15 a.m.Cape Coral Parks and Recs remain closed Statement: City parks and park facilities remain closed while staff continue with debris removal and assessments.Collier County reminds residents to be mindful of water useStatement: As power is restored to the area, we have made great progress with more than 80% system restoration. Please continue to be mindful of your water use while we get the system back to normal operations.> 10 a.m.Lee County officials to offer updates regarding Hurricane Milton in media conference at noon > 9:50 a.m.Contractors can go over Matanzas Pass Bridge at noon on FridayStatement: Beginning at noon, all contractors, landscapers, and anyone working to remove debris from residential or commercial properties will be allowed on the Island with the Town of Fort Myers Beach Contractor Re-entry Pass. To obtain a pass, find the Town of Fort Myers Beach staff located in the Target Parking lot and provide the address you are going to work. All Contractors will need to provide their Contractor License Number, if available.Target Address: 15880 San Carlos Blvd Ste 101, Fort Myers, FL 33908> 9:30 a.m.All water on Marco Island is safe to drink, except for one small area on the map below:> 9:15 a.m.Town of Fort Myers Beach offers re-entry passes to residentsThe Town of Fort Myers Beach is giving residents re-entry passes in the Target parking lot off of San Carlos Blvd.Staff will be there from 7:00am – 4:30pm, weather permitting.> 9:05 a.m.Beach Road remains closed as crews clear hazardsStatement: As of this morning, there is NO ACCESS being granted to Beach Rd. for ANYONE. Crews continue to work to clear hazards and make the area safe again, but until that time Beach Rd. is CLOSED for safety.> 8:45 a.m.Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office reports no casualties following Hurricane MiltonStatement: Yesterday, CCSO and other authorities conducted door-to-door searches of all the barrier islands, Englewood Beach, Boca Grande, and other low-lying areas. Though there was substantial damage found, we are happy to report we discovered no casualties. Things can be replaced. People can’t.Blind Pass Bridge reopens for City of SanibelStatement: Blind Pass Bridge is open and can be crossed by vehicles with caution. DOT is active in the area with heavy equipment and is currently moving large amounts of sand. There will be deputies present directing traffic.Residents attempting entry by vehicle will need to follow the orders of the City of Sanibel. Show a valid ID AND proof that you own property on Captiva Island, or a valid pass from the City of Sanibel. What’s open/closed?Find your Publix store here.Find your local Walmart here.Live camerasMatlacha Bridge Traffic WebcamKing Fisher Fleet – Punta GordaPink Shell Fort – Myers BeachNorth Shore Park – North Fort MyersBabcock RanchSanibel Harbour ResortPunta Gorda AirportJetBlue Park – Fort MyersMargaritaville Beach Resort – Fort Myers BeachBayview Dental Arts – NaplesHamilton Harbour Yacht Club – NaplesFollow the NBC2 weather team on social mediaChief Meteorologist Allyson Rae on Facebook and XMeteorologist Jason Dunning on Facebook and XMeteorologist Rob Duns on Facebook and XMeteorologist Lauren Hope on Facebook and XMeteorologist Jesslyn Ferentz on Facebook and XDOWNLOAD the free NBC2 News app for your latest news and weather alerts.
Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key Wednesday night as a Category 3 storm. Follow live updates showing the storm’s aftermath and recovery efforts in Southwest Florida.
Milton rapidly intensified into a major Category 5 hurricane in the southwestern Gulf Monday morning, with winds topping 180 mph and a near-record low central pressure. The storm spurred tornadoes that left swaths of destruction across the state.
Is my Publix open?
10:15 p.m.
- Check for your store here.
Publix opening on Fort Myers Beach
Charlotte County curfew
9 p.m.
Charlotte County and the City of Punta Gorda have amended the curfews that were enacted earlier this week.
The curfew and ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages remains 9 p.m. – 6 a.m. on Manasota Key, Little Gasparilla Island, Don Pedro Island and Boca Grande.
For all other areas, the curfew and ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages changes to 12:01 a.m. – 6 a.m. until further notice. Violation of the curfew is a misdemeanor.
Lee County School District releases update on school reopenings
5:32 p.m.
The Lee County School District said they plan to announce operational plans for next week by 5 p.m. on Saturday.
According to a news release, the district’s team is working to assess buildings and schools for post-storm damage.
In the meantime, the district is providing the following updates:
Each school must meet the following reopening criteria to ensure the safety of our students and staff:
- Reliable power: A school must have consistent electricity to operate the entire campus.
