BREAKING NEWS SWFL schools affected due to Milton

Charlotte County declares state of emergency, orders evacuations, opens shelters

Writer: Carolina Guzman
Published: Updated:
wind
CREDIT: WINK News

The Charlotte County Commission has declared a local state of emergency due to Tropical Storm Helene.

The county is currently under a tropical storm and storm surge watch on Tuesday.

The current forecast indicates the earliest onset of tropical-storm-force winds on Wednesday by 10 p.m.

Evacuations have been ordered for barrier islands, low-lying and flood-prone areas, manufactured homes and any homes that may not withstand high winds, such as those that may be comprised from previous storms. 

Two shelters will open on Wednesday at 1 p.m. One is at Regional Park, 23400 Harold Ave., in Port Charlotte, and another is at Kingsway Elementary School, 23300 Quasar Blvd., in Port Charlotte.

Schools will also be closed on Thursday and Friday, but after-school activities are canceled beginning on Wednesday.

Tropical storm-force winds are forecast for parts of Charlotte County as early as late Wednesday night. The storm surge is forecast to be 3 to 5 feet in coastal areas.

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