Just as a previous tornado watch expired Thursday night the National Weather Service issued a new watch until 6 a.m. Friday for 41 Florida counties including Charlotte, DeSoto, Highlands, Lee, Manatee and Sarasota.
The potential for tropical storm and possibly higher force winds, storm surge and other aspects of a tropical disturbance currently moving through the Caribbean now as Hurricane Helene has prompted various warnings in a number of Southwest Florida communities.
- A Storm Surge Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee, and Coastal Sarasota.
- A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for Coastal Charlotte and Coastal
- Lee - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for DeSoto, , Highlands, Inland Charlotte, Inland Hillsborough, Inland Lee, Inland Manatee, and Inland Sarasota.
Shortly after midnight the U.S. Postal Service Florida 2 District announced it was suspending mail across a wide swath of Southwest Florida until further notice due to the approach of Hurricane Helene.
All retail and delivery operations for facilities in the 335, 336, 337, 339, 341, 342 and 346 3-Digit ZIP Code Areas are temporarily suspended until further notice.
Those suspended areas include most communities, homes and business and other mail delivery sites from the area around St. Petersburg down the coast to Marco Island and inland to Ochopee including Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Arcadia, Port Charlotte, Venice, North Port, Punta Gorda, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Lehigh Acres, Naples, Immokalee and all points in between.
No alternate sites are available at this time.
The Postal Service cited the safety and well-being of customers and employees for the suspension and said updates will be provided as soon as additional information becomes available.
Residents are urged to follow the forecast on WGCU-FM and WGCU.org and by downloading the Florida Storms App.
On Tuesday, Governor Ron DeSantis amended an executive order issued earlier in the day and increased the number of Florida counties on the state of emergency listings: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington counties.
FEMA announced Tuesday that federal disaster assistance is available to Florida to supplement response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Helene beginning Sept. 23 and continuing.
The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population and to provide appropriate assistance to save lives, to protect property, public health and safety and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.
Federal funding is available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support. That assistance is available for Bay, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Monroe, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla counties.
Charlotte County
The Charlotte County Commission on Tuesday declared a local state of emergency due to Hurricane Helene. The county is currently under a tropical storm and storm surge watch.
The current forecast indicates the earliest onset of tropical storm force winds by 10 p.m., Wednesday night.
Charlotte County offices and facilities will be closed Wednesday and Thursday due to Hurricane Helene, with the exception of the landfill and mini-transfer stations.
Charlotte County opened storm shelters in Port Charlotte at 1 p.m. Wednesday. Charlotte County Emergency Management has ordered evacuations for barrier islands, low-lying and flood-prone areas, manufactured homes, and any homes that may not withstand high winds, such as those that may be comprised from previous storms.
This includes those living on the barrier islands of Don Pedro Island, Knight Islands (Palm Island), Little Gasparilla Island, Gasparilla Island, and Manasota Key, as well as residents in any zone living in mobile homes, manufactured homes and trailers. It is advised you stay with friends and family members who live outside of evacuation areas or flood zones, in a well-constructed home. If you have no place to go, shelters are refuges of last resort.
The following shelter locations are open:
- Kingsway Elementary School 23300 Quasar Blvd., Port Charlotte
- Harold Avenue Regional Park Recreation Center 23400 Harold Ave., Port Charlotte
If you choose to go a shelter you will need to bring supplies for each family member and pets (all Charlotte County shelters are pet friendly).
- Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and/or blankets and pillow
- Personal flashlight and headlamps
- Disinfectant supplies, hand sanitizer, soap
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Feminine hygiene products
- Cell phones, chargers, backup battery
- Extra sets of clothes suitable for the season
- Extra socks and sturdy shoes
- Food or snacks (72+ hours’ worth)
- Books or magazine
- Prescription medications, eyeglasses
- Important documents
- Water
If you will have pets, be sure to bring:
- Pet care items
- Pet food and water (at least two weeks' worth)
- Proper identification
- Medical records, microchip info, vaccination papers
- A carrier or cage
- Muzzle and leash
- Water and food bowls
- Medications
Call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000. Those with internet access can find information on resources at www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov/storm.
Follow Charlotte County Emergency Management for important emergency information at www.charlottecountyfl.gov/em, www.facebook.com/oemcharlottecounty, and www.x.com/ccoem.
Tropical storm-force winds are forecast for parts of Charlotte County as early as late Wednesday night. Storm surge is forecast to be 3 to 5 feet in coastal areas.
For Hurricane Helene information, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000.
Charlotte County Transit Service will be closed for regular service on Wednesday and Thursday. Customers with current reservations will be notified of the cancellations by phone.
The reservation phone number, 941-575-4000, is closed Wednesday and will resume once the storm threat has passed.
