MATLACHA Matlacha after Hurricane Milton Matlacha and Pine Island Fire Control District crews began assessing Matlacha in the early hours of Thursday morning after Hurricane Milton began pushing further inland.
First responders resume emergency response WINK News will update this article as first responders announce they are resuming their emergency response. First responders continue to reiterate, the deadliest time of a hurricane happens post storm. Downed power lines, scattered storm debris, flooding and lost traffic signals, all add to that danger. On Wednesday, many local agencies deemed it was no […]
Tallahassee Gov. DeSantis to hold news conference in Tallahassee Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Tallahassee regarding post-Hurricane Milton.
36 preliminary reports of tornadoes in Florida caused by Milton You may have seen videos and pictures of tornadoes due to Hurricane Milton and the damage they have caused in Southwest Florida.
Roadways affected by Milton As Southwest Florida feels the effects of Hurricane Milton, roads are being affected.
SANIBEL Sanibel spokesperson speaks on plans for Milton recovery efforts Eric Jackson, the Public Information Officer for Sanibel, said the first point of order is finding out wether residents are able make their way back home safely.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County EOC in full swing to respond to Hurricane Milton WINK News reporter Annalise Iraola went to the Charlotte County EOC and spoke with Public Information Officer Todd Dunn about what’s happening within the EOC as Milton impacts Southwest Florida.
Important numbers and links as Milton approaches SWFL general area As Hurricane Milton approaches the Florida coast, here are resources in the state, county and city level.
Hurricane Milton weakens to Cat 1 The Weather Authority is continuing to track Hurricane Milton, which as of the 2 a.m. update, has downgraded to a Category 1 strength.
Biden holds press conference on Hurricane Milton President Joe Biden held a press conference on Hurricane Milton on Wednesday evening.
SOUTH FORT MYERS The Villas in Fort Myers sees damage due to Hurricane Milton As Hurricane Milton made its way to Florida, residents in the Villas in South Fort Myers went through a possible tornado around 12 p.m. on Wednesday.
Tracking Milton: Power outages across SWFL The Lee County Electric Cooperative has reported power outages throughout the area due to the effects of Hurricane Milton.
TALLAHASSEE DeSantis holds news conference in Tallahassee Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is holding a news conference regarding Hurricane Milton.
NORTH FORT MYERS Potential tornado touchdown in North Fort Myers Neighbors said there was a lot of damage. Residents surveyed the aftermath on their vehicles.
What’s open and closed for Hurricane Milton As Hurricane Milton gains momentum toward the west coast of Florida, services and businesses in Southwest Florida are adjusting their hours or closing temporarily.
MATLACHA Matlacha after Hurricane Milton Matlacha and Pine Island Fire Control District crews began assessing Matlacha in the early hours of Thursday morning after Hurricane Milton began pushing further inland.
First responders resume emergency response WINK News will update this article as first responders announce they are resuming their emergency response. First responders continue to reiterate, the deadliest time of a hurricane happens post storm. Downed power lines, scattered storm debris, flooding and lost traffic signals, all add to that danger. On Wednesday, many local agencies deemed it was no […]
Tallahassee Gov. DeSantis to hold news conference in Tallahassee Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Tallahassee regarding post-Hurricane Milton.
36 preliminary reports of tornadoes in Florida caused by Milton You may have seen videos and pictures of tornadoes due to Hurricane Milton and the damage they have caused in Southwest Florida.
Roadways affected by Milton As Southwest Florida feels the effects of Hurricane Milton, roads are being affected.
SANIBEL Sanibel spokesperson speaks on plans for Milton recovery efforts Eric Jackson, the Public Information Officer for Sanibel, said the first point of order is finding out wether residents are able make their way back home safely.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County EOC in full swing to respond to Hurricane Milton WINK News reporter Annalise Iraola went to the Charlotte County EOC and spoke with Public Information Officer Todd Dunn about what’s happening within the EOC as Milton impacts Southwest Florida.
Important numbers and links as Milton approaches SWFL general area As Hurricane Milton approaches the Florida coast, here are resources in the state, county and city level.
Hurricane Milton weakens to Cat 1 The Weather Authority is continuing to track Hurricane Milton, which as of the 2 a.m. update, has downgraded to a Category 1 strength.
Biden holds press conference on Hurricane Milton President Joe Biden held a press conference on Hurricane Milton on Wednesday evening.
