Lee County prepares for Tropical Storm Helene’s effects

Writer: Nicholas Karsen
Published: Updated:

Lee County officials want residents to be prepared for the effects of Tropical Storm Helene, which is forecast to become a hurricane.

During a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Lee County Public Safety Director Ben Abes stated that the critical community concerns include storm surge and heavy winds from the storm.

You can watch the full news conference above.

As of the 11 a.m. National Hurricane Center advisory, Helene had reached maximum sustained winds of 45 mph.

Abes anticipates that the storm’s intensity will call for a level two response from the Emergency Operations Center.

Locals have been asked to refrain from cutting trees as the Lee County Solid Waste Department will be redirected to help clear debris ahead of the storm.

Abes urged Lee County residents to plan accordingly and to stay informed via local media outlets and the National Weather Service.

Lee County officials will hold an emergency meeting at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Though the forecast path does not include a direct impact on Southwest Florida, the outer effects have put much of the area under a flood watch.

Download the WINK Weather app, stream the latest forecast or WINK Doppler 3x anywhere you go.

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