For information, contact Communication Director Brian Gleason at 941-661-6415 or Brian.Gleason@CharlotteCountyFL.gov.
County staff was also warning contractors and builders about construction materials and debris that could cause significant damage if unsecured during high winds or cause blockage of the county’s drainage swales.
In preparation for the possible storm conditions, the county's Community Development Department requested contractors begin securing their work sites as soon as possible with attention paid to the following:
- Identify vulnerable work in progress and determine how best to protect it, and others, from damage.
- Be prepared to remove, anchor, or restrain everything that could blow away such as trash, lumber, portable toilets, etc., that can become windblown hazards.
- Ensure that all construction debris is secured or placed in an on-site dumpster. If dumpsters are half or fuller, consider arranging to have them emptied before the weekend.
- Where possible, ensure your on-site dumpster is covered.
- If roofing materials are on site, or will be delivered, but won’t be installed before storm weather conditions arrive, be prepared to secure them as weather conditions may warrant.
- Remove the permit yard cardboard and job site signage if warranted by weather conditions.
- Ensure erosion control silt fencing is securely installed.
- Keep all swales clear.
Because saturated ground conditions are already prevalent in the area, county officials said that it was imperative all swales are free of construction materials, so water is able to flow. Ensure anything that can be rain-proofed is protected and, wherever possible, move your construction equipment to a secure area.
South Gulf Cove lock tenders will staff the lock from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25. The lock will remain operational in manual mode until it is once again safe to staff.
The Tom Adams Bridge will be closed to boat traffic starting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25. The bridge will reopen to boat traffic once it is deemed safe to operate.
Call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000 or 941-743-1320. Those with internet access can find information on resources at www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov/storm.
Punta Gorda
Due to Hurricane Helene, the government offices of the City of Punta Gorda will be closed on Thursday.
There will be no trash collection for commercial customers of the City of Punta Gorda on Thursday, September 26. The Charlotte County Landfill will be closed.
Residents are reminded to secure their trash and recycling carts. The City will NOT provide free trash carts if your cart is lost or damaged due to Hurricane Helene. The trash carts are the responsibility of each resident to secure, very costly to replace and only a very limited supply in stock.
At this time, there is no change for residential or commercial trash, recycling or yard waste collections on Friday, September 27. Please check the City website for changes periodically.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Public Works Department at (941) 575-5050 during the hours of 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Mon. through Fri.
Sarasota County
Sarasota County is currently under a Hurricane Watch and because of the expected intensification of Hurricane Helene, Sarasota County has declared a local state of emergency.
As of 7 a.m., Sept. 25, evacuations called for residents in Level A, mobile homes and boats, and those in the following neighborhoods:
- Forked Creek in Englewood
- Curry Creek in Venice
- Hatchett Creek in Venice
Evacuation centers are open.
Know your evacuation level at www.scgov.net/beprepared
Evacuation Centers: https://loom.ly/BhRe-nw
When heading to an evacuation center, prepare your checklist of items. All evacuation centers are pet-friendly, but you must bring all supplies including a crate. Remember: evacuation centers cannot provide chairs, bedding, cots, blankets or pet supplies.
View more information and the checklist at scgov.net/storm
Sarasota County Public Utilities is on Siesta Key and Casey Key shutting off potable water service. This precautionary measure protects the community’s infrastructure, which may be inundated by storm surge and high winds. You will begin noticing a difference in pressure, and water service will be completely shut off by 8 a.m.
Sarasota County Public Utilities team members are prepared to deploy when conditions are safe and restore water services to those who are impacted. As a reminder, when potable water services return, these areas will be under a boil water notice. Please stay updated via our social media channels, local news channels, and by visiting scgov.net or calling 311 or 941-861-5000.
Following the storm, water service will be restored as quickly as possible with a boil water advisory.
Other closures:
- All traditional public schools will be closed for normal school operations from Wednesday, September 25 through Friday, September 27 due to the storm. This includes all after-school activities. Visit www.sarasotacountyschools.net/hurricane for the latest district updates.
- Sarasota County offices will remain closed for Friday, Sept. 27, so that the county can begin recovery efforts, and employees can fulfill their emergency roles across the county supporting the community.
- Sarasota County Libraries are scheduled to reopen Monday, Sept. 30, pending an assessment of the facilities. For Libraries online services, visit www.sarasotacountylibraries.org/home-library.
- The Tax Collector’s Office will be closed tomorrow, Sept. 27. While offices are closed, customers can find information about services and complete many transactions here.
- The Property Appraiser’s office will be closed tomorrow, Sept. 27. During this closure, customers can use www.sc-pa.com to access property records, apply for exemptions, and request address changes.