- Potable water: A school must have a safe supply of drinking water.
- Professional assessment: A building professional must assess the school buildings and determine them safe to occupy. Any safety concerns must be mitigated or resolved.
- Secure from Leaks: School windows and roofs must be able to prevent a severe intrusion of water.
- Working A/C: A school must have an assessed and operating HVAC system.
- Functioning fire alarm and intercom: A school must be able to activate its fire alarm and school intercom in case of an emergency.
- Indoor air quality (IAQ): Every school will be assessed to determine if they meet the criteria that would require an IAQ test such as leaks, water penetration, etc.
- Debris and hazard clean-up: A school must have storm debris either removed or stored in a safe and secure location.
- Ability to serve food: A school must be able to provide students with meals.
The District team will also continue to evaluate our current Instructional Calendar and determine which dates will be used as make-up days for closure dates due to Hurricane Milton.
As of now, Oct. 14, 2024 is scheduled as a make-up day for Hurricane Helene, according to the district.
Charlotte County Public Schools release statement
12:30 p.m.
“I am pleased to announce that our schools will reopen on Monday, October 14, for a teacher workday, and Tuesday, October 15 for students.
We know the past few days have been challenging, and I want to take a moment to express my deep gratitude for your resilience and commitment to our school community. The safety and well-being of our staff and students have been, and always will remain, our highest priority. Thanks to our team’s hard work and dedication, our facilities are ready to welcome everyone back.
Please remember that mental health support is available if you or anyone else needs assistance. We are here for you and look forward to reconnecting as we prepare for a positive return to school.”
Tolls to resume across three Lee County bridges
4:36 p.m.
The tolls at the Midpoint Bridge, Cape Coral Bridge and Sanibel Causeway will resume on Saturday at 12 a.m.
According to Lee County, the tolls were suspended on Monday, Oct. 7, as people evacuated for Zones A and B.
The county said it rescinded the evacuation Friday afternoon.
Where to find gas
Looking for gas? Gas buddy can help
Power outages
Interactive Map: Florida power outages by county
Saturday Live Updates
> 4 p.m.
North end of Manasota Key to reopen to residents, businesses
Statement: The north end of Manasota Key will reopen to residents and businesses at 4 p.m. today, Saturday, Oct. 12. From Beach Road at S.R. 776 to the roundabout and North Beach Road to the Charlotte-Sarasota county line will be open. South Beach Road, from the roundabout south, remains closed.
Charlotte County Community Development has done an initial damage assessment and affected properties have been tagged with notifications of the condition by a placard placed on the structure.
As residents return, we urge them to exercise caution:
- Sidewalks are closed due to excessive debris.
- Many side streets on Manasota Key remain impassable.
- Please use caution as crews continue to work.
- Many streets and roads contain debris sand.
- Do not drive or walk at night to avoid hazardous conditions that may still exist on some streets
> 1:55 p.m.
Lee Health to resume operations
Statement: Following Hurricane Milton, Lee Health is resuming standard operation with a few important notes.
- Elective procedures will resume on Monday, October 14.
- TeleHealth visits are being offered to Lee Health patients in Florida free of charge through October 13, 2024.
- The Lee Health Mobile Healthcare Unit is parked at Pine Island Road and Burnt Store Road in the Publix parking lot, accepting walk in appointments for those in need of help. Hours will be 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. throughout the weekend.
- As of 8 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 12, here is the list of Lee Physician Group office closures:
- Bonita Bay Primary Care & Adult Rehab – Primary Care is seeing patients at the Lee Health Coconut Point office
- Naples Golisano Peds Urgent Care & Specialty Care – Providing Telemedicine visits
- Sanibel Primary Care office – Seeing patients at the LPG Bass Rd Primary Care office
- Peds Rehab Naples YMCA
> 12:45 p.m.
City of Sanibel to provide updates on Hurricane Milton recovery
The City of Sanibel will provide a live update at 3:30pm on the City of Sanibel Facebook page.
> 12:40 p.m.
Cape Coral Bike Night cancelled
Statement: Cape Coral Bike Night, originally scheduled for Saturday, October 12, has been canceled due to Hurricane Milton.
For more information and event details, visit CCBikeNight.com. Stay safe, Cape Coral!
> 12:20 p.m.
