Tropical Storm Helene is gaining strength as it moves toward the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to become a hurricane on Wednesday. Helene is forecast to become a Category 3 hurricane on Thursday as it moves toward Florida's northern Gulf coast. Get the latest weather forecast here .
>>Local State of Emergency
Southwest Florida counties are declaring a local state of emergency on Tuesday due to Tropical Storm Helene.
Lee and Charlotte counties are under a Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Warning as of Tuesday afternoon. Click here for the latest.
Know your evacuation zone
Click HERE for an interactive Florida evacuation zone map.
>>Where to Find Sandbags
Southwest Florida faces the threat of potential storm surge and flooding in low-lying and coastal areas from Helene over the next several days.
It's important to ensure your vehicle can safely handle the weight of the sandbags you're taking.
Click here
for list of locations with sand for sandbags to help protect your home.
>>School Closures
Students, teachers and staff from schools all across Southwest Florida are being impacted by closures due to tropical weather.
Click here for the latest updates on public schools that will be closed at some point this week, including colleges and universities.
Weather alerts
First, make sure you have a way to get weather alerts. It could be your smartphone, a weather radio or watching NBC2 .
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What should you have in a hurricane kit?
The NBC 2 First Alert Weather Team recommends you have these items ready before the storm strikes:
- Bottled water: one gallon of water per person per day
- Canned food and soup, such as beans and chili
- Can opener for the cans without the easy open lids
- Assemble a first-aid kit
- Two weeks' worth of prescription medications
- Baby/children's needs, such as formula and diapers
- Flashlight and batteries
- Battery-operated weather radio
>>NBC2 First Alert Hurricane Guide+ Maps and interactives
NBC2 has you covered with our First Alert Hurricane Guide+, with interactive maps, weather cams, radar, tracking and more to help you stay in the know. A guide that gets smarter with every storm.
Phone numbers to know
For all life-threatening emergencies, dial 911
LEE COUNTY
- Lee County Emergency Information Hotline 239-433-2000
- Lee County Emergency Management 239-533-0622
- Cape Coral Emergency Management 239-573-3022
- Lee County Sheriff's Office (non-emergency) 239-477-1000
- Cape Coral Police Department (non-emergency) 239-574-3223
-
Fort Myers Police Department (non-emergency) 239-321-7700
- United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades & Okeechobee Counties 239-433-2000 or 211
COLLIER COUNTY
- Emergency Hotline (non-life-threatening) 311 or 239-252-8444
- Collier County Sheriff's Office (non-emergency) 239-252-9300
- Marco Island Police (non-emergency) 239-389-5050
- City of Naples Police - Fire, Police & Medical (non-emergency) 239-213-4844
CHARLOTTE COUNTY
- Charlotte County Sheriff's Office (non-emergency) 941-833-4161
- Emergency Operations 941-743-1320 or 941-833-4000
- Charlotte County Utilities 941-764-4300
DeSoto County
- DeSoto County Emergency Management 863-993-4831
- DeSoto County Sheriff's Office (non-emergency) 863-993-4700
- DeSoto County Sheriff's Office - south county residents (non-emergency) 941-743-6777
Glades County
- Emergency Management/EMS863-946-0566
- Glades County Sheriff's Office (non-emergency) 877.445.2337
- Clewiston 863-983.2020
- LaBelle 863-675.1144
-
Okeechobee 863-763.115
SWFL Utilities
- FPL 1-800-468-8243
- Comcast 1-800-934-6489
- Lee County Electric (LCEC) 1-800-599-2356
- CenturyLink 1-800-201-4099
Report a power outage
Check the power outage map and report outages in your area with FPL online here or call 1-866-263-9186. For LCEC check online here , or call 1-800-599-2356.
Follow the NBC2 weather team on social media
- Chief Meteorologist Allyson Rae on Facebook and X
- Meteorologist Jason Dunning on Facebook and X
- Meteorologist Rob Duns on Facebook and X
- Meteorologist Lauren Hope on Facebook and X
- Meteorologist Jesslyn Ferentz on Facebook and X
- Meteorologist Sami Squires on Facebook and X
Watch our forecasts on TV or online
- Here's where to find our latest video forecast
- You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here
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