Fire erupts in Charlotte County homeRescuers race to free people trapped by Hurricane Helene after storm kills at least 35 in 4 states
PUNTA GORDA Fire erupts in Charlotte County home Authorities are responding to a fire in a Punta Gorda home on Friday afternoon.
FLORIDA Rescuers race to free people trapped by Hurricane Helene after storm kills at least 35 in 4 states Hurricane Helene left an enormous path of destruction across Florida and the entire southeastern U.S. on Friday, killing at least 35 people in four states, snapping trees like twigs, tearing apart homes and sending rescue crews on desperate missions to save people from floodwaters.
FORT MYERS Parts of Island Hopper Songwriter Festival to continue While Hurricane Helene has caused disruptions to the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest schedule, one show will continue as planned on Friday.
Downtown Fort Myers businesses reopen after Hurricane Helene Only the businesses and restaurants along Bay Street, Dean Street and Lee Street flooded—and that was with a few inches of water, not a few feet like two years ago.
Charlotte County officials: stay out as crews assess Helene’s impact Charlotte County officials are set to hold a news conference discussing the damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach homeowners cleaning up damage left by Helene Homeowners are cleaning up their homes on Fort Myers Beach after Hurricane Helene passed through Florida Thursday night.
Perry Gov. DeSantis to hold news conference in Perry Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Perry.
Blackbird Asian restaurant begins construction at Naples Bay Resort Blackbird Modern Asian waterfront restaurant began its interior buildout Sept. 23 at Naples Bay Resort & Marina in the former longtime space of Bonefish Grill, which was flooded by Hurricane Ian’s storm surge two years ago.
TALLAHASSEE DeSantis confirms 2 dead following Helene’s impact on Florida’s Big Bend Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis presented another unfortunate update on then Hurricane Helene, as another death was confirmed.
Lee County provides updates post Hurricane Helene Lee County has provided updates regarding then Hurricane Helene, and what services are available.
CHARLOTTE HARBOR Boats tossed around by Helene at Charlotte Harbor Three boats were lifted and tossed around in Charlotte Harbor due to the storm surge from Hurricane Helene Thursday night.
Trash collection will resume in Lee and Charlotte Counties Trash collection will resume in Lee and Charlotte Counties following the impacts of then Hurricane Helene.
Tim Aten Knows: Naples bookstore reopening delayed until 2025 When relocation of the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Naples was initially reported, the new store in Park Shore Plaza was expected to open a week after the old one closed in Waterside Shops.
Southwest Florida After the storm; before you hire a contractor Do your homework before hiring someone to make repairs.
WINK NEWS SWFL roads closed due to impacts from Tropical Storm Helene Hurricane Helene has brought heavy rainfall to Southwest Florida, causing significant flooding in many areas.
PUNTA GORDA Fire erupts in Charlotte County home Authorities are responding to a fire in a Punta Gorda home on Friday afternoon.
FLORIDA Rescuers race to free people trapped by Hurricane Helene after storm kills at least 35 in 4 states Hurricane Helene left an enormous path of destruction across Florida and the entire southeastern U.S. on Friday, killing at least 35 people in four states, snapping trees like twigs, tearing apart homes and sending rescue crews on desperate missions to save people from floodwaters.
FORT MYERS Parts of Island Hopper Songwriter Festival to continue While Hurricane Helene has caused disruptions to the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest schedule, one show will continue as planned on Friday.
Downtown Fort Myers businesses reopen after Hurricane Helene Only the businesses and restaurants along Bay Street, Dean Street and Lee Street flooded—and that was with a few inches of water, not a few feet like two years ago.
Charlotte County officials: stay out as crews assess Helene’s impact Charlotte County officials are set to hold a news conference discussing the damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach homeowners cleaning up damage left by Helene Homeowners are cleaning up their homes on Fort Myers Beach after Hurricane Helene passed through Florida Thursday night.
Perry Gov. DeSantis to hold news conference in Perry Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Perry.
Blackbird Asian restaurant begins construction at Naples Bay Resort Blackbird Modern Asian waterfront restaurant began its interior buildout Sept. 23 at Naples Bay Resort & Marina in the former longtime space of Bonefish Grill, which was flooded by Hurricane Ian’s storm surge two years ago.
TALLAHASSEE DeSantis confirms 2 dead following Helene’s impact on Florida’s Big Bend Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis presented another unfortunate update on then Hurricane Helene, as another death was confirmed.
Lee County provides updates post Hurricane Helene Lee County has provided updates regarding then Hurricane Helene, and what services are available.
CHARLOTTE HARBOR Boats tossed around by Helene at Charlotte Harbor Three boats were lifted and tossed around in Charlotte Harbor due to the storm surge from Hurricane Helene Thursday night.
Trash collection will resume in Lee and Charlotte Counties Trash collection will resume in Lee and Charlotte Counties following the impacts of then Hurricane Helene.
Tim Aten Knows: Naples bookstore reopening delayed until 2025 When relocation of the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Naples was initially reported, the new store in Park Shore Plaza was expected to open a week after the old one closed in Waterside Shops.
Southwest Florida After the storm; before you hire a contractor Do your homework before hiring someone to make repairs.
WINK NEWS SWFL roads closed due to impacts from Tropical Storm Helene Hurricane Helene has brought heavy rainfall to Southwest Florida, causing significant flooding in many areas.
Punta Gorda post Tropical Storm Helene. Credit: WINK News Charlotte County officials are asking people who have no immediate business or reason to be in the county to stay away as they continue to assess damage caused by Hurricane Helene. “Don’t come to Charlotte County right now. Stay away,” said Emergency Management Director Patrick Fuller at a news conference Friday. He noted that air and search teams are still working in the area to assess the extent of the damage to the county. On Thursday night and into Friday morning, he said emergency crews responded to over 200 calls for rescues. He said there have been no confirmed deaths, but the assessment continues. When asked about the level of water damage to homes from the flooding, he said county and city teams are continuing to work from air, land, and sea, but he expects a number “shortly.” When asked about the number of homes damaged by flooding, Fuller said, “We do not have an exact number, though we do know it’s extensive.” He said it was no surprise that most of the damage and flooding from storm surge was in the evacuation areas, like the barrier islands and low-lying areas like El Jobean and the City of Punta Gorda. Fuller also warned residents with damage to beware of unlicensed contractors who could be out to scam those desperate to repair damage to their homes. “It’s very important to ensure you see their license, their ability to actually operate as a business within the State of Florida … to do the work, the specific work that they’re being contracted to do,” Fuller said. The county said it is continuing to coordinate with state and regional authorities to finalize the assessment of damage and those in need.