Flooding in Lee County as heavy rain covers Southwest Florida

Flooding near Chiquita (CREDIT: WINK News Viewer)

A flood advisory has been issued for a portion of Southwest Florida as heavy rain, and thunderstorms hit the area.

According to the Fort Myers Police Department, nearly all streets in the downtown Fort Myers area were not passable. Some areas, including Fowler’s Street, have reopened.

The majority of Palm Beach Boulevard, within the city limits, is shut down.

FMPD will be closing Westbound Palm Beach Boulevard at East Riverside Drive to Park due to roadway flooding.

There are flooded cars in the area, but no injuries have been reported. Police are encouraging people to stay off the roads.

According to the Cape Coral Police Department, all of South Cape is flooded. Chiquita Boulevard, Embers Parkway, Burnt Store Road, and Nicholas Parkway are underwater.

Officials say the Lee Emergency Operations Center is expected to send an update soon.

Police have between 30 and 40 calls in the queue for flooded or stalled vehicles in the road.

National Weather Service put Lee County under a flood advisory until 7:45 p.m. on Monday. WINK News Chief Meteorologist Matt Devitt said as much as ten inches of rain have fallen in Cape Coral.

Isolated storms are expected to continue overnight, according to Devitt.

WINK News spoke with Seth, a Cape Coral resident about how he is handling the storm.

“I left the house I had to go to the store. I got to my street, and there was no way I could get down it. So I had to get out and walk, as you can see hahaha. I’m from the midwest. I ain’t dealt with nothing like this. From Hurricane Ian to this, I might have to go back home,” said Seth.