How Southwest Florida is preparing for Hurricane Helene

Author: Sommer Senne, Camila Pereira, Jillian Haggerty Writer: Nicholas Karsen
Published: Updated:

Hurricane Helene is rapidly approaching Florida, bringing potentially dangerous weather conditions to the Southwest area.

Locals have been urged to prepare before the storm hits, as shelters have begun to open ahead of potential impacts.

In Charlotte County, residents have been notified to evacuate if they live in temporary housing and barrier islands like Don Pedro Island, Knight Islands, Little Gasparilla Island, Gasparilla Island and Manasota Key.

In low-lying and flood-prone areas, manufactured homes and homes that are weak to high winds, like trailers and mobile homes, are advised to evacuate.

Two shelters have been opened by the Charlotte County Commission starting at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

The shelter locations are at Harold Avenue Regional Park and Kingsway Elementary School.

Evacuation orders have not yet been issued for residents living inland; however, the storm’s unpredictable nature may encompass a larger area of the county.

In Fort Myers Beach, residents remain cautious and alert for storm impacts as efforts to prep are underway.

The area experienced a significant storm surge during Tropical Storm Debby in August, prompting fear and anxiety ahead of Helene.

Residents have taken the precaution of fortifying their properties with sandbags.

The current storm surge forecast for Fort Myers Beach is around 2 to 4 feet of water.

Waste Management is suspending trash and recycling pick-up in Lee County on Thursday. They expect a one-day delay. Thursday pickup will now be on Friday, and regular operations begin again on Monday. Right now, Charlotte and Collier County services are normal.

In Charlotte County, Waste Management will be suspended for Thursday. Residential collection will be delayed one day the rest of the week; Thursday on Friday and Friday on Saturday. Regular operations will resume on Monday.

As part of the efforts to prepare for storm impacts, Floridians have taken to gas stations to fill up their vehicles, causing stations to become overfilled with motorists.

In Naples, WINK News has reported that stations along Route 41 have run out of gasoline in certain locations.

Locals are advised to fill their vehicles before the storm begins affecting the area.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.