Marco Island under State of Emergency, issues mandatory evacuation

Marco Island has issued a mandatory evacuation order due to Ian. There is a predicted storm surge of 6 to 9 feet which means conditions warrant an evacuation. “Now is the time for residents to leave the Island,” Marco Island said in a news release. A state of emergency is also in place for Marco […]

Fort Myers Beach issues boil water notice, facing catastrophic storm surge

Earlier Fort Myers Beach is asking everyone to boil their water. The Town of Fort Myers Beach said Ian caused all of its water pump stations to lose power. The public should boil their water for all uses until further notice. Images from Fort Myers Beach show catastrophic storm surge. One video shows a home […]

flooding

DeSoto County flooding possibility from Hurricane Ian

Flooding could be a major factor in communities like Arcadia that were already under flood warnings without the threat of a powerful storm system like Hurricane Ian. Residents who live along the Peace River in DeSoto County are not wasting any time preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Ian. Bert is a man simply helping […]

Lee Health, SharePoint Health in Port Charlotte on lock down

Hospitals and healthcare systems from across Southwest Florida are preparing for Hurricane Ian. As of 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Lee Health hospitals and Lee Health Coconut Point are locked down. The entrances to the hospital have been locked for the safety of patients and staff. Lee Health is urging the public to shelter in place […]

Sanibel

Sanibel declares State of Emergency ahead of Hurricane Ian, under mandatory evacuation

Storm surges and beach erosion are very real threats for a significant portion of Southwest Florida, particularly in Sanibel. A formal state of emergency was declared on Monday evening. On Tuesday, a mandatory evacuation was ordered for Sanibel. The mayor of Sanibel has issued a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Island Water Association […]

shutters

Hurricane shutters going up in Cape Coral in anticipation of Hurricane Ian

People across Southwest Florida are preparing for Hurricane Ian as it approaches the area, and in Cape Coral people have begun putting up their hurricane shutters. Joe Galebach, like many other Cape Coral residents, spent his Monday putting up shutters and making sure his home is safe from Hurricane Ian. “I watch my neighbors not […]

Here’s what you need to know about the new Charlotte County curfew

Update The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is enacting a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for all of Charlotte County, including Punta Gorda. The curfew will be in place until further notice. Violation of the curfew is a misdemeanor, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. “I am enacting this curfew as a means […]

Storm surge preps

The dangers of storm surge and how SWFL is preparing

A big concern for Southwest Florida from Hurricane Ian is storm surge. That means water from the gulf will be pushed toward the shore by the winds around the hurricane. Some people are thinking property first, filling up sandbags and hoping that will keep water out of their homes. Others are making plans to bolt. […]

FEMA holds news conference on Hurricane Ian

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and the National Hurricane Center’s Acting Director Jamie Rhome held a news briefing in Miami to discuss the latest forecast and expected impacts of Hurricane Ian and FEMA’s response activities already underway. you can watch it in the player below or by clicking here.

Lee County

Lee County enacts curfew as Ian passes; 911 system still operational

Lee County has issued a curfew as Ian passes through Southwest Florida. Curfew hours will begin at 6 p.m. and stay in place until further notice. Lee County continues receiving and tracking 911 calls and engaging with callers. The calls are being categorized and prioritized so first responders can act as soon as the hurricane […]