SOUTH FORT MYERS The Villas in Fort Myers sees damage due to Hurricane Milton As Hurricane Milton made its way to Florida, residents in the Villas in South Fort Myers went through a possible tornado around 12 p.m. on Wednesday.
Tracking Milton: Power outages across SWFL The Lee County Electric Cooperative has reported power outages throughout the area due to the effects of Hurricane Milton.
TALLAHASSEE DeSantis holds news conference in Tallahassee Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is holding a news conference regarding Hurricane Milton.
NORTH FORT MYERS Potential tornado touchdown in North Fort Myers Neighbors said there was a lot of damage. Residents surveyed the aftermath on their vehicles.
What’s open and closed for Hurricane Milton As Hurricane Milton gains momentum toward the west coast of Florida, services and businesses in Southwest Florida are adjusting their hours or closing temporarily.
With the outbreak of coronavirus COVID-19 in the U.S., people with flu-like symptoms are being asked to self-monitor or even self-quarantine. But what does that mean if you’re faced with that decision? We asked The Florida Department of Health what the process looks like, and they said in an emailed response: [We are] actively involved in enhanced surveillance for respiratory illness that may be COVID-19. Epidemiologists will follow up on any suspected cases that meet criteria for COVID-19 to arrange for testing when needed and monitor contacts of any confirmed cases, if they occur. The Department will communicate regularly with the public and health care providers with updates on COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.” It’s been two weeks since Holley Rauen made it back to the U.S. after a 30-day trip throughout Southeast Asia. “I was actually fully convinced that neither of us had the coronavirus,” she said. But then, she got a call from the Lee County Health Department after she and her partner returned home, instructing them to self-monitor for 14 days. “[The health department] wanted us both to monitor our temperatures, take our temperatures twice a day, to monitor ourselves for cough, for shortness of breath, a sore throat or other cold symptoms,” Rauen recalled. That was last month. Now, the CDC is telling people coming from nations with an outbreak of coronavirus to self-quarantine – that means to stay home and away from other people as much as possible. Rauen decided to heed the warnings, “We felt that it would be responsible for us to stay home as much as possible even though we felt very certain we were not at risk for spreading the virus.” She said she didn’t get any follow-up calls from the health department until she called Wednesday, “Today our fourteen days are up and they told me that they closed our case two days ago.” Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Risk Assessment and Public HealthManagement Decision Making Steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, follow the steps below to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community. Stay home except to get medical care People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to isolate at home during their illness. You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care. Do not go to work, school, or public areas. Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis. Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home People: As much as possible, you should stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. Also, you should use a separate bathroom, if available. Animals: You should restrict contact with pets and other animals while you are sick with COVID-19, just like you would around other people. Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus. When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick. If you are sick with COVID-19, avoid contact with your pet, including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with pets and wear a facemask. See COVID-19 and Animals for more information. Call ahead before visiting your doctor If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed. Wear a facemask You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) or pets and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then people who live with you should not stay in the same room with you, or they should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Cover your coughs and sneezes Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues in a lined trash can. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or, if soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Clean your hands often Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry. Soap and water are the best option if hands are visibly dirty. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid sharing personal household items You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home. After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water. Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day High touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. Also, clean any surfaces that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them. Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to the label instructions. Labels contain instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product including precautions you should take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product. Monitor your symptoms Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening (e.g., difficulty breathing). Before seeking care, call your healthcare provider and tell them that you have, or are being evaluated for, COVID-19. Put on a facemask before you enter the facility. These steps will help the healthcare provider’s office to keep other people in the office or waiting room from getting infected or exposed. Ask your healthcare provider to call the local or state health department. Persons who are placed under active monitoring or facilitated self-monitoring should follow instructions provided by their local health department or occupational health professionals, as appropriate. If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, notify the dispatch personnel that you have, or are being evaluated for COVID-19. If possible, put on a facemask before emergency medical services arrive. Discontinuing home isolation Patients with confirmed COVID-19 should remain under home isolation precautions until the risk of secondary transmission to others is thought to be low. The decision to discontinue home isolation precautions should be made on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with healthcare providers and state and local health departments. According to the CDC even if you’re just sitting two rows away from someone with coronavirus on a plane, your chances of getting it are low. RESOURCES: CDC Guidance for Risk Assessment and Public Health Management of Persons with Potential Coronavirus Disease CDC: What to do if you are sick with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Flow chart to determine risk of getting coronavirus and what action they should take to prevent from spreading