City of Cape Coral offers free laundry facilities
Statement: Self-service laundry facilities are now available at Jim Jeffers Park for residents without power! Be sure to bring your own detergent and supplies.
Water stations and functional toilets are also open from 7 AM to 7 PM.
> 12:10 p.m.
Lee County officials on Fort Myers Beach
Statement: Lee County will be out and about on Island today, speaking with residents about United Way, debris pickup, and the permitting process! Keep an eye out if you have any questions!
> 12 p.m.
Fort Myers Police share update on roadway conditions
Statement: All intersections within the #CityofFortMyers are now fully operational.
> 11 a.m.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis holds press conference in Plant City amid Hurricane Milton recovery
Watch:
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> 10:55 a.m.
Florida Power & Light gives restoration update
Statement: We continue to work around the clock following Milton. We’re targeting to restore 90% of impacted customers by end-of-day Monday but many will be back on before. We understand you need to know when your power will be restored and how important that information is to help you make decisions and plan.
Here are our best initial estimates as of now:
- Expected by end of day, Tuesday, Oct. 15: 95% power restored in Glades, Martin, Putnam and St. Johns counties.
- Expected by end of day, Wednesday, Oct. 16: 95% power restored in Collier, Lee, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties.
- Expected by end of day, Thursday, Oct. 17: 95% power restored in Brevard, Charlotte, DeSoto, Flagler, Indian River, Manatee, Sarasota, Seminole and Volusia counties.
> 10:50 a.m.
Sanibel offers update on US Mail services
The City of Sanibel received the following information from the Sanibel Postmaster:
- Sanibel postal mail will be delivered today (October 12, 2024) to all streets that are passable and do not have standing water. Roadways with any standing water will not receive mail service.
- Mail will not be delivered to properties with missing mailboxes.
- The post office is closed in observance of Columbus Day, Monday, October 14, 2024
- Post Office Lobby will reopen on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
> 10:32 a.m.
Over 85% of LCEC customer have power just days after Milton
Statement: LCEC crews are making significant progress in restoring power following the widespread impacts of Hurricane Milton. Over 85,000 customers have been restored in the last 24 Hours, bringing power restoration up to 87% in the LCEC service area. Efforts continue around the clock to ensure full restoration as quickly and safely as possible.
As part of an extensive effort to restore power to customers across Southwest Florida, LCEC has received mutual aid from 48 states, and the Virgin Islands! LCEC, and the army of restoration partners share the same mission to restore power as quickly as possible for all of our members.
Customers without power by county:
- Broward: 0%
- Charlotte: 0.23%
- Collier: 6%
- Hendry: 2.7%
- Lee: 14%
> 10:30 a.m.
President Joe Biden approves Florida Disaster Declaration following Hurricane Milton
For more details, click here.
> 10 a.m.
HCA Florida Healthcare offers update on facilities
Statement: Services remain temporarily suspended at the following locations:
Hillsborough County
- HCA Florida West Tampa Hospital, a part of HCA Florida South Tampa Hospital
- HCA Florida Central Tampa Emergency, a part of HCA Florida South Tampa Hospital
Manatee County
- HCA Florida Palmetto Emergency, a part of HCA Florida Blake Hospital
Pinellas County
- HCA Florida Largo Hospital
- HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital
> 9:30 a.m.
Lee County Parks and Recreation announce reopening of facilities
Statement: Lee County Parks & Recreation is pleased to announce the reopening of many parks and recreational facilities following the impacts of Hurricane Milton.
The reopened sites have had thorough staff assessments and safety inspections. Staff continue to work throughout the weekend so that sites in addition to the list below can potentially reopen. Continue to monitor www.leeparks.org. The website also lists the addresses, available amenities and hours of operation for the reopened sites.
These locations will be open to the public with regular operating hours starting today, Oct. 12:
Boat Ramps
- Alva Boat Ramp
- Davis Boat Ramp
Recreation
- Kelly Road Soccer Complex
- North Fort Myers Recreation Center
- Veterans Recreation Center
- Wa-Ke Hatchee Recreation Center
Preserves
- Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve – East and West
- Prairie Pines Preserve
- Pop Ash Creek Preserve
- Telegraph Creek Preserve
Parks
- Charleston Park
- Hickey Creek Mitigation Park
- Hunter Park
- Judd Park
- Karl Drews Community Park
- Kurt Donaldson Park
- Lehigh Acres Trailhead Park
- Nalle Grade Park
- North Fort Myers Park
- Manatee Park
- Mary Moody Park
- Miramar Park
- Olga Park
- Royal Palm Park
- Rutenberg Park
- Schandler Hall Park
- Shores Nature Trail Park
- Veterans Park
- Wa-Ke Hatchee Park
- Waterway Park
Paddlecraft Launches
- Russel Park Paddle Craft Launch
- Telegraph Creek Paddle Craft Launch
Additionally, the Olga Community Center and Buckingham Community Center will be available for rentals beginning Saturday, Oct. 12.