Register for emergency notifications at alertsarasotacounty.com. Monitor local media stations, follow @SRQCountyGov on social media, visit scgov.net, or dial 311 or 941-861-5000 for the latest information.
Sarasota City
City of Sarasota declares local state of emergency for Hurricane Helene; City offices to close Thursday
In response to the rainfall and storm surge expected with Hurricane Helene, the City of Sarasota has declared a local state of emergency.
Sarasota, FL: In response to the rainfall and storm surge expected with Hurricane Helene, the City of Sarasota has declared a local state of emergency. City Manager Marlon Brown approved the declaration in consultation and coordination with Sarasota County officials, Emergency Manager Todd Kerkering and Mayor Liz Alpert.
City of Sarasota administrative offices will be closed Thursday, Sept. 26 for the storm.
The local state of emergency provides the City with more flexibility regarding expenditures and resource allocations required due to impacts from the storm.
City Operations
- City of Sarasota administrative offices, recreational facilities and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall will be closed Thursday, Sept. 26
- Thursday and Friday garbage/recycling/yard waste pickup will be delayed one day. Thursday collection will be Friday. Regular Friday pickup will be Saturday. This schedule is weather dependent and may change. Stay tuned for updates.
- Code Compliance hearings scheduled for Thursday are canceled. To reschedule a hearing, call 941-263-6417 or email codecompliance@sarasotafl.gov
- The Overtown Square grand opening celebration scheduled for Thursday is rescheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2.
Additional Resources
Sarasota Schools: For information regarding school closures, visit SarasotaCountySchools.net or follow Sarasota County Schools on social media.
Evacuation Centers: Information about evacuation centers is available via Sarasota County at www.SCgov.net
Emergency notifications: To receive emergency notifications via Alert Sarasota, register at www.AlertCitySarasota.com
Stay up to date: For the latest updates visit www.Sarasotafl.gov/Alerts Also, follow the City of Sarasota social media channels and monitor local news and weather reports.
North Port
City Hall and other City offices will reopen as scheduled Friday, Sept. 27. City staff are resuming normal operations following the response to Hurricane Helene.
This does not include the George Mullen Activity Center, Morgan Family Community Center, Warm Mineral Springs Park, North Port Aquatic Center and all other City parks, park amenities and athletic fields, which will need to be assessed before they can safely reopen. Status updates should be available by Friday afternoon and can be found online at NorthPortFL.gov/ParksAndRecreation.
Solid Waste customers whose regular collection day is Thursday will have their trash and recycling picked up Friday. Friday collections will be delayed until Saturday. Schedules are subject to change based on the status of the Sarasota County Landfill. For questions about trash and recycling pickup, call Public Works Customer Service at 941-240-8050.
The Sarasota County Tax Collector and Property Appraiser offices located in North Port City Hall will be closed Friday. They are expected to reopen Monday.
For the latest information on Hurricane Helene recovery, visit NorthPortFL.gov/Alerts.
Lee County
The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted to declare a State of Local Emergency (SOLE), and commissioners announced that county offices will be closed Thursday.
The vote came at an emergency meeting called to consider the SOLE and to receive an update on Hurricane Helene.
A SOLE is enacted ahead of storms to enable emergency protective measures and to allow for more flexibility for emergency spending.
Lee County will continue normal governmental operations closed on Thursday. Employees serving in emergency roles will continue in their duties.
The county will reopen Friday.
- Go to www.leegov.com/departments for specific office or operational information, as some may have slight adjustments in the wake of the storm.
Lee County Solid Waste’s haulers will resume collection of trash, yard waste and recycling Friday.
- Regular household collections are delayed by one day for the remainder of the week. Today’s collections will be picked up Friday, and Friday’s collections will be picked up Saturday. Collections will resume as normal on Monday, Sept. 30.
- All Lee County disposal facilities will be open regular hours on Friday and extended hours on Saturday.
Also at the emergency meeting, Public Safety Director Ben Abes provided commissioners with an update on preparations for possible storm impacts.
Lee County opened two Safe Havens for anyone who does not feel secure in their housing situation and does not have a safe place to ride out the storm. These locations are not shelters and individuals are encouraged to pursue more comfortable options, such as staying with family or friends.
Safe Havens open at 3 p.m. at the North Fort Myers Recreation Center and the Estero Recreation Center. LeeTran will adjust operations to provide service to these locations through 10 p.m. Please note that all other fixed-route bus operations will be suspended at 7 p.m. today and are expected to resume on Friday. Visit https://ow.ly/mgL650Tvrqo for more information.
Lee County continues to work with state and local partners to prepare for potential storm impacts. Residents are asked to take steps now to secure their homes and enact the safety plans they have developed for their families.
