Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key Wednesday night as a Category 3 storm. Follow live updates showing the storm's aftermath and recovery efforts in Southwest Florida.
Milton rapidly intensified into a major Category 5 hurricane in the southwestern Gulf Monday morning, with winds topping 180 mph and a near-record low central pressure. The storm spurred tornadoes that left swaths of destruction across the state.
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Power outages
Interactive Map: Florida power outages by county
Friday Live Updates
>2:45 p.m.
City of Sanibel gives an update on Hurricane Milton recovery
>2:10 p.m.
Hot meals on Fort Myers Beach.
>1::00 p.m.
Lee County power update provided by the county.
- 69,990 LCEC customers were without power.
- 65,860 FPL customers were without power.
Interactive Map: Florida power outages by county
> 12:55 p.m.
Charlotte County opens three distribution centers on Friday
More details here .
> 12:30 p.m.
City of Naples gives Hurricane Milton recovery update
Road Conditions: The southern portion of Gordon Drive is impassable or difficult to navigate. We urge residents to avoid driving in this area while emergency crews are working.
Beach End Closures: All beach ends, including the Naples Pier and Lowdermilk Park, are CLOSED until further notice. