Hurricane Ian Monday 5pm Update

The Hurricane Ian 5pm update came with some pretty big changes. Starting with the strength. Ian is now a 100 mph hurricane as it closes in on Cuba. Additionally, as I'm sure you've heard, that's not the mountainous side of Cuba. Cuba is not going to slow this thing down as it ramps up to a major hurricane.

The direction of the cone hasn't changed much for the Hurricane Ian 5pm update, basically, it's become a little more clear as to where Ian is going. The Tampa area is now under a hurricane warning. Our status in Southwest Florida has changed as well, we're under a Tropical Storm Warning. There is a very serious threat of major flooding in the Tampa Bay area.

Charlotte County Zone A - Red Evacuation Ordered

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (Sept. 26, 2022) – Charlotte County Emergency Management has issued evacuation orders for residents in Zone A - Red areas. This includes those living on the barrier islands of Don Pedro Island, Knight Island (Palm Island), Little Gasparilla Island, Gasparilla Island, and Manasota Key, as well as residents in any zone living in mobile homes and trailers.

To find your zone, visit www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov/knowyourzone.

This is unconfirmed info, but from a very reliable source. Lee County could soon see some evacuation notices.

My phone just scared the hell out of me. The EAS went off to announce a STORM SURGE WARNING for us here in SWFL. I'm closely watching Leonardo Arms on Fort Myers Beach. I wouldn't be surprised at all if those condos fell into the gulf this week. Unfortunate, but possible. I have a friend with a condo there. He's moved all of his stuff out.

Lastly, I put my hurricane shutters up on my Estero house. I have the metal accordion type ones. You loosen the screws, hang them, tighten the screws. Seems simple, but....  the house was painted 3 years ago and all those screws were painted over. And they've had 3 years of sunlight to cook. Not fun. But it's done.

Check out our guide for more info.

EDIT: 

More info from Charlotte County:

Charlotte County State of Emergency Declared, Facilities Closed, Board Meeting Canceled

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (Sept. 26, 2022) – The Charlotte County Commission on Monday declared a local state of emergency due to Hurricane Ian.

Charlotte County offices will be closed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday Sept. 27 due to Hurricane Ian. Charlotte County public schools will be closed Tuesday, Sept. 27 with decisions for additional days being made at a later time.

The Board of County Commissioners Regular and Land Use meeting originally set for Tuesday, Sept. 27 meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday, Oct. 4.

Fire/EMS stations will remain open. Emergency Management, Public Works and Utilities personnel will continue to perform essential functions, such as water and sewer service, stormwater drainage and storm recovery operations.

Hurricane Central - Preparedness Guide gives you the updated information you may need in the event of a hurricane. Just because 2021 was a quiet year for storms doesn't mean we can ever let our guard down. This guide is sponsored by local businesses here in SWFL. Gavin's Ace Hardware, Sean King Law, and Powerhouse Home Services.

Lee County:

Emergency Operations Center 239-533-0622

Bonita Springs YMCA – Bonita Springs

Island Coast High School – Cape Coral

Estero Recreation Center – Estero

Germain Arena – Estero

South Fort Myers High School (Pet Friendly) – Fort Myers

E. Lee County High School (Pet Friendly) – Lehigh Acres

Harns Marsh Elementary School – Lehigh Acres

Harns Marsh Middle School – Lehigh Acres

Mirror Lakes Elementary School – Lehigh Acres

Varsity Lakes Middle School – Lehigh Acres

Veterans Park Recreation Center – Lehigh Acres

Collier County

Emergency Operations Center: 239-252-3600

Highlands Elementary School – Immokalee

Immokalee Friendship House – Immokalee

Immokalee High School – Immokalee

Immokalee Middle School – Immokalee

Pinecrest Elementary School – Immokalee

Village Oaks Elementary – Immokalee

Barron Collier High School – Naples

Big Cypress Elementary – Naples

Corkscrew Elem/Middle School – Naples

Cypress Palm Middle School – Naples

Golden Gate Intermediate School – Naples

Golden Gate Middle School – Naples

Golden Gate High School – Naples

Golden Terrace Intermediate School – Naples

Gulf Coast Intermediate School – Naples

Gulf Coast High School – Naples

Laurel Oak Elementary School – Naples

Lely High School – Naples

Mike Davis Elementary School

Naples High School

North collier Regional Park (Pet Friendly) – Pre-registration is required

North Naples Middle School

Oakridge Middle School

Palmetto Ridge High School – Special Needs

Pelican Marsh Elementary

Sable Palm Elementary School

St. Matthews House

Veterans Community Park

Vineyards Elementary School

Charlotte County

Emergency Operations Center: 941-833-4000

*All Charlotte County shelters are now Pet Friendly

Lemon Bay High School – Englewood

Myakka River Elementary School – Englewood

Kingsway Elementary School – Port Charlotte

Liberty Elementary School – Port Charlotte

Meadow Park Elementary School – Port Charlotte

Murdock Middle School – Port Charlotte

Port Charlotte High School – Port Charlotte

Port Charlotte Middle School – Port Charlotte

Sallie Jones Elementary School -Punta Gorda

South County Regional Park -Punta Gorda

L.A. Ainger MIddle School – Rotonda

Vineland Elementary School – Rotonda

Hendry County

Emergency Operations Center: 863-674-5400

Central Elementary School – Clewiston

Clewiston High School – Clewiston

Clewiston Middle School (Primary Shelter) – Clewiston

Eastside Elementary School – Clewiston

Westside Elementary School – Clewiston

Country Oaks Elementary School – LaBelle

LaBelle Elementary School – LaBelle

LaBelle High School – LaBelle

LaBelle Middle School (Primary Shelter) – LaBelle

Glades County

Emergency Operations Center: 863-946-6020

Buckhead Ridge VFW – Buckhead Ridge

Maple Grove Baptist Church – Lakeport

Glades County Health Department (Special Needs) – Moore Haven

Moore Haven High School – Moore Haven

Muse Community Assn. – Muse

West Glades Elementary (Special Needs) – Muse

Desoto County

Emergency Operations Center – 863-993-4831

Desoto Middle School -Arcadia

South Florida State College (Special Needs) -Arcadia

Hurricane watch = conditions possible within the next 48 hrs.

Steps to take:

Hurricane warning = conditions are expected within 36 hrs.

Steps to take:

Follow the hurricane timeline preparedness checklist, depending on when the storm is anticipated to hit and the impact that is projected for your location.