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Category 2 Hurricane Irma nearing Tampa, Lakeland

Published: Updated:
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FORT MYERS, Fla. Here is everything you need to know about Hurricane Irma as the storm develops:

12:00 a.m.

Hurricane Irma’s maximum sustained winds remained at 100 mph as of the 12 a.m. positional advisory from the National Hurricane Center. Irma is about 25 miles south of Lakeland, moving north at 14 mph.

11:53 p.m.

Cape Coral Police, Fire and EMS will return to service, but priority calls and initial damage assessments will take precedent, according to the Cape Coral Police Department.

 

11:36 p.m.

A boil water notice was issued in Arcadia due to a drop in water pressure, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. The notice will be in effect until further notice.

11:00 p.m.

Category 2 Hurricane Irma’s maximum sustained winds weakened to 100 mph as of the 11 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center. Irma is about 40 miles east-northeast of Sarasota and 50 miles southeast of Tampa, moving north at 14 mph.

“Irma is producing hurricane-force winds across portions of central Florida,” according to the National Hurricane Service said.

10:40 p.m.

Tides are expected to run five to seven feet above average in flood zone A in Cape Coral, according to the Cape Coral Police Department.

This does not mean that tides will run five to seven feet above street level, according to WINK News Chief Meteorologist Jim Farrell.

WINK News Chief Meteorologist Jim Farrell addressed concerns of storm surge in Cape Coral over the phone with Cape Coral Mayor Marni Sawicki:

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10:05 p.m. 

WINK News reporter Taylor Bisacky has more from Fort Myers Beach:

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10:00 p.m.

Hurricane Irma’s maximum sustained remained at 105 mph as of the 10 p.m. positional advisory from the National Hurricane Center. Irma is about 50 miles east-northeast of Fort Myers, moving north at 14 mph.

“Irma is producing widespread damaging winds across much of Florida,” according to the National Hurricane Center.

9:00 p.m.

Hurricane Irma’s maximum sustained winds remained at 105 mph as of the 9 p.m. positional advisory from the National Hurricane Center. Irma is about 35 miles east-northeast of Fort Myers, moving north at 14 mph.

8:55 p.m.

The Lee County Department of Transportation and the Florida Department of Transportation will inspect their respective bridges Monday to ensure structural integrity and safety, Lee County spokeswoman Betsy Clayton said.

8:48 p.m.

The storm impacted CenturyLink voice and 911 services in the Golden Gate area, the company said in a press release. Residents will not be able to use their landline telephones to call 911.

Residents are encouraged to use their cell phones or when safe to do so, to drive to the nearest fire station.

As soon as it’s safe, technicians will restore service, the company said.

8:00 p.m.

Hurricane Irma’s maximum sustained winds weakened to 105 mph as of the 8 p.m. positional advisory from the National Hurricane Center. Irma is about 15 miles east-northeast of Fort Myers, moving north at 14 mph.

7:47 p.m.

Residents are being urged not to venture out, even as conditions improve in some areas.

The potential for squally weather and storm surge still exists throughout Southwest Florida even as Irma weakens and moves inland, officials in Fort Myers and Bonita Springs said.

Curfews are in effect until further notice in Lee, Charlotte, DeSoto and Collier counties.

7:39 p.m. 

About 90 percent of Collier County is out of power, according to Collier County Emergency Management Officials. Residents are advised to stay indoors tonight.

About 3.3 million homes are without power statewide, the Associated Press reports.

6:40 p.m.

A boil water notice was issued in Collier County, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.

6:28 p.m.

Water was leaking from the roof of Germain Arena on 11000 Everblades Parkway where thousands of Southwest Florida evacuees are taking shelter, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. The facility is stable and emergency officials are monitoring the issue.

6:21 p.m.

A major storm surge is imminent for southern Collier County, the National Weather Service said.

Storm surge will increase dramatically in Naples and Marco Island, likely rising to between 10 and 15 feet above ground by 7 p.m. Everglades City and Goodland are likely to experience the same conditions soon, the weather service also said.

6:18 p.m.

WINK News anchor Lindsey Sablan was live on Facebook in Fort Myers:

6:00 p.m.

Hurricane Irma’s maximum sustained winds remained at 110 mph as of the 6 p.m. positional advisory from the National Hurricane Center. Irma is about 25 miles south-southeast of Fort Myers, moving north at 14 mph.

“Water levels rapidly rising in Naples,” the National Hurricane Center said.

A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration tide gauge in Naples measured a water level of 2.2 feet above mean higher high water, which is a 7-foot increase over the past hour and a half, according to the National Hurricane Center.

5:00 p.m.

Irma weakened to a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph as of the 5 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center. Irma is about 5 miles north of Naples, moving north at 14 mph.

“Dangerous storm surges are expected immediately after the eye passes along the Florida west coast,” the National Hurricane Center said.

