Essential information for SWFL residents recover from Hurricane Ian - NBC2 News

As Southwest Florida begins to recover from Hurricane Ian. We are working to collect essential information for Lee, Collier, Charlotte, DeSoto, Hendry, and Glades County

FOR ANYONE LOOKING TO VOLUNTEER IN THE RECOVERY EFFORTS – VOLUNTEERFLORIDA.ORG

COMCAST HAS OPENED FREE WIFI HOTSPOTS

ALL SOUTHWEST FLORIDA:

QUESTIONS REGARDING DEBRIS? – Contact the Hurricane Ian Debris Hotline at (800) 375-0844.

All courts in the 20th Circuit will be closed through Thursday, September 29. This includes Lee County, Collier County, Charlotte County, Hendry County, and Glades County.

All airlines at RSW have canceled their flights for Wednesday, Sept. 28. The airport will remain closed until further notice. For further information, visit your airline's website.

The U.S. Postal Service has suspended delivery and retail operation in Southwest Florida due to Hurricane Ian's approach until further notice.

LEE COUNTY –

Lee County has executed a State of Local Emergency. RESIDENTS TO SHELTER IN PLACE

A county-wide boil water notice has been issued in Lee County. The Lee County Government said: "All water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth or washing dishes must be boiled at a rolling boil for one minute. Or, as an alternative, bottled water may be used."

Cape Coral officials urged all residents to conserve water and reduce sewer use due to over 200 lift stations failing throughout the city and multiple water main breaks. Officials said crews can't work on the issue until the storm passes.

CURFEW ALERT – The City of Fort Myers has issued an emergency citywide curfew to protect and safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of residents, visitors, and first responders. The curfew will be in effect beginning at 6PM for the next 48 hours.

Fort Myers Fire Department has begun survey and recon operations to assess damage and needs in the City of Fort Myers.

The Lee County School District has extended school and district office closures, as well as suspend all activities through Friday, September 30.

All Lee Health hospitals, as well as Lee Health Coconut Point, are currently on lockdown. That means the entrances have been locked for the safety of our patients and staff within. Lee Health hospitals will reopen after the storm passes and the roads are clear.

Coastal Medical Urgent Care – 8291 Dani Dr. 100, Fort Myers, FL 33966. Thu/Fri: 7a-5p, Sat/Sun: 8a-4p.

Shelter Availability in Lee County. The following shelter list was provided on Sept. 27.

• Dunbar High School, 3800 Edison Avenue, Fort Myers
• East Lee County High School, 715 Thomas Sherwin Avenue, Lehigh Acres
• Estero Recreation Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero
• Gateway High School, 13820 Griffin Drive, Fort Myers
• Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero
• Island Coast High School,2125 DeNavarra Pkwy, Cape Coral
• Oak Hammock Middle School, 5321 Tice Street, Fort Myers
• South Fort Myers High School, 14020 Plantation Road, Fort Myers
• Varsity Lakes Middle School, 801 Gunnery Road North, Lehigh Acres
• Veterans Park Recreation Center, 49 Homestead Road S, Lehigh Acres

The City of Bonita Springs has declared a State of Emergency.

• Lee County Solid Waste to resume pickups starting Monday.
• RSW Airport announced all operations will cease, and the airport is closed.
• LeeTran fixed route bus operations have ended until further notice.
• Tolls have been suspended.
• Millennium locations are now closed in Lee County.
• The district has made the decision to close schools and District offices and suspend all before and after-school programs and extra-curricular activities until Thursday, Sep. 29.
• Cape Coral emergency services citywide are now suspended and will resume normal operations after winds are below 45 mph. A prioritization list will be made for those who call 9-1-1 during this time, and assistance will be provided as soon as it is safe.
• Lehigh Acres emergency services are suspended until weather conditions improve. A prioritized list will be made for all calls to 911 during this time, and assistance will be provided as soon as it is safe.

COLLIER COUNTY –

The Collier County Board of County Commissioners has declared a State of Emergency.

A citywide boil water notice has been issued for Naples and a portion of Collier County.

City of Naples officials advised people to not drive in or to Naples. According to the Collier County Government, half of the streets are not passable due to high water and water levels may rise even further. Officials asked residents to follow the curfew in effect.

The City of Marco Island issues citywide curfew effective immediately until 6 a.m. Thursday.

Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) will continue to be closed Thursday, September 29, and Friday, September 30. A decision about school/District operations on Monday will be announced no later than 1 p.m. Sunday, October 2. All activities have been canceled as well, including Friday night football.

The City of Naples declares a local state of emergency. RESIDENTS TO SHELTER IN PLACE

Naples has issued an emergency citywide curfew effective immediately.

The following Pet-Friendly General Population Shelters will be opening: –

• Oak Ridge Middle School, 14975 Collier Blvd, Naples
• Corkscrew Middle School, 1165 Oil Well Rd, Naples
• Golden Gate Middle School, 2701 48^th Terrace SW.  Naples
• Immokalee Middle School, 401 North 9^th ST, Immokalee
• Gulf Coast High School, 7878 Shark Way, Naples
• Golden Gate High School, 2925 Titan Way, Naples
• Immokalee High School, 701 Immokalee Dr #5, Immokalee

Pet owners must bring their vaccination records, the appropriate size kennel for their animals, food and water for a minimum of three days, bowls and all supplies including waste bags and litter.

To see evacuation zones for Collier County, click HERE.

• Naples Aviation and the air traffic control tower at Naples Airport will remain closed through Thursday, Sept. 29.
• City of Naples public buildings will close until further notice.
• City of Naples will suspend all garbage, recycling, and horticulture collections until further notice starting Wednesday.
• Solid waste collection services have been suspended for Wednesday, Sep. 28 in Collier County, the City of Marco Island, and the City of Everglades. 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 also be closed on Wednesday, September 28. 
• Collier County Public Schools have been canceled Tuesday and Wednesday (September 27th and 28th). That includes after-school programs.
• All City of Naples Recreation Centers, the Norris Center, Concession Operations, Lowdermilk Park, Tennis Center, and City Dock will remain closed to the public until further notice.
• The Florida Department of Health in Collier County is currently closed.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY –

Charlotte County is under a State of Emergency

Charlotte County Public Safety has resumed emergency response to calls following Hurricane Ian. This includes the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, Charlotte County Fire & EMS, and City of Punta Gorda first responders.

Punta Gorda has issued a citywide boil water notice due to the city water system being empty. The City of Punta Gorda Government said a fill station will be available for residents at the water plant. Once damaged pipes are repaired, the system will be restarted, according to Punta Gorda officials.

PUNTA GORDA: The storm caused serious damage to the city water system, and the water system is currently empty. Water services will be restored as repairs are made, but it may take days to complete repairs. A water fill station will be available for residents at the water plant located at 38100 Washington Loop Road. Additional water availability has been requested through the Emergency Operations Center. A boil water notice will be in effect until further notice.

Charlotte County officials have enacted a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for all of Charlotte County until further notice.

First responders and emergency management staff are still weathering the storm and providing service to the community by providing security at shelters and coordinating additional resources from around the State. They have not been able to safely access the damage caused by Hurricane Ian.

FOR THOSE WHO EVACUATED – You are asked to NOT RETURN to Charlotte County at this time. The roads are extremely dangerous with many unknown hazards.

ShorePoint Health Port Charlotte is currently in lockdown and will reopen as the weather and campus safety permits. At this time, no one is allowed in or out of the hospital.

For Hurricane Ian information, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-743-1320. Please use 911, for emergency services only.

Shelter availability in Port Charlotte.

• Kingsway Elementary School 23300 Quasar Blvd., Port Charlotte
• Liberty Elementary School 370 Atwater St., Port Charlotte
• Neil Armstrong Elementary School 22100 Breezeswept Ave., Port Charlotte
• Harold Ave. Regional Park Recreation Center 23400 Harold Ave., Port Charlotte

Babcock Ranch has opened an additional shelter at the Babcock School Field House located at 43301 Cypress Pkwy., Punta Gorda.

The City of North Port has declared a Local State of Emergency.

• The curbside collection has been suspended in Charlotte County until further notice.
• The Punta Gorda Police Department has announced emergency services will be suspended during Hurricane Ian.
• Tom Adams Bridge and South Gulf Cove Lock will be closed to boat traffic at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Sep. 27, until after winds from Hurricane Ian subside. Charlotte County officials said staff will not man the Tom Adams Bridge or be able to respond to any issues at the South Gulf Cove lock.
• North Porth City Hall closed Wednesday, Sept. 28-29. No waste collection on Wednesday and Thursday.
• Charlotte County libraries, recreation centers, pools, and all programs will be closed until Friday.
• Charlotte County Public Schools have been canceled for Tuesday, Sep. 27, Wednesday, Sep. 28 and Thursday, Sep. 29.
• Offices of the City of Punta Gorda are closed until Friday.
• No sanitation services until the storm has passed. 

DESOTO COUNTY –

Shelters Available in DeSoto County

• Special Needs Shelter
  The shelter is at South Florida State College at 2251 NE Turner Ave #2700, Arcadia, FL 34266
  ~Bring all necessary medical equipment and medicine.
  ~Do you have a pet? – Your pet will be boarded at the Animal Services facility.  Bring proof of vaccinations
• General Population Shelter. The shelter is at the Turner Center 2250 NE Roan St, Arcadia, FL 34266
  Pets are allowed but will be boarded in crates in a separate area from the people, Must have proof of vaccination on a leash and owners must bring all necessities for animals, food, leashes and bedding.

DeSoto County is under a State of Emergency.

The DeSoto County School District will be closed Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday.

HENDRY COUNTY –

Hendry County is under a State of Emergency.

GLADES COUNTY –

Glades County is under a State of Emergency.

Shelter availability in LaBelle.

• West Glades Elementary 2586 CR 731, LaBelle, FL 33935
• Only shelter – must bring your own food, water, bedding and supplies. Animals are allowed but MUST be in crates.