Lee County Government update on Hurricane Milton

10/09/2024

Lee County’s daily noon update on Hurricane Milton is available for viewing on the county’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/@LeeCountyFLBOC. You can view it by clicking here.

Some highlights from the briefing, which included Lee County Commissioners, Lee County Public Safety Director Benjamin Abes and Lee County Sherriff Carmine Marceno are:

  • Milton is a powerful Category 4 Major Hurricane. Residents need to be aware that the forecast includes:
    • Sustained tropical storm force winds, and sustained hurricane force winds at the peak of our impacts
    • Winds will start to impact our area overnight, including gusts to tropical storm force
    • Storm surge of 6 to 10 feet.
    • Everyone needs to be to their shelter-in-place location today.
    • Do not plan on driving on Wednesday.
  • The Emergency Operations Center is fully activated, there is a State of Local Emergency in effect and mandatory evacuation orders are in effect.
    • The county on Monday ordered a mandatory evacuation of Zone A and B, which includes more than 416,000 residents.
    • Zone C is not being evacuated currently.
    • Everyone in Zones A and B should move to a safe place by 10 p.m. today and shelter in place all of Wednesday.
  • As of 11 a.m., there were more than 1,650 people in our shelters. Lee County has 13 shelters open. There is plenty of room for evacuees. The shelters are:
    • Alico Arena 12181 FGCU Lake Parkway East, Fort Myers, FL 33913
    • Dunbar High School, 3800 Edison Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33916
    • East Lee County High School, 715 Thomas Sherwin Ave., Lehigh Acres, FL 33974
    • Estero Recreation Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero, FL 33928
    • Gateway High School, 13820 Griffin Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33913
    • Harns Marsh Elementary School, 1800 Unice Ave. N., Lehigh Acres, FL 33971
    • Harns Marsh Middle School, 1820 Unice Ave. N., Lehigh Acres, FL 33971
    • Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero, FL 33928
    • Island Coast High School, 2125 DeNavarra Parkway, Cape Coral, FL 33909
    • Oak Hammock Middle School, 5321 Tice St.,Fort Myers, FL 33905
    • Tortuga Preserve Elementary School, 1711 Gunnery Road N.,Lehigh Acres, FL 33971
    • Treeline Elementary School, 10900 Treeline Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33913
    • Varsity Lakes Middle School, 801 Gunnery Road N., Lehigh Acres, FL 33971
  • Transportation is available to shelters:
    • LeeTran – go to any LeeTran stop and advise the driver that you are going to an open shelter. They will take you to a transfer center, and another bus can get you to a shelter.  LeeTran staff is there to direct passengers.
    • LeeTran is only transporting off-island on Fort Myers Beach.
    • Uber – Florida Division of Emergency Management has partnered with Uber to provide Floridians free rides to and from shelters in counties evacuating for Hurricane Milton. To get a ride, use promo code MILTONRELIEF in the Uber app.
    • If you require additional assistance, you can call the Emergency Information Hotline at 211, or 239 433-3900.
  • If you’re heading to one of Lee County’s shelters, you need to bring your Emergency Supply Kit. Include a three-day supply of food, water and any medications you need. Food should be shelf stable. No access to electricity or refrigeration will be available. You might consider items to make yourself more comfortable as well.
  • Pets are allowed in all Lee County shelters, but you’re responsible for bringing anything your pets will need:
    • Collar, leash and ID tags.
    • Photo of your pet in case you become separated.
    • Bring a crate or pet carrier.
    • Water, food and clean-up supplies, including waste bags for dogs and litter box with litter for cats.
  • Curfew
    • The Town of Fort Myers Beach and City of Sanibel have announced curfews.
    • Lee County has not yet announced a curfew. The county is communicating and coordinating with municipalities and law enforcement partners and will make a decision when appropriate in the near future.