Fort Myers Beach works to recover from Hurricane MiltonNorth end of Manasota Key open to residents and businesses
Fort Myers Beach works to recover from Hurricane Milton For the first time since Hurricane Milton ravaged the area, Fort Myers Beach officially reopened to the public Saturday morning.
North end of Manasota Key open to residents and businesses According to Charlotte County, the north end of Manasota Key opened to residents and businesses at 4 p.m on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Harry Chapin Food Bank holds emergency food distributions after Milton In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, many Southwest Florida residents are facing increased hardship, including food insecurity.
Charlotte County to hold news conference regarding Milton Charlotte County is set to hold a news conference to provide an update on its response to Hurricane Milton.
President Biden approves federal aid for Florida after Hurricane Milton President Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Florida following the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Milton.
ENGLEWOOD Hurricane Milton survivors face delays as FEMA aid remains unavailable In the wake of Hurricane Milton, many Floridians are facing the daunting task of rebuilding their lives, but financial assistance from the government is in short supply.
FORT MYERS Debris drop-off sites in Lee County In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, Lee County officials have announced the planned opening of multiple public debris drop-off sites to aid residents in managing storm damage.
The weather authority A drier start to the weekend with a few showers expected The Weather Authority says we are starting out the day with temperatures feeling rather pleasant in the low 70s under partly cloudy skies.
What’s open and closed after Hurricane Milton In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, services and businesses in Southwest Florida are beginning to reopen.
SANIBEL/CAPTIVA Recovery efforts on Sanibel and Captiva after Milton Crews have opened the Sanibel causeway to everyone, even those without a hurricane re-entry pass, but the city asks that people avoid the island unless they live there or need to travel there for business.
CAPE CORAL Boat pulled away by storm surge lands in Cape Coral backyard A boat built by a father and son smashed into pieces after Hurricane Milton. Not only did the boat wash onto shore, but it washed into the seawall of someone’s home on McGregor Boulevard.
MANASOTA KEY Residents hope to return home to Manasota Key Life will never be the same for people living on Manasota Key. Right now, only emergency services and county officials are allowed on the island.
Man rescued by two Charlotte County residents during Milton Two Charlotte County men saved an evacuee during Hurricane Milton on Wednesday night.
MATLACHA Impact on local businesses on Matlacha after Milton Residents are focused on rebuilding one brick at a time.
SANIBEL First look at Sanibel after Hurricane Milton Friday, WINK News visited the island for the first time since the hurricane.
Fort Myers Beach works to recover from Hurricane Milton For the first time since Hurricane Milton ravaged the area, Fort Myers Beach officially reopened to the public Saturday morning.
North end of Manasota Key open to residents and businesses According to Charlotte County, the north end of Manasota Key opened to residents and businesses at 4 p.m on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Harry Chapin Food Bank holds emergency food distributions after Milton In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, many Southwest Florida residents are facing increased hardship, including food insecurity.
Charlotte County to hold news conference regarding Milton Charlotte County is set to hold a news conference to provide an update on its response to Hurricane Milton.
President Biden approves federal aid for Florida after Hurricane Milton President Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Florida following the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Milton.
ENGLEWOOD Hurricane Milton survivors face delays as FEMA aid remains unavailable In the wake of Hurricane Milton, many Floridians are facing the daunting task of rebuilding their lives, but financial assistance from the government is in short supply.
FORT MYERS Debris drop-off sites in Lee County In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, Lee County officials have announced the planned opening of multiple public debris drop-off sites to aid residents in managing storm damage.
The weather authority A drier start to the weekend with a few showers expected The Weather Authority says we are starting out the day with temperatures feeling rather pleasant in the low 70s under partly cloudy skies.
What’s open and closed after Hurricane Milton In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, services and businesses in Southwest Florida are beginning to reopen.
SANIBEL/CAPTIVA Recovery efforts on Sanibel and Captiva after Milton Crews have opened the Sanibel causeway to everyone, even those without a hurricane re-entry pass, but the city asks that people avoid the island unless they live there or need to travel there for business.
CAPE CORAL Boat pulled away by storm surge lands in Cape Coral backyard A boat built by a father and son smashed into pieces after Hurricane Milton. Not only did the boat wash onto shore, but it washed into the seawall of someone’s home on McGregor Boulevard.
MANASOTA KEY Residents hope to return home to Manasota Key Life will never be the same for people living on Manasota Key. Right now, only emergency services and county officials are allowed on the island.
Man rescued by two Charlotte County residents during Milton Two Charlotte County men saved an evacuee during Hurricane Milton on Wednesday night.
MATLACHA Impact on local businesses on Matlacha after Milton Residents are focused on rebuilding one brick at a time.
SANIBEL First look at Sanibel after Hurricane Milton Friday, WINK News visited the island for the first time since the hurricane.
Damaged boats in Lee County. (Credit: WINK News) Countless boats are littered across the shoreline in Lee County and are not helping the Hurricane Ian recovery process. WINK News is learning about where Lee County plans on taking the damaged and displaced boats. The county already has a lease with a company called Safe Harbor for a marina named Waterway Estates. While Safe Harbor builds that marina, they also want to help with hurricane recovery efforts. The plan is for them to take in derelict boats, triage them, and get them back on the water. Damaged boats in Lee County. (Credit: WINK News) It’s not a good look having damaged boats in mangroves, on top of vehicles, or crushing other boats. It’s a scene that is still hard to believe for many. “It’s created this need to find a place to triage some of these boats so they can get back in the water and ultimately get to their final destination,” said Lee County Commissioner Brian Hamman. Hamman knows the boating community needs help, so at Tuesday’s commissioner meeting, he pitched a solution. “This company called Safe Harbor Marina has already had a lease with us on this piece of property. They said, ‘look, we’re a marina company, we have a lease for marina on this piece of property, you have a need right now to get these boats repaired.’ How about we come together to see if we can do something to help the community.” Peter Clark, the chief development officer for Safe Harbor Marinas, said the goal is to triage boats in good enough condition to be salvaged. “We’re looking for a temporary use to store in triage boats because getting them off the shoreline. Getting them out of docks that are in current disrepair is very important to getting back to normal. Not only for our marinas before residents as well,” said Clark. People like Dan Hamilton and Bob McCormick are all for the plan. “Anything we can do to enhance the boat in (the) community, I think it’s a good thing,” said Hamilton. “I believe with Dan 100%. It’s right in our backyard, but an emergency is an emergency, and we’re all here to help each other, so I’m all for it that’s all I can tell you,” said McCormick. The marina can store up to 239 boats up to 50 feet in length. Triage turn time would be two to three months each. Commissioners voted to move forward with the idea, but they will first need to amend the lease to allow for this use by the marina. The county attorney must also allow an emergency use authorization for hurricane response.