Upcoming reopenings:
- Monday, Oct. 14:
- Lehigh Acres Senior Center
- Karl J. Drews Community Center
- Tuesday, Oct. 15:
- Lehigh Acres Community Pool
- North Fort Myers Community Pool
- San Carlos Park Community Pool
Due to heavy impacts to Lee County’s coastal areas, the following sites remain closed:
- Beach sites: All county beach park locations throughout Lee Couty Parks & Recreation remain closed.
- Boca Grande: All county facilities in Boca Grande remain closed.
- Pine Island: All county parks and boat ramps in the Matlacha-Pine Island area are closed.
> 9:25 a.m.
Governor DeSantis to hold press conference in Plant City
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is set to hold a press conference in Plant City at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
> 9:15 a.m.
Cape Coral opens water stations
Statement: Water stations are open from 7 AM to 7 PM at Jim Jeffers Park, providing drinkable water to residents! Functional toilets are also available during these hours. Free laundry facilities are available for residents without power!
Friday
>2:45 p.m.
City of Sanibel gives an update on Hurricane Milton recovery
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2:15 p.m.
Charlotte County hold a news conference on hurricane recovery
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>2:10 p.m.
Hot meals on Fort Myers Beach.
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>1:55
Lee County Sheriffls Office reminds of currently curfews in place
- Fort Myers Beach 10:00PM – 7:00AM
- Bonita Springs 10:00PM – 7:00AM
- Sanibel 9:00PM – 6:00AM
>1::00 p.m.
Lee County power update provided by the county.
- 69,990 LCEC customers were without power.
- 65,860 FPL customers were without power.
Interactive Map: Florida power outages by county
> 12:55 p.m.
Charlotte County opens three distribution centers on Friday
More details here.
> 12:30 p.m.
City of Naples gives Hurricane Milton recovery update
Road Conditions: The southern portion of Gordon Drive is impassable or difficult to navigate. We urge residents to avoid driving in this area while emergency crews are working.
Beach End Closures: All beach ends, including the Naples Pier and Lowdermilk Park, are CLOSED until further notice. DO NOT drive on the sand at beach ends, as the soft sand increases the risk of vehicles getting stuck.
Tennis Center Closure: The Arthur Allen Tennis will remain closed while the clay courts are dried and repaired.
City Offices: Offices and facilities are open.
Swim Advisory: The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) has issued a SWIM ADVISORY for our area. Please avoid entering the water and wear footwear when walking on the sand due to debris.
What You Can Do with Beach Sand:
- The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has authorized that clean, white, fluffy sand that has washed up from the beach can be returned to the beach without a permit. The sand must be free of plant matter (vegetative debris), construction debris, and any organic materials like mulch, topsoil, or black sand. It also cannot be placed over any vegetation on the beach, even if the vegetation looks dead.
- If you are unsure, please contact Natalie Hardman, Natural Resources Manager, for guidance or to request a sand inspection before placing it on the beach. You can reach Natalie at (239) 213-1031 or nhardman@naplesgov.com.
- Please note, other activities like replacing steps, walkovers, and dune plantings still require a permit from the City.
> 12:20 p.m.
Water back on at Matlacha, Shoreview
Statement: The water to residents of Matlacha and Shoreview has been restored. You may experience intermittent outages while our crew continues to look for any leaks in the lines. You are under a precautionary boil water notice, and we will send out alerts when that has been cleared. Please remember to NOT pressure wash or fill your pool for a few more days as this creates differences in pressure at the plant making it more difficult for our crew to locate leaks.
> 12:15 p.m.
President Joe Biden to visit areas impacted by Hurricane Milton
On Sunday, October 13th, the President will travel to Florida to visit areas impacted by Hurricane Milton. Additional details to follow.
> 12:12 p.m.
Cape Coral city leaders provide Milton recovery update
Water Station:
- Water stations/Aquapods will open today at noon at Jim Jeffers Park to supply drinking water to residents. Residents must bring their own containers.
