Power outages reported throughout Southwest FloridaPunta Gorda Assistant City Manager stresses safety during Helene
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.
Charlotte County officials provide update ahead of Hurricane Helene Charlotte County officials are set to hold a news conference regarding the potential impacts of Hurricane Helene.
the weather authority Hurricane Helene forecast to strengthen into Category 4 storm The Weather Authority continues to monitor Hurricane Helene, a Category 1 storm that is now forecast to increase to a Category 4 storm before hitting the Florida Panhandle.
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.
Charlotte County officials provide update ahead of Hurricane Helene Charlotte County officials are set to hold a news conference regarding the potential impacts of Hurricane Helene.
the weather authority Hurricane Helene forecast to strengthen into Category 4 storm The Weather Authority continues to monitor Hurricane Helene, a Category 1 storm that is now forecast to increase to a Category 4 storm before hitting the Florida Panhandle.
Credit: WINK News Though Hurricane Helene is far offshore, the Category 3 storm has brought heavy rainfall to Southwest Florida, causing significant flooding in many areas. Streets are underwater, and residents are urged to stay indoors as water levels continue rising. WINK News is continuing to monitor road closures as city officials announce them. Lee County Due to heavy flooding in Downtown Fort Myers, the Edison Bridge will be closed in all directions. LCSO is encouraging motorists traveling on the Matlacha Bridge to enter at their own risk due to storm surge flooding. Fort Myers Poinsettia Avenue and First Street Westbound Palm Beach Boulevard at Seaboard Street Park Ave and Second Street All residential side streets of First Street Evans Ave and Providence Street West First Street from Monroe Street to Carson Street Heitman Street from Main St to West First Street Southbound ramp from Caloosahatchee Bridge onto West First Street Bay/Hendry Bay/Heitman W First/Wilna W First/Beau Rivage Hendry/Edwards Bay/Dean W First/Clifford Cypress Lane and East Riverside Drive Pine Island Road near Matlacha Isles The area near Seafan Circle and Orange Grove Boulevard is currently flooded. Gasparilla Road toward Boca Grande is flooded with water from high surf in the Gulf. Fort Myers Beach Roadway impassible on San Carlos Blvd toward Fort Myers Beach. The Fort Myers Beach Fire Department has advised stopping all traffic at Pine Ridge Road and San Carlos Boulevard due to the current roadway flooding. Sanibel According to the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District, water is starting to come over the wall at Blind Pass. The roadway is debris-filled but still passable. Other areas on the island with noticeable flooding are Lighthouse Beach Park, Bailey Road, the intersection of Dixie Beach Road and Poinciana and Bowman’s Beach Road. The Sanibel Causeway currently has no flooding over the roadway, but Sanibel Fire is urging people not to drive through the flooded areas with their cars and to try to find alternative routes. The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District has two high-water vehicles on the island to help respond to emergency calls. Lehigh Acres 5300 block of 2nd St W between Marvin Ave and Norman Ave closed due to a powerline fire. Charlotte County North Port The city of North Port Public Works team is working to respond to reports of downed trees and broken street lights. Punta Gorda The northbound U.S. 41 bridge over the Peace River is closed until further notice due to road flooding. Streets along Gilcrest Park have already begun to flood due to the outer bands of Hurricane Helene, and water has been pouring out of the storm drains. To prepare for severe flooding, road-closed signs have been placed along these streets. The storm drains in Chasteen Street are overflowing, and the water is reaching the grass, sidewalks, and driveways of homes. There are signs on the street that say “road closed” because the area is known to flood. Police are also out to ensure no one is out on the streets. Beach Road in Englewood is closed from State Road 776 to the Charlotte-Sarasota county line due to flooding from Hurricane Helene. The following roadways are currently impassable. ALL roads on the east side of Olympia Ave. Henry St. between Shreve St. and 41 To get to Olympia Avenue, motorists can instead take Virginia Ave. to Cooper St., turn onto Lavilla Rd., and turn left onto Elliot St. or Tabor Street. The following roads are still flooded. Berry St. between W. Retta Esplanade and W. Marion Ave. Chasteen St., Berry St., Dolly St., Gill St., Sullivan St. (between W. Retta Esplanade and W. Marion Ave.) Dolly St. between W. Marion Ave. and W. Retta Esplanade Dupont St. and E. Marion Ave. E. Marion Ave. and Cooper St. Gill St. between W. Retta Esplanade and W. Marion Ave. Nesbit St. between E. Marion Ave. and Tamiami Trail Rio Villa Dr. at Almar Dr Rio Villa Dr. at Vasco St Sullivan St. between W. Retta Esplanade and W. Marion Ave. Taylor St. between W. Retta Esplanade and W. Marion Ave. W. Marion Ave. between Dolly St. and Maud St. W. Marion Ave. between Tamiami Trail and Shreve St. Collier County Naples Authorities are urging drivers to stay off the roads for their safety. Gordon Drive, Gulf Shore Blvd South, the local roadways around Tin City and the City Dock all have water over the roads. Collier County is expected to be one of the first counties to see impacts of the expected 2-4 inches of Hurricane Helene’s storm surge Thursday afternoon and evening. According to the Naples Police Chief, he and his team are en route on the front lines, ready to respond to any emergencies Helene brings. The Naples Pier is experiencing heavy rains, strong wind gusts, and lightning, and 13th Avenue and surrounding streets are experiencing ankle-deep pooling. Collier safe havens are located at North Collier Regional Park, East Community Park, and Golden Gate Community Center. Dogs and cats are allowed but will be housed separately from guests. These safe havens will close at 8 p.m. on Thursday. Several areas of Collier County will have roadway or higher flooding tonight from storm surge related to Hurricane Helene. The primary areas of concern are: City of Naples Bayshore Drive Isle of Capri Brookside – North Road Area Chokoloskee Bonita Shores Gulf Harbor North Naples – Gulf Shore Drive Plantation Island and Everglades City Belle Meade Goodland Gateway Triangle