UPDATE: County provides update on hurricane

UPDATE: At about 3:45 p.m. today, Aug. 30, Lee County provided an update on Hurricane Idalia.

Lee County Government will offer two locations on Aug. 31 for residents from coastal areas who experienced flooding due to Idalia and need resources. The Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs) will be staged on Pine Island and in Bonita Springs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The sites are at:

– Bonita Springs East United Way House (The Literary Council Gulf Coast), at 26820 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs

– Pine Island United Way House (Beacon of HOPE), at 5090 Doug Taylor Circle, St. James City

Residents are asked to bring a form of local identification such as a driver’s license, utility bill or other item with their address. The MARCs are meant to serve those who experienced water intrusion into their homes due to Idalia’s onshore winds combined with extreme high tides.

The MARCs will have resources from United Way 211, as well as cleaning supplies and other household items from United Way’s Gifts in Kind program. Also, information related to housing needs and recovery resources will be available from agencies such as the Lee County Department of Human & Veteran Services.

People with damaged residences due to Idalia can continue to call United Way’s 211 line (dial 211 or 239-433-3900) for resources or register with Crisis Cleanup by calling 800-451-1954.

For additional updates, visit www.leegov.com/storm or follow Lee County Government on Facebook at www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc.

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UPDATE (Aug. 30, 2023):

At about 12:45 p.m. today, Aug. 30, Lee County provided an update on Hurricane Idalia.

Lee County Government will reopen on Aug. 31 with normal operations and hours. The county closed on Aug. 29 and today, Aug. 30, due to the storm. As the county reopens, staff will remain dedicated to storm-related activities.

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ORIGINAL (Aug. 30, 2023):

At about 10:30 a.m. today, Aug. 30, Lee County provided an update on Hurricane Idalia.

Residents are urged to use caution today, Aug. 30, even as Hurricane Idalia has moved well away from the area. Coastal street flooding is still present and is expected to occur again mid-afternoon at high tide. Avoid unnecessary trips. Gusty winds remain possible.

County crews from Solid Waste, Utilities and the Department of Transportation were out before dawn to assess the area and identify areas such as those that were not draining or had palm fronds, sand or other storm-driven obstructions.

For example, the DOT has been concentrating on the coastal areas. Crews are removing the debris off roads such as Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach, Hickory Boulevard in Bonita Springs, various roads on Pine Island and streets on Boca Grande. The DOT is in touch with city partners as their crews do much of the same work.

The county appreciates assists from partners such as fire districts that are helping with roads like Sanibel-Captiva Road by Blind Pass. County DOT crews are using equipment to clear catch basins to help with drainage, especially in coastal areas. Crews are ensuring ditches and swales are draining.

County and state bridges are also being assessed. The Florida Department of Transportation’s contractor has inspected and cleared the Sanibel Causeway.

Initial assessments of traffic signals are done. So far, it appears only one traffic signal is damaged. The location is in Fort Myers at Veronica Shoemaker and Edison Avenue, where lightning struck the signal box.

LeeTran has resumed normal operations; Lee County Solid Waste’s haulers are conducting garbage collection in neighborhoods with regularly scheduled Wednesday pickups.

This morning, individuals and families began leaving the Safe Havens at the Estero Recreation Center and North Fort Myers Recreation Center. As of 8 a.m., there were 72 people in the Safe Havens — 24 in Estero and 48 in North Fort Myers, along with seven dogs and one cat. The overnight peak was 101 residents. The Estero location will close at 1 p.m. and the North Fort Myers location will close at 4 p.m. Lee County Human & Veteran Services and HOT Team members will assist.

Any residents who have concerns post Idalia can call 211. United Way is assisting emergency operations in helping connect people to available resources.

For updates, visit www.leegov.com/storm or follow Lee County Government on Facebook at www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc.

To watch the county’s 8:30 a.m. update, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KNeXkl289g.