- Beginning tomorrow (October 12), the water distribution will take place from 7 AM to 7 PM daily until further notice.
Waste Collection:
- Waste Pro will resume household trash pickup on Monday, October 14.
- However, there will be no collection of recycling, bulk waste, or horticulture next week. Only regular garbage will be collected.
Debris Removal:
- Curbside pickup of hurricane-related horticulture debris will begin the week of October 21.
- Residential drop-off sites for debris are expected to open early next week. We will provide further details on dates and locations soon.
> 12:10 p.m.
City of Sanibel offers ‘important utility update’
Statement: LCEC is working to have the substation energized this afternoon. This will take time as power will be restored throughout the island in stages. Once the substation is powered, crews will assess additional line issues that may identified.
To prepare for the possibility of an extended power outage, the City of Sanibel has requested additional generators to power needed components of the City’s sanitary sewer system. Some of that equipment has arrived today and staff has started the installation process.
At this time, please do not use the water inside your home. The sewer system could back up into your property until the City’s sanitary sewer system is restored. You may use water outside your home to clean items provided the water does not enter the sewer system.
>12:00 p.m.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell held a press conference with Punta Gorda Mayor Lynne Matthews and City Manager Gregory B. Murray to provide an update on the federal and local efforts responding to Hurricane Milton.
> 12:00 p.m.
Lee County officials give updates on Hurricane Milton recovery
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> 11:42 a.m.
Sanibel Causeway reopens, no hurricane pass required
> 11:32 a.m.
High school football games canceled for Lee County schools
> 11:18 a.m.
Collier Area Transit resumes operations, fares waived until further notice
> 11:00 a.m.
Gov. Ron DeSantis holds a news conference from St. Petersburg.
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> 10:20 a.m.
Bonita Springs maintains curfew as crews continue recovery operations
Statement: There is a curfew for Bonita Beach from 10pm- 7am. County staff is working hard to clean up sand from the roadways. Clean up will take time.
> 10:15 a.m.
Cape Coral Parks and Recs remain closed
Statement: City parks and park facilities remain closed while staff continue with debris removal and assessments.
Collier County reminds residents to be mindful of water use
Statement: As power is restored to the area, we have made great progress with more than 80% system restoration. Please continue to be mindful of your water use while we get the system back to normal operations.
> 10 a.m.
Lee County officials to offer updates regarding Hurricane Milton in media conference at noon
> 9:50 a.m.
Contractors can go over Matanzas Pass Bridge at noon on Friday
Statement: Beginning at noon, all contractors, landscapers, and anyone working to remove debris from residential or commercial properties will be allowed on the Island with the Town of Fort Myers Beach Contractor Re-entry Pass.
To obtain a pass, find the Town of Fort Myers Beach staff located in the Target Parking lot and provide the address you are going to work. All Contractors will need to provide their Contractor License Number, if available.
Target Address: 15880 San Carlos Blvd Ste 101, Fort Myers, FL 33908
> 9:30 a.m.
All water on Marco Island is safe to drink, except for one small area on the map below:
> 9:15 a.m.
Town of Fort Myers Beach offers re-entry passes to residents
The Town of Fort Myers Beach is giving residents re-entry passes in the Target parking lot off of San Carlos Blvd.
Staff will be there from 7:00am – 4:30pm, weather permitting.
> 9:05 a.m.
Beach Road remains closed as crews clear hazards
Statement: As of this morning, there is NO ACCESS being granted to Beach Rd. for ANYONE. Crews continue to work to clear hazards and make the area safe again, but until that time Beach Rd. is CLOSED for safety.
> 8:45 a.m.
Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office reports no casualties following Hurricane Milton
Statement: Yesterday, CCSO and other authorities conducted door-to-door searches of all the barrier islands, Englewood Beach, Boca Grande, and other low-lying areas. Though there was substantial damage found, we are happy to report we discovered no casualties. Things can be replaced. People can’t.
Blind Pass Bridge reopens for City of Sanibel
Statement: Blind Pass Bridge is open and can be crossed by vehicles with caution. DOT is active in the area with heavy equipment and is currently moving large amounts of sand. There will be deputies present directing traffic.
Residents attempting entry by vehicle will need to follow the orders of the City of Sanibel. Show a valid ID AND proof that you own property on Captiva Island, or a valid pass from the City of Sanibel.
What’s open/closed?
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