SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Flooding and surge in SWFL caused by Hurricane Helene Southwest Florida is experiencing major flooding caused by the indirect impact of Hurricane Helene, a category 4 hurricane.
FORT MYERS BEACH LCSO deploying rescue boat at Fort Myers Beach According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, a rescue boat was deployed at Fort Myers Beach on Thursday evening.
Power outages reported throughout Southwest Florida The Lee County Electric Cooperative has reported power outages throughout the area.
Punta Gorda Assistant City Manager stresses safety during Helene The Assistant City Manager of Punta Gorda spoke with WINK News reporters Lois Thome and Chris Cifatte during Helene Thursday afternoon.
Collier awaiting federal funding on state nursing home project Collier County is steadily moving ahead with building a $72 million, 120-bed veterans home and day care facility. In early October, the county’s team will meet with the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs.
WINK NEWS Roads closed as rain from outer bands of Helene start covering SWFL Hurricane Helene has brought heavy rainfall to Southwest Florida, causing significant flooding in many areas.
Images of how outer effects of Hurricane Helene is impacting Southwest Florida As Hurricane Helene gears up to make landfall in Florida’s Big Bend area, parts of Southwest Florida are already beginning to feel the outer effects of the storm.
the weather authority Hurricane Helene strengthens into Category 4 storm The Weather Authority continues its coverage of Hurricane Helene, a powerful Category 2 storm set to hit the northern part of Florida.
NORTH FORT MYERS Winds from outer bands of Helene tear roof off North Fort Myers home A homeowner has been left without a roof after winds from the outer bands of Hurricane Helene blew it off of her home in North Fort Myers at Palm Creek Road.
Lee County Public Safety provides update regarding Hurricane Helene Lee County Public Safety Director Ben Abes informed the public about updates surrounding the effects of Hurricane Helene.
WINK NEWS What’s open and what’s closed as Helene affects SWFL As Hurricane Helene travels north in the Gulf of Mexico, many businesses and services in Southwest Florida are adjusting their hours or closing temporarily.
SANIBEL Sanibel closes several roads due to flooding from Hurricane Helene The City of Sanibel has provided an update regarding the impacts of Hurricane Helene, closing several roads.
Tallahassee Gov. DeSantis provides morning update before Helene’s landfall Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis provided updates on Hurricane Helene on the morning of the day it was expected to directly impact the state’s capital city.
WINK NEWS Some SWFL Publix stores close ahead of Helene Publix has announced that some of its stores in Southwest Florida will remain closed as Hurricane Helene churns in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday.
RSW cancels multiple flights due to Hurricane Helene Southwest Florida International Airport has canceled multiple flights due to the potential impacts of Hurricane Helene.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Flooding and surge in SWFL caused by Hurricane Helene Southwest Florida is experiencing major flooding caused by the indirect impact of Hurricane Helene, a category 4 hurricane.
FORT MYERS BEACH LCSO deploying rescue boat at Fort Myers Beach According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, a rescue boat was deployed at Fort Myers Beach on Thursday evening.
Power outages reported throughout Southwest Florida The Lee County Electric Cooperative has reported power outages throughout the area.
Punta Gorda Assistant City Manager stresses safety during Helene The Assistant City Manager of Punta Gorda spoke with WINK News reporters Lois Thome and Chris Cifatte during Helene Thursday afternoon.
Collier awaiting federal funding on state nursing home project Collier County is steadily moving ahead with building a $72 million, 120-bed veterans home and day care facility. In early October, the county’s team will meet with the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs.
WINK NEWS Roads closed as rain from outer bands of Helene start covering SWFL Hurricane Helene has brought heavy rainfall to Southwest Florida, causing significant flooding in many areas.
Images of how outer effects of Hurricane Helene is impacting Southwest Florida As Hurricane Helene gears up to make landfall in Florida’s Big Bend area, parts of Southwest Florida are already beginning to feel the outer effects of the storm.
the weather authority Hurricane Helene strengthens into Category 4 storm The Weather Authority continues its coverage of Hurricane Helene, a powerful Category 2 storm set to hit the northern part of Florida.
NORTH FORT MYERS Winds from outer bands of Helene tear roof off North Fort Myers home A homeowner has been left without a roof after winds from the outer bands of Hurricane Helene blew it off of her home in North Fort Myers at Palm Creek Road.
Lee County Public Safety provides update regarding Hurricane Helene Lee County Public Safety Director Ben Abes informed the public about updates surrounding the effects of Hurricane Helene.
WINK NEWS What’s open and what’s closed as Helene affects SWFL As Hurricane Helene travels north in the Gulf of Mexico, many businesses and services in Southwest Florida are adjusting their hours or closing temporarily.
SANIBEL Sanibel closes several roads due to flooding from Hurricane Helene The City of Sanibel has provided an update regarding the impacts of Hurricane Helene, closing several roads.
Tallahassee Gov. DeSantis provides morning update before Helene’s landfall Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis provided updates on Hurricane Helene on the morning of the day it was expected to directly impact the state’s capital city.
WINK NEWS Some SWFL Publix stores close ahead of Helene Publix has announced that some of its stores in Southwest Florida will remain closed as Hurricane Helene churns in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday.
RSW cancels multiple flights due to Hurricane Helene Southwest Florida International Airport has canceled multiple flights due to the potential impacts of Hurricane Helene.
The historic district in Punta Gorda is known to flood during rain and storm surge events. Now, people in Punta Gorda are trying to decide whether to stay or leave after Charlotte County ordered evacuations. The historic district is located at the intersection of West Olympia Avenue and Taylor Street, just blocks from the Peace River. Sitting in his car staring out at the Peace River, Donald Woods is waiting for Helene. “Just sitting here watching it get bad, and if it does get bad… I’m leaving,” said Woods. While the sight doesn’t scare Woods, it does bring up scary memories for others. “I actually have pretty bad storm anxiety, especially from Ian,” said Punta Gorda resident Amy Griffin. “So I’m trying not to get myself too worked up with this, but I’m actually OK. I feel right now, [it’s] just gonna be a lot of rain and wind.” The rain and possible storm surge is what downtown Punta Gorda residents are focused on. “During Ian and Idalia, people were in their canoes. We had that much water. And some places downtown that’s even worse. They had their knees recovered in water. Their homes had water in them. So you will see this place completely underwater,” said Punta Gorda resident Barbara. This is why everyone’s preparing in their own way, from one last dog walk to locking down. “We’re gonna go for a little walk. And then, yeah, that’ll probably be it for the day,” said Griffin. “We’re hunkered as can be. The moment the rain starts to fall and the wind starts to pick up, the shutters are going down,” said Barbara. They are staying informed. “Just gotta listen to the news! Do what they say. If it says, run, run, catch a plane up out of Florida, and hopefully you’ll make it,” said Woods. If you need a shelter in Charlotte County, two opened this afternoon, and they are pet-friendly. Download the WINK Weather app, stream the latest forecast or WINK Doppler 3x anywhere you go.