Southwest Florida

Hurricane Anxiety: Strategies for Coping This Storm Season

Health

Connect with others to address hurricane anxiety

Tara Calligan

The thought of enduring another storm post Hurricane Ian is stirring up a lot of emotions for Floridians. SalusCare shares ways to cope and stay focused on mental health in a positive way.

Life-threatening storm surge will be one of the greatest impacts and watches are posted from the Panhandle to the south Peninsula. Across this area, inundations will average 3-7 feet to include Tampa/St. Pete. But the Big Bend Coast is much more susceptible and will need to plan for inundations possibly up to 10 feet. Based on Idalia’s current track, areas closest to the path can expect 3-7”of rain on average, and locally up to 10 or more inches. Areas well inland across the Panhandle and Peninsula could possibly receive 2-5” of rain with locally higher amounts.

Hurricane

Tropical Storm Idalia's potential impacts to Southwest Florida

Tara Calligan

Senior meteorologist Megan Borowski gives an update on what Southwest Florida can expect from Idalia.

Centennial Celebration: Looking back on Collier County's journey over 100 Years

Mike Kiniry

As Collier County turns 100, historians and community leaders talk about some of the key moments and interesting stories that have made Collier what it is today.

Weather

Be ready as hurricane season historically kicks into higher gear in August

Jeff George

The month of August begins a rapid climb to the climatological peak of hurricane season on September 10th. Historically, 90% of all hurricanes and 95% of all major hurricanes happen after August 1st.

Business/Economy

Begrudgingly, next move gets nod for apartments at Winn-Dixie site

Sheldon Zoldan/Special to WGCU

The Residences at the Brooks took another step toward approval Tuesday night when the Estero Planning Zoning and Design Board approved the 154-unit apartment complex. The apartments were the first of two projects the planning board moved forward. It also approved a development order for Via Coconut, a mixed-use project with 330 multi-family units and 29,000 square feet of commercial space, including a possible church.

Environment

Lee County leading state in manatee deaths; 87 so far in 2023

Tom Bayles

More manatees have died in Southwest Florida so far this year. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission found Lee County leads the state in sea cow deaths with 87

A sea turtle hatchling makes its way to the Gulf of Mexico from a nest on Sanibel Island in July 2023

Environment

Sea turtle nesting season gangbusters despite coastal ravages of Hurricane Ian

Tom Bayles

Hurricane Ian decimated Southwest Florida beaches last September, but it does not bother sea turtles this summer: the nesting season is on track to be one of the best in recent years

Business/Economy

SWFL Fresh continues to raise awareness about local producers to bolster regional food system

Tara Calligan

Florida’s agriculture sector was hit extremely hard following Hurricane Ian, with crop losses up to $1.25 billion. The brand “SWFL Fresh: Choose Local, Choose Fresh” raises awareness about locally-produced products to help the regional food system become more resilient, especially in the face of a natural disaster.

A pair of rip tides are shown leading from the beach out into the water

Environment

'High risk' of riptides along Southwest Florida beaches extended to Monday night

Tom Bayles

A “high risk” of riptides along beaches are Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota counties through Monday Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing away from shore

The Florida Forest Service updates the Keetch-Byram Drought Index daily, which shows Collier and Lee counties in bright red to indicate the lack of moisture in the soil. The dry conditions have caused trees, shrubs, and dead trees felled by Hurricane Ian to become drier, creating tinder-like conditions in Southwest Florida.

Environment

Wildfire threat in Southwest Florida gets real as drought conditions persist

Tom Bayles

The typical spring wildfire season is in full swing on Southwest Florida, already burning down home in the day fu;;s