Sanibel spokesperson speaks on plans for Milton recovery effortsCharlotte County EOC in full swing to respond to Hurricane Milton
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 Cat 2 strength, heavy impacts expected in SWFL The Weather Authority is continuing to track Hurricane Milton, which continues to be a major hurricane even as it was downgraded slightly.
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.
27 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.
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.
Roadways affected by Milton As Southwest Florida feels the effects of Hurricane Milton, roads are being affected.
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.
WINK NEWS Images of how Milton is impacting Southwest Florida Just shy of two weeks after Hurricane Helene made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Southwest Florida residents are once again facing life-threatening storm conditions by Hurricane Milton.
WINK NEWS List of shelters in SWFL ahead of Milton As Hurricane Milton approaches, shelters are opening across Southwest Florida to provide safety and refuge for residents.
NAPLES Mandatory curfews begins across Southwest Florida Mandatory driving curfews are being implemented starting Wednesday afternoon ahead of Hurricane Milton in Southwest Florida.
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 Cat 2 strength, heavy impacts expected in SWFL The Weather Authority is continuing to track Hurricane Milton, which continues to be a major hurricane even as it was downgraded slightly.
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.
27 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.
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.
Roadways affected by Milton As Southwest Florida feels the effects of Hurricane Milton, roads are being affected.
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.
WINK NEWS Images of how Milton is impacting Southwest Florida Just shy of two weeks after Hurricane Helene made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Southwest Florida residents are once again facing life-threatening storm conditions by Hurricane Milton.
WINK NEWS List of shelters in SWFL ahead of Milton As Hurricane Milton approaches, shelters are opening across Southwest Florida to provide safety and refuge for residents.
NAPLES Mandatory curfews begins across Southwest Florida Mandatory driving curfews are being implemented starting Wednesday afternoon ahead of Hurricane Milton in Southwest Florida.
Habitat for Humanity just got some big news regarding disaster recovery funds designed to make an impact on affordable housing projects across Southwest Florida. The Lee and Hendry County non-profit applied for a grant back in April, and on Tuesday, the Lee County Board of Commissioners approved them for $50 million. “This is an amazing feeling that we receive this level of support from our county,” said Becky Lucas, CEO of Habitat for Humanity in Lee and Hendry Counties, during an exclusive interview with WINK News. It’s all a part of the long-term recovery efforts following Hurricane Ian, and the money will support the development of hundreds of new single-family homes. “Providing affordable homeownership is key to long-term recovery,” explained Lucas. But affordable homeownership can be tough to find, especially two years after Hurricane Ian when the need for affordable housing has grown tremendously. “Currently we have eight to ten new families walk in our door every day needing housing help,” he said. And that number is for Lee County alone. Lucas said, “Currently, we’re working with over 300 families through our HUD-certified housing counseling services to get people on a path to affordable homeownership.” The $50 million grant, which is an allocation of funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will help complete two neighborhoods currently under construction: Heritage Heights in Fort Myers and McNeill Village in North Fort Myers. Three additional projects – Diplomat South in Cape Coral, White Coral Estates in Fort Myers and Red Hibiscus in Bonita Springs – will also move forward thanks to this funding. “The grant that we were approved for today are reimbursable funds,” explained Lucas. “That means this is not upfront funding. That means that we will be building first, spending the money first, and then getting reimbursed for those funds. What that means is that our donors and volunteers mean just as much to us today as we did prior to receiving this grant approval.” The new homes will also be constructed using state-of-the-art hurricane protection. “We are not building in a flood zone,” said Lucas. “Also, we are now building gold fortified homes, that is the most resilient home that can now be built… That means that it is extra impenetrable to winds in this area, and so the result of that means a lower home insurance bill for our families.” If you are looking for an affordable home, Habitat for Humanity holds monthly informational meetings in both English and Spanish to educate the public about its affordable homeownership program. Habitat offers homeownership opportunities to households who earn between 30-80% of the area median income. A meeting schedule, application information and eligibility requirements can be found here: Habitat4Humanity.org/apply. Since 1982, Habitat has successfully constructed and sold more than 1,846 affordable homes to qualified low-income families in both Hendry and Lee counties.