4:25 p.m.

An extreme wind warning was issued for Lee County as the eyewall of Hurricane Irma is heading north toward southern Lee County, according to the National Weather Service of Miami.

4:05 p.m.

Irma is just 10 miles southeast of Naples as of the 4 p.m. positional advisory from the National Hurricane Center. It’s still moving north at 12 mph with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph.

This is what it looked like in Marco Island as the eyewall passed just before landfall:

4:00 p.m.

President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration, according to statement from Gov. Rick Scott. The declaration authorizes federal funding to flow directly to Floridians impacted by Hurricane Irma.

“I am thankful that President Trump, who I’ve spoken with multiple times this week, has been 100 percent supportive of our efforts and offered every resource of the federal government. Working with local emergency management professionals and FEMA, we will make sure that no expense is spared to help families respond and recover,” Scott said.

Click here to view the declaration.

3:40 p.m. 

Marco Island Emergency Operation Center recommends vertical evacuation into second or higher floor, if possible.

3:36 p.m.

Hurricane Irma is making landfall now on Marco Island, Chief Meteorologist Jim Farrell said.

The WINK News Facebook page is livestreaming continuous coverage from WINK News:

3:11 p.m.

About 70,000 Lee County Electric Cooperative customers are without power, the company said. That includes all of Marco Island.

3:05 p.m.

Irma is just 20 miles south of Naples as of the 3 p.m. positional advisory from the National Hurricane Center. It’s still moving north at 12 mph.

2:28 p.m.

Trees are getting uprooted in Naples, as WINK News reporter Olivia Mancino shows from Collier County emergency management headquarters on Lely Cultural Parkway.

2:02 p.m.

Irma has weakened to a Category 3 hurricane as of the 2 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center. It has wind speeds of 120 mph as it looms about 35 miles south of Naples, moving north at 12 mph.

The eyewall is just 8 miles south of Marco Island, Chief Meteorologist Jim Farrell said. The strongest winds in the next couple of hours will be felt in the Naples and Marco Island area, the National Hurricane Center said.

WINK News is streaming continuous coverage on TV and on Facebook:

1:38 p.m.

Gov. Rick Scott is seeking a Major Disaster Declaration for every county in Florida.

Scott has asked President Donald Trump to order the federal declaration that would make it easier to access emergency funds.

“As Hurricane Irma makes landfall in Florida, we are fully committed to providing every resource to Floridians for response and recovery,” Scott said. “We will spare no expense to save lives and help Floridians. We’ve worked aggressively all week to prepare for this powerful storm and keep people safe, but we have a long road ahead.”

1:07 p.m.

Irma was only about 50 miles south of Naples as of the National Hurricane Center’s 1 p.m. positional advisory. It’s still packing 130 mph winds.

12:40 p.m.

About 34,000 Lee county Electric Cooperative customers are without power, the company said.

The outages are due to the effects of Hurricane Irma, and the company will not pre-emptively turn off power, it said.

12:37 p.m.

An extreme wind warning was issued for southwestern Collier County as the eyewall of Hurricane Irma draws near.

Winds above 115 mph were approaching the coast 10 miles south of Everglades City as of 12:25 p.m., the National Weather Service said, citing Doppler Radar.

The warning covers Naples, Marco Island, Chokoloskee, Golden Gate Estates and Everglades City.

11:46 a.m.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers are coming off the roads in Charlotte, Hendry, Glades and Lee counties to seek shelter due to deteriorating conditions and high wind gusts, the FHP said.

Many traffic signals are out, and there is debris in the road, according to the FHP.

11:40 a.m.

Emergency services for Charlotte County and the City of Punta Gorda are suspended until the storm passes, officials said.

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, Charlotte County Fire and EMS, and City of Punta Gorda first responders won’t respond to calls as Hurricane Irma passes. Dispatchers will answer 911 calls that come in, but emergency crews won’t go out until it’s safe to do so.

“Now is the time to hunker down and take care of each other,” Charlotte County Public Safety Director Bill Van Helden said.

11:22 a.m.

Approximately 20,000 Lee County Electric Cooperative customers are without power, the company said.

Most are in Marco Island and Sanibel, spokeswoman Karen Ryan said.

11 a.m.

Irma’s forecast track shifted slightly east in the 11 a.m. advisory.

The storm is now forecast to pass directly over Sanibel as either a Category 3 or Category 4 Hurricane, WINK Meteorologist Matt Devitt said. But all of Southwest Florida will feel effects.

Irma’s winds are still at 130 mph — Category 4 strength — as it moves north at 9 miles per hour. It was about 80 miles south-southeast of Naples as of 11 a.m.

The latest cone is below:

10:26 a.m.

Lee County deputies will be pulled from the roads once winds reach 40 mph, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said.

Winds are expected to reach those speeds between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m., deputies said.

