PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda couple deals with flooding after Helene A Punta Gorda couple is recovering as the storm surge from Helene went through their dream home.
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS Flooding affects business in downtown Fort Myers In downtown Fort Myers, the streets may be drying up, but for one business owner on Bay Street, the true struggle is just getting started.
BONITA SPRINGS Damage in Bonita Springs from Helene It seems like nearly every place on the water was left with significant damage. In Bonita Springs, storm surge pushed into the city.
FORT MYERS BEACH Closer look at rescue operations during Helene All across Southwest Florida, we saw stories of bravery and selflessness during Helene.
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS Neighbors hit with flooding in Dean Park community On Friday, roads in downtown Fort Myers were fairly dry. It’s a stark contrast to Thursday night’s storm surge caused by the outer bands of Hurricane Helene.
ESTERO ISLAND Precautionary boil water notice issued for parts of Estero Island A precautionary water boil notice has been issued for Estero Island on Friday.
SANIBEL Helene aftermath in Sanibel While much of the water has receded, the Sanibel Causeway was closed for several hours Friday morning because city crews were trying to clean up the flooding and debris.
LEE COUNTY WINK News Player of the Week: Riverdale RB Cole Hayes Riverdale running back Cole Hayes rushed for 336 yards and five touchdowns against Cypress Lake to be named the WINK News Player of the Week.
Matlacha resident on difficult road to recovery after Helene Matlacha residents are recovering from Helene’s storm surge on Thursday.
FORT MYERS BEACH Neighbors begin to clean up after flooding on Fort Myers Beach Waking up Friday morning, Fort Myers Beach neighbors had deja vu. The site of debris, the sound of alarms and the unmistakable smell of mud brought back memories of Hurricane Ian.
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 40 in 4 states Hurricane Helene left an enormous path of destruction across Florida and the entire southeastern U.S. on Friday, killing at least 40 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.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda couple deals with flooding after Helene A Punta Gorda couple is recovering as the storm surge from Helene went through their dream home.
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS Flooding affects business in downtown Fort Myers In downtown Fort Myers, the streets may be drying up, but for one business owner on Bay Street, the true struggle is just getting started.
BONITA SPRINGS Damage in Bonita Springs from Helene It seems like nearly every place on the water was left with significant damage. In Bonita Springs, storm surge pushed into the city.
FORT MYERS BEACH Closer look at rescue operations during Helene All across Southwest Florida, we saw stories of bravery and selflessness during Helene.
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS Neighbors hit with flooding in Dean Park community On Friday, roads in downtown Fort Myers were fairly dry. It’s a stark contrast to Thursday night’s storm surge caused by the outer bands of Hurricane Helene.
ESTERO ISLAND Precautionary boil water notice issued for parts of Estero Island A precautionary water boil notice has been issued for Estero Island on Friday.
SANIBEL Helene aftermath in Sanibel While much of the water has receded, the Sanibel Causeway was closed for several hours Friday morning because city crews were trying to clean up the flooding and debris.
LEE COUNTY WINK News Player of the Week: Riverdale RB Cole Hayes Riverdale running back Cole Hayes rushed for 336 yards and five touchdowns against Cypress Lake to be named the WINK News Player of the Week.
Matlacha resident on difficult road to recovery after Helene Matlacha residents are recovering from Helene’s storm surge on Thursday.
FORT MYERS BEACH Neighbors begin to clean up after flooding on Fort Myers Beach Waking up Friday morning, Fort Myers Beach neighbors had deja vu. The site of debris, the sound of alarms and the unmistakable smell of mud brought back memories of Hurricane Ian.
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 40 in 4 states Hurricane Helene left an enormous path of destruction across Florida and the entire southeastern U.S. on Friday, killing at least 40 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.
In downtown Fort Myers, the streets may be drying up, but for one business owner on Bay Street, the true struggle is just getting started. Kevin Offerman with City Tavern is no stranger to hurricanes. “It’s heartbreaking. It’s only been two years, and to have to do this process again is pretty sad,” said Offerman. “We learned a lot of hard lessons with Ian.” Despite his experience, Offerman said he barely slept on Thursday night. He was watching his business closely. “Luckily, my security cameras were still working remotely, so I was able to watch the water rise,” said Offerman. Even with precautions in place, Mother Nature still made her way inside. “The water was 18 to 24 inches around here,” said Offerman. One of his employees said it’s tough watching him go through this again. “It’s hard. I’m sorry. It’s hard to see it because I know what he’s feeling, and I know how much he’s invested in this business, and how much he loves City Tavern, and how much he gives back to the community,” said General Manager Jade Meaguer. “To see this happening to him and his family again, it is difficult.” It’s not just his employees who’ve seen him go through this twice. “Devastated. I’ve already seen them once, not even two years ago, and to come back and say, we’re here to help, but I’m really sorry this is happening again,” said Amy Barnes, CFO of Disaster Clean Com. City Tavern reopened on Friday at 5 p.m. Offerman told WINK News that if you do not mind being around some drying equipment, please come out and support local businesses that are struggling during this time.