In other Hurricane Helene-related operational adjustments, the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau this afternoon announced that Island Hopper Songwriter Fest events scheduled for Thursday and Friday, Sept. 26 – 27, have been canceled due to the anticipated storm impacts. Events scheduled for Wednesday and for the weekend will proceed as planned.
Lee County Emergency Management is actively monitoring the tropics and working closely with state and federal partners, including the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center.
Public safety and county staff are working to prepare county facilities and operations.
The Emergency Operations Center is expected to be activated to a Level 2 on Wednesday morning.
Sandbags in Lee County
As of 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24, the following locations have sand and/or sandbags available. Residents should call ahead for availability and distribution information.
1. Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District
Address: Station 24 - 27701 Bonita Grande Drive, Bonita Springs, FL 34135
2. Captiva Island Fire
Address: 1150 Wightman Ln, Captiva, FL (Enter on Captiva Road)
3. Estero Fire Rescue
Address: Station 41 - 20921 County Road, Estero, FL 33928
4. Fort Myers Shores Fire District
Address: Crossroads Church-10721 Palm Beach Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33905
5. Matlacha/ Pine Island Fire Control District
Address: Station 1 - 5700 Pine Island Rd, Bokeelia, FL 33922 (Ball Field)
6. North Fort Myers Fire District
Address: North Fort Myers Recreation Center- 2000 N. Recreation Parkway, North Fort Myers, FL 33903
7. San Carlos Park Fire District
Address: Three Oaks Park- 18251 Three Oaks Pkwy, Fort Myers, FL 33912
8. Sanibel Fire & Rescue District
Address: Station 171 - 2351 Palm Ridge Rd, Sanibel FL 33957 OR 2431 Library Way, Sanibel FL 33957
9. South Trail Fire District
Address: Station 63 - 5531 Halifax Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33912
All Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) offices will be closed on Thursday, September 26, 2024, in response to severe weather impacts. Offices will open on their regularly scheduled hours on Friday, September 27, 2024.
Additional Resources
The State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) is a toll-free hotline activated at the time of an emergency to provide an additional resource for those in Florida to receive accurate and up-to-date information regarding an emergency or disaster situation impacting the State of Florida. SAIL hotline: 800-342-3557
For further assistance and information regarding severe weather impacts, including shelter information and disaster preparedness tips, visit the Division of Emergency Management website or Lee County’s local emergency management website.
Department of Transportation
Staff is:
- Securing various facilities and ongoing projects that cannot be completed before Thursday;
- Scheduling extra on-call personnel within Operations and Traffic divisions to work overnight on Wednesday and into Thursday;
Traffic
- Coordinating with FDOT on the temporary signals at the Little Pine Island Bridge, and staff will be prepared to check that alternating signal immediately after the weather clears;
Operations
- Inspecting drainage structures in lower-lying areas to make sure they are flowing freely;
- Coordinating with Department of Natural Resources on weir gate operations to provide space for water to stage, where appropriate;
Natural Resources
- Monitoring and evaluating hydrologic conditions from the network of sensors and gauges including groundwater levels, stream level and rainfall to assist in determining areas most vulnerable to flooding;
- Working with South Florida Water Management District to clean creeks and streams of exotic and obstructing vegetation, recognizing in many cases they serve as the major watercourses for flood relief;
- Documenting pre-storm conditions along our critically eroded beaches.
Solid Waste
Lee County Solid Waste urges residents to follow these important guidelines:
- Refrain from cutting trees, doing major yard work, or placing large amounts of bulk waste at the curb.
- Be aware that collection schedules may change as the storm approaches
- Visit www.leegov.com or www.leegov.com/solidwaste for updates.
Public Safety
Members of the community should take action to stay informed:
- Monitor reputable local media outlets, the National Weather Service-Tampa, and the National Hurricane Center.
- Follow Lee County Government and Lee County Public Safety on social media, including Facebook, YouTube, X and LinkedIn.
- Sign up for AlertLee and download the LeePrepares app from Google Play or the App Store.
Have a plan and prepare for the effects of weather:
- Review your Family Emergency Plan and an Emergency Supply Kit.
- Prepare your home, secure loose items and ensure you have what you need on hand as you continue to monitor the tropics.
Know your home and your evacuation zone. Have a plan in place to evacuate, if need be, to a friend’s or family member’s house or a community outside the area.
Lee County Natural Resources and the Lee County Department of Transportation work year-round to be prepared for excessive rain events, particularly during the traditional hurricane season.
In the event of heavy rain, it will take the infrastructure time to drain. Please use caution and don’t drive through flooded roads. If the roadway is covered with water, take another route.
The county asks the public to report blocked ditches, swales, canals and areas of local flooding:
- First, to find out if your road is maintained by Lee County DOT, visit http://leegis.leegov.com/RoadLookup/. If it is not maintained by Lee County, find your municipal contact by visiting www.leegov.com/dcd/flood.
- Second, put in a Request for Action (RFA) to improve surface water drainage along your county- maintained road by contacting Request for Action Hotline at www.leegov.com/dot/requestforaction.
- People can use the same website to also report blocked creeks and streams (example: downed trees, collected debris). The reported information will be directed to Lee County Natural Resources.
As tropical storm activity intensifies, Lee County Solid Waste urges residents to follow these important guidelines:
- Refrain from cutting trees, doing major yard work, or placing large amounts of bulk waste at the curb, as excess debris strains collection services.
- Secure loose items that could become projectiles before any approaching storm.
- Collection schedules may change as storms approach; for updates and more information, visit www.leegov.com/solidwaste.
Lee County also created a "landing page" at https://www.leegov.com/hurricane/helene for all Helene related information affecting the county.
OTHER ANNOUNCED CLOSINGS/REOPENINGS:
- The IMAG History & Science Center in Fort Myers will be closed on Thursday due to hurricane and storm surge warnings.
- Sydney & Berne Davis Art Center will be closed on Thursday. A decision regarding Friday will be announced Thursday afternoon.
- The Laboratory Theater of Florida's Thursday performance of "Gutenberg! The Musical!" has been canceled due to Hurricane Helene
- Lee County Government offices, parks, beaches and libraries will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 26.
- The Lee Clerk’s office will reopen tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 27 with normal business hours. Anyone summoned for jury duty or scheduled for court should report to the Justice Center in downtown Fort Myers.
Please visit www.leeclerk.org and Lee Clerk social media pages for the latest updates on our services.
Fort Myers
The City of Fort Myers will resume normal business operations tomorrow, Sept. 27th. Employees serving in emergency roles are continuing their duties to ensure the safety and security of the City.
Due to wind impacts, trash and recycling pick-up will be suspended by one day: today’s collections will take place tomorrow, and Friday’s collections will occur on Saturday. Normal operations will resume on Monday, Sept. 30th.
Due to an issue with our phone provider, the Utility Billing Department main number is currently down, so please use 239-321-7150 for reporting any water or sewer related issues.
Sanibel
In response to forecasted weather conditions, City of Sanibel offices and the Sanibel Recreation Center will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, September 26th.
The Sanibel Recreation Center will be closing early today at 5:00pm. Youth swim team (SWAT) practice is cancelled. Parents of after-school care students should ensure children are picked up by 5:00pm.
WM solid waste collection will be delayed Thursday and Friday. Routes normally scheduled for Thursday will be picked up on Friday, and routes normally scheduled for Friday will be picked up on Saturday.
Fort Myers Beach
A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Fort Myers Beach. The National Weather Service is anticipating that we will receive tropical force winds and a storm surge in our area from one to three feet.
The Town is recommending that all trailers and equipment on the Island be moved by tomorrow morning, Wednesday, September 25.
The Town is also asking that all building materials be secured onsite. Please be prepared for the possibility of conditions worsening.
Any questions related to storm preparations, please call: (239) 765 – 0222.
Stay informed by monitoring your local weather channels and following the Town of Fort Myers Beach Facebook and website News Flashes.
If you have not done so yet, sign up for CodeRed: Community Notification Enrollment; this is an emergency notification system that allows registered users to receive telephone, text and/or email alerts.
The Town of Fort Myers Beach would like to thank our residents and business owners for doing their part to prepare for the potential Tropical Cyclone Nine and for continuing to stay prepared for future weather events.
Bonita Springs
Due to the potential impacts of the current impending storm, the City of Bonita Springs has declared a State of Local Emergency in response to the anticipated landfall of Hurricane Helene. Hurricane Helene is forecasted to become a major hurricane with landfall north of Lee County but whose effects, including wind and storm surge, will be felt within the City of Bonita Springs.
A tropical storm watch has been issued for Bonita Springs. The National Weather Service is anticipating that we will receive tropical force winds and storm surge in our area from three to five feet. The city recommends reviewing your hurricane preparedness plan.
Please secure all building materials onsite. Please be prepared for the possibility of conditions worsening. Please sign up for Alert Lee. This community notification enrollment is an emergency notification system that allows registered users to receive telephone, text and or email alerts.
In the event of heavy rain, it will take the infrastructure time to drain. Please use caution and don’t drive through flooded roads. If the roadway is covered with water, take another route. For more information, visit www.cityofbonitasprings.org. Follow the City of Bonita Springs on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/CityBonitaSprings/.
Cape Coral
City Hall and ancillary offices will be open Friday for normal business hours.
Solid Waste:
- Waste Pro’s trash and recycling pickup has been rescheduled.
- So long as roadways are passable, crews will pick up Thursday’s collection on Friday and Friday’s collection on Saturday.
- Resident Bulk Waste Drop-off Site will resume regular hours on Friday.
Parks & Recreation:
- Indoor Parks and Recreation programming will resume as scheduled Friday.
- City crews will assess fields on Friday morning to determine when outdoor programming can resume.
Collier County
Collier County Museums, Libraries, and Parks Facilities Closed Thursday, September, 26
Due to the expected inclement weather from Hurricane Helene, Collier County Museums, Libraries, and Parks facilities will be closed on Thursday, and public programming will be canceled.
Safe Havens at North Collier Regional Park, East Naples Community Park, and Golden Gate Community Center will also be open starting at 6 a.m.
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There will be no collection of garbage, recycling, bulky items or yard waste on Thursday, Sept. 26 in unincorporated Collier County, the City of Marco Island and the City of Everglades. No make-up collections will be made. Collection services will resume on the next regularly scheduled day.
The Collier County Landfill, the Immokalee Transfer Station and all Collier County Recycling Drop-Off Centers will remain open on Thursday.
Residents are encouraged to secure garbage and recycling carts where they will not be blown away. This helps everyone stay safe and prevents litter in our community.
For more information about your collection services, call (239) 252-2380 or visit www.colliercountyfl.gov/collection.
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Collier Area Transit (CAT) Will Suspend Service on Thursday, September 26
Due to the weather conditions projected for Hurricane Helene, Collier Area Transit (CAT) will suspend service on Thursday.
Per earlier announcements, sandbag operations at North Collier Regional Park’s Sun-N-Fun Lagoon parking lot and Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Community Park will continue Thursday at 8 a.m. and will operate as long as weather conditions and supplies allow. Sand, empty sandbags, and some shovels will be available for those interested in obtaining sandbags.
You may bring your own shovel and/or trowel since shovels are limited. There is a limit of 10 bags per person. Once the sandbags and sand are gone the program will end.
The sandbags are self-service and on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sandbags, when properly filled and placed, may divert water around instead of through buildings. Sandbag construction does not guarantee a watertight seal but is satisfactory for use in most situations. Burlap sacks and plastic sandbags (polypropylene) are standard types to use. Garbage bags are not recommended since they are too slick to stack.
For additional information on sand and sandbag availability, please contact the Collier County Road, Bridge & Stormwater Maintenance Division at (239) 252-8924.
Storm preparations made to help prevent roadway flooding
Collier County Road, Bridge & Stormwater Maintenance Division has crews deployed for the potential heavy rain event for our area. The crews are monitoring weir levels and are deploying resources as necessary.
Plus, crews are working to clear roadside swales and drainage inlets to mitigate any potential flooding. They also are handling debris removal, as needed. Crews will continue to monitor the storm.
Additionally, it is important that residents closely monitor local news, heed warnings from the National Weather Service and local officials, and remember “If You Can’t See the Ground, Turn Around” when approaching a flooded roadway.
Important reminders during flooding:
• Never walk or drive in the flood waters. Many people are killed by driving or walking on roads and bridges that are covered by water. Even though the water might look only inches deep, it could be much deeper and have strong currents. It takes only two feet of water to carry a car away, and only six inches of swiftly moving water to sweep a person off their feet.
• Find an alternate route around the flooded area. If you are approaching a flooded roadway, turn around and take an alternate route, even though vehicles in front of you may have passed through the high water.
• Don't assume your vehicle is safe. High water in streets and intersections will quickly stall motor vehicles. Most trucks, four-wheel drives and sport utility vehicles are susceptible to being swept away by high water.
• Never stay with your car in a flooded area. If your car stalls, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground. Many deaths have resulted from individuals attempting to move stalled vehicles.
• Never let children play near canals or storm drains when the water is rising or high. Swimming skills have nothing to do with surviving a flooded creek or stream. Flood time is not a time for play. Keep children out of flooded areas.
To report serious road flooding issues, please contact the Collier County Road, Bridge & Stormwater Maintenance Division at (239) 252-8924.
Sign up for AlertCollier:
Collier County encourages all residents to sign up for AlertCollier, the County's mass notification system. When you sign up with AlertCollier, you can enter up to five addresses within the County boundaries that you would like to receive emergency alerts. For example, enter your home, work, relative, school, or other meaningful address. Then, you will receive a notification if an alert is issued for that location. Register at www.AlertCollier.com or call 3-1-1 within Collier County. Be sure to acknowledge receipt of the message to avoid duplicate messages.
Stay informed:
We urge you to monitor local news, National Weather Service, colliercountyfl.gov/ and follow us on social media, including facebook.com/CollierGov) and x.com/CollierGov.