9:43 a.m.

In addition to Hendry County Emergency Medical Services, Hendry County Fire, Clewiston Police Department and the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office crews are no longer responding to calls for service due to storm conditions, according to county officials.

This is an update to a previous post at 9:15 a.m.

9:34 a.m.

Lee County emergency management officials provide updates on Hurricane Irma:

9:30 a.m.

Hurricane Irma makes landfall on Cudjoe Key in the lower Florida Keys, the National Hurricane Center said.

9:15 a.m.

All Hendry County Emergency Medical services have been shut down due to storm conditions, county officials said. Services will resume once wind gusts are lower than 35 mph.

9:03 a.m.

Below are the following number of customers without power in Southwest Florida counties released from Florida, Power and Light:

  • Collier: 3,010
  • Lee: 1,350
  • Charlotte: 230

8:17 a.m.

Florida Highway Patrol is pulling troopers off the roads in Collier County due to storm conditions, said Lt. Greg Bueno.

Bueno said people should find shelter as conditions continue to worsen.

“There are no fuel stations open in this area please use common sense, stay sheltered and safe!” Bueno wrote in an email.

8 a.m.

Map forecast via National Hurricane Center

The 8 a.m. advisory keeps Hurricane Irma as a Category 4 storm as the center is about to make landfall in the lower Florida Keys, the National Hurricane Center said.

Hurricane Irma has maximum sustained winds at 130 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is moving north-northwest at 8 mph. The system is about 20 miles east-southeast of Key West, and about 110 miles south of Naples.

Hurricane Warnings in effect for Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus and Villa Clara were discontinued by the Cuban government, according to the National Hurricane Center.

7:27 a.m.

The Marco Island Police and Marco Island Fire Rescue Departments will suspend calls for service at 7:30 a.m. due to storm conditions, the Marco Island Police Department said.

Calls for service will resume when wind speeds reduce, according to officials.

7:07 a.m.

The northern eyewall of Hurricane Irma has reached the lower Florida Keys, the National Hurricane Center said.

6:57 a.m.

All first responders will be pulled off the roads at 7 a.m., according to Collier County emergency management officials.

Kate Albers, the Collier County emergency management public information center said Collier County had sustained tropical storm force winds of 40 mph.

“Shelter in place if you are in Collier County right now,” Albers said.

WINK News reporter Oliver Redsten was live in Collier County with more:

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6:15 a.m.

The Immokalee Fire Control District stopped responding to calls for service at 6 a.m. due to storm conditions, according to a Facebook post.

Fire officials advise people to have shelter in place until at least Monday, and crews will resume service calls once it is safe to do so.

5:50 a.m.

WINK News reporter John Trierweiler was live in Cape Coral with the latest storm conditions:

This video is not available.

5 a.m.

Map forecast via National Hurricane Center

The 5 a.m. advisory keeps Hurricane Irma as a Category 4 storm as the eye approaches the lower Florida Keys, the National Hurricane Center said.

Hurricane Irma’s maximum sustained winds are maintained at 130 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is moving northwest at 8 mph. The system is about 45 miles south-southeast of Key West and about 140 miles south of Naples.

The Hurricane Warning previously issued for the Northwest Bahamas was replaced by the Government of Bahamas with a Tropical Storm Watch for the islands of Bimini and Grand Bahama, according to the National Hurricane Center.

WINK meteorologists Matt Devitt and Zach Maloch went over the latest forecast track:

4:48 a.m.

Gov. Rick Scott tweeted early Sunday morning reminding people to keep their phones charged.

4:30 a.m.

WINK meteorologists Matt Devitt and Zach Maloch answer your questions live on WINK News:

1:55 a.m.

The 2 a.m. advisory keeps Hurricane Irma strengthened into a Category 4 storm, the National Hurricane Center said.

Hurricane Irma has maximum sustained winds at 130 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. The system is moving northwest at 6 mph. The storm is about 40 miles north-northeast of Varadero, Cuba, and about 70 miles southeast of Key West, Florida.

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the south Santee River southward to Jupiter Inlet, North Miami Beach southward around the Florida peninsula to the Ochlockonee River, the Florida Keys, and Tampa Bay, the National Hurricane Center said.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Fernandina Beach southward around the Florida peninsula to Indian Pass, the Florida Keys, Lake Okeechobee, Florida Bay, Andros Island, Bimini, Grand Bahama, and the Cuban provinces of Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus, Villa Clara, Matanzas, and La Habana, the National Hurricane Center said.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for north of Fernandina Beach to Edisto Beach, the National Hurricane Center said.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for west of Indian Pass to the Okaloosa/Walton County Line, and north of Fernandina Beach to South Santee River, the National Hurricane Center said.

WINK meteorologists Matt Devitt and Zach Maloch went over Hurricane Irma’s latest forecast track:

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