A sign directs hurricane evacuees to safety.
Both Lee and Charlotte Counties in Southwest Florida have declared a local state of emergency ahead of coming Hurricane Milton evacuation notices. The level two state of emergency was activated for Lee County at noon on Sunday. Charlotte County notices went out at 12:15pm.
Hurricane Milton Evacuation Notices.
UPDATE (10/6 5pm): The Town of Fort Myers Beach has issued a Mandatory Evacuation for the entire Island. "We encourage residents and business owners to make a plan and be evacuated by 3:00pm, on Monday, October 7, 2024. The Hurricane Re-entry Pass Program will be implemented following Hurricane Milton. If you are not a resident, please do not try to re-enter the Island as this will only make it more difficult for our residents to get back to their homes."
UPDATE (10/7 12PM): Lee County Zones A & B should evacuate by Tuesday evening. Find your evacuation zone here --> https://leegis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=347e85a76bcd4e92ae45d387fd088938
With the exact path of Hurricane Milton still unknown, Lee County has taken these steps.
- County offices to close at noon on Monday with an anticipated reopening on Thursday.
- Additional evacuation orders expected to come on Monday.
- Some shelters to open on Monday with additional shelters opening on Tuesday.
- Debris from Helene will continue on Monday and likely Tuesday. Trash pickup on Monday will run as scheduled, and then suspended until announced.
Charlotte County is also under a level 2 state of emergency. Additionally, Charlotte County is currently under a Flood Watch. Tropical Storm Milton is strengthening and is expected to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane before making landfall on Florida's west coast. Life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall are associated with this storm.
The current local state of emergency due to Hurricane Helene will be extended for seven days. Soon to be Hurricane Milton evacuation notices are to be expected. Widespread flooding impacted Charlotte County from Hurricane Helene, closing many roads, including 41. Residents are urged to make their plans now.
Milton's Track
The latest track bumped slightly southward. All signs continue to point towards a major hurricane hitting the Tampa area. Under this scenario, strong surge and heavy rains will hit Southwest Florida, adding to the already saturated grounds from Helene and the weekend's rains. Catastrophic flooding is possible. Please heed evacuation warnings once they are issued. There is an additional issue coming after the storm that may be overlooked....
Emergency Services Are Stretched Thin
With ongoing efforts to restore power and services to areas hit hard by Helene, we may not see the rapid response that we are used to. The people that fix our utilities are already busy. When Hurricane Milton evacuation notices come down and you consider staying, this fact should be in your mind.