For more information, view the Collier County online edition of our All Hazards Guide.
The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) will be closed on Thursday.
Marco Island
The City of Marco Island will close all City facilities on Thursday, due to the anticipated impacts from potential Hurricane Helene. Collier County, including Marco Island, is now under a Tropical Storm Warning and a Storm Surge Warning. Life-threatening storm surge, flooded roads and power outages are expected.
While City buildings and parks are closed, the City will operate a call center and first responders are on duty and ready to clear debris, clear storm drains, and respond to emergencies. In cases of emergency call 9-1-1.
General questions or concerns can be directed to 239-389-5000. Also, visit the City of Marco Island website and see the Hurricane Helene page for updates, or follow updates on Marco Island City Hall Facebook and Nextdoor.
If you are experiencing a water or sewer emergency after hours, call 239-394-3168. If you want to report an issue with storm drains, traffic signals, or traffic signs, call Public Works at 239-825-0571. The non-emergency line for police is 239-389-5050.
The City will resume normal operations on Friday, September 27.
The City of Marco Island declared a local State of Emergency following a Declaration of Emergency by Governor DeSantis and by the Collier County Board of County Commissioners due to Hurricane Helene which is expected to develop into a major hurricane early Thursday.
Coastal flooding and storm surge are the main concerns for the City of Marco Island. There are currently no evacuation orders and no shelters are being prepared at this time. However, residents should prepare their homes and boats, and implement family plans including plans for power outages, pet care, generator safety, and emergency supplies.
Marco Island roads are prone to flooding. Residents must not drive on flooded roads. For specific storm information please watch local news for weather updates and refer to the National Hurricane Center at www.nhc.noaa.gov. Residents are encouraged to subscribe to Code Red for emergency alerts. Visit the www.cityofmarcoisland.com to sign up for Code Red.
Manatee County
Manatee County offices and facilities which were closed Thursday due to the storm will remain closed on Friday, . Manatee County Schools will also be closed Friday. Courts in the 12th Judicial Circuit for Sarasota and Manatee Counties will be closed Friday.
Contract waste haulers will resume their operations tomorrow. Residents whose typical trash collection occurs on Thursday will have pick ups tomorrow. Regularly scheduled Friday pick-ups will happen Saturday. Some areas may not be accessible for haulers due to impacts from Helene. The Lena Rd. Landfill will be open Friday.
In a related actions:
- The Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline was activated Monday and state price gouging laws are now in effect for the counties under the state of emergency.
- The Coast Guard Captain of the Port for Sector St. Petersburg set Port Condition X-Ray for the ports of Tampa, St. Petersburg, Manatee, and Fort Myers, Monday, due to forecasted sustained gale force winds between 39 and 73 mph generated by Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine that may arrive within 48 hours.
- Hendry County Officials declared a Local State of Emergency (LSE) effective Wednesday, in preparation for the potential impacts of Hurricane Helene. Hendry County officials encourage residents to prepare for the possibility of tropical storm conditions beginning Wednesday evening and continuing through the day on Thursday. Preparations should include ensuring yard debris is cleared and loose items are secured.
Okeechobee Waterway Lock Operations during Hurricane Helene
1. Notice to Navigation
Notice is given that safe harbor lockages will begin on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 to allow safe passage for vessels before Hurricane Helene makes local landfall. Locks will be open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. supporting vessel safe harbor passage. Lock operations will stop eight hours prior to landfall, as railroad and drawbridges will be lowered or rotated and locked into a secure position. It's important that all vessels are at their intended destination before bridges are secured and passage across the waterway suspended. No mooring of vessels on Corps Structures during event.
For Lock Operator safety, the locks will:
- Stop locking vessels or working outdoors if lightning is observed within five miles of the lock, and operations will not resume until lightning has not been seen in the area for 30 minutes.
- Stop locking vessels when winds exceed 35 MPH.
After a storm, it could be days or weeks before the waterway is reopened, depending on damage to structures and how quickly debris creating navigation hazards can be removed. When locking is resumed, it will be at the site’s normal locking hours: Okeechobee Waterway Locks from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Canaveral Harbor Lock 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Prescriptions
The Florida Department of Health is working with emergency managers statewide to prepare for any impacts to communities and reminds Floridians to have enough of their prescriptions on hand in the event pharmacies are temporarily unavailable. Under a state of emergency, Floridians are permitted to receive early prescription refills. An early refill may include controlled substances as long as the medical drug is not listed in Schedule II appearing in Chapter 893, Florida Statutes, of the Florida Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act.
Furthermore, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has issued the following reminder to all health insurers, managed care organizations, and health entities:
Florida Law Reminder for Early Prescription Refills
This notice is a reminder that all health insurers, managed care organizations, and other health entities must comply with provisions of section 252.358, Florida Statutes, which allows for early prescription refills in the event the Governor issues an executive order declaring a state of emergency. This mandate remains in effect until the Governor’s executive order is rescinded or expires.
School closures
FGCU
FGCU is canceling all classes and business operations for today.
University officials say the school plans on returning to normal operations Saturday, as conditions allow.
All Florida SouthWestern State College classes and operations will transition to remote learning and work on Thursday, September 26, and Friday, September 27. Any further updates or changes to operations can be found at FSW's official communication channels and www.FSW.edu.
K-12
- Bay County Schools will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024.
- Bradford County Schools will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024, and Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Calhoun County Schools will have a half day Wednesday, September 25, 2024, and remain closed through Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Charlotte County Schools will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024, and Friday, September 27, 2024. Due to evacuation orders affecting several areas, Kingsway Elementary will close at noon today (Wednesday) so the school can serve as a shelter for residents. After school activities today are cancelled, with the exception of on-campus daycare programs.
- Collier County Schools will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024. All activities scheduled at school sites will be canceled starting at 6:30 Wednesday evening.
- Citrus County Schools will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024, and Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Columbia County Schools will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024, and Friday, September 27, 2024.
- DeSoto County Schools will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024.
- Dixie County Schools will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024, and Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Duval County Schools will have a half day Wednesday, September 25, 2024, and remain closed through Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Florida State University School will have a half day Wednesday, September 25, 2024, and remain closed through Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Florida Virtual School will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024, and Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Franklin County Schools will be closed Wednesday, September 25, 2024, through Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Gilchrist County Schools will have a half day Wednesday, September 25, 2024, and remain closed through Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Gulf County Schools will be closed Wednesday, September 25, 2024, through Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Hamilton County Schools will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024, and Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Hardee County Schools will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024.
- Hernando County Schools will be closed Wednesday, September 25, 2024, and Thursday, September 26, 2024.
- Hillsborough County Schools will be closed Wednesday, September 25, 2024, and Thursday, September 26, 2024.
- Holmes County Schools will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024.
- Jackson County Schools will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024, and Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Jefferson County Schools will have a half day Wednesday, September 25, 2024, and remain closed through Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Lake County Schools will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024.
- Lee County schools are open today (Wednesday), but all after school activities will end by four o'clock this afternoon (Wednesday). All after school activity buses are cancelled today. However, After Care will remain open until 6 p.m. today (Wednesday), but students MUST be picked up by that time. The district will shut down operations Thursday and all schools and district offices will be closed. A decision about Friday operations will be made by Thursday afternoon.
- Leon County Schools will have a half day Wednesday, September 25, 2024, and remain closed through Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Levy County Schools will be closed Wednesday, September 25, 2024, and Thursday, September 26, 2024.
- Liberty County Schools will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024, and Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Madison County Schools will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024, and Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Manatee County Schools will be closed Wednesday, September 25, 2024, and Thursday, September 26, 2024.
- Marion County Schools will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024.
- Pasco County Schools will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024.
- Pinellas County Schools will be closed Wednesday, September 25, 2024, and Thursday, September 26, 2024.
- Sarasota County Schools will be closed Wednesday, September 25, 2024, through Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Sumter County Schools will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024, and Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Suwannee County Schools will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024, and Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Taylor County Schools will be closed Wednesday, September 25, 2024, through Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Wakulla County Schools will be closed Wednesday, September 25, 2024, through Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Walton County Schools will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024.
- Washington County Schools will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024.
Florida College System Closures
- Florida Gateway College will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024, and Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Florida State College at Jacksonville will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024, and Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Gulf Coast State College (Gulf & Franklin Campuses) will close Tuesday, September 24, 2024, through Friday, September 27, 2024. All other campuses will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024.
- North Florida College will be closed Wednesday, September 25, 2024, through Friday, September 27, 2024.
- St. Petersburg College will be closed Wednesday, September 25, 2024, and Thursday, September 26, 2024.
- Tallahassee State College will be closed Wednesday, September 25, 2024, through Friday, September 27, 2024.
State University Closures
- Florida A&M University will close at 12:15 p.m., Tuesday, September 24, 2024, through Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Florida State University will be closed Wednesday, September 25, 2024, through Sunday, September 29, 2024.
- New College of Florida will be closed Wednesday, September 25, 2024, through Friday, September 27, 2024.
FTCE/FELE Test Site Closures
- Florida State College at Jacksonville – Downtown will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024, and Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Florida State College at Jacksonville – Deerwood will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024, and Friday, September 27, 2024.
- Florida Gateway College will be closed Thursday, September 26, 2024, and Friday, September 27, 2024.
- US Military NTC GCSC – Tyndall AFB will be closed Friday, September 27, 2024.
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