Bonita Springs families hope to see no potential flooding

Families we spoke to were not worried about Hurricane Elsa Friday night. They are preparing.

They hope, if Elsa brings rain to Southwest Florida, they don’t see flooding like what Hurricane Sally brought in 2020.

Some people who live along the Imperial River in Bonita Springs are leaving for the holiday weekend and hoping the area doesn’t flood like it normally does. Others have already put their shutters up and are prepared for the worst just in case.

Southwest Florida is no stranger to hurricanes. People living along the Imperial River remember Hurricane Irma in 2017.

“That was a little hairy at times,” Michael Greek said.

Some of their neighborhoods flooded.

But for Elsa, they aren’t too concerned.

“You have to be boy scout ready,” Greek said.

Greek knew Elsa wasn’t close to Irma’s strength Friday, but he still prepared.

“You get canned goods,” Greek said.

It’s the hurry up and wait game, and after living in Southwest Florida for 35 years, Greek says he knows what to expect.

“We put away anything that will blow out of the yard,” Greek said. “Bundle up the windows with the cane shutters, and just get ready.”

“It’s never a big deal until it’s a big deal,” Greek said with a laugh.

If you need sandbags, Bonita Springs Fire Control & Rescue District will have a pile of sand Tuesday. The fire district says that’s the earliest it can get it. Each household can get 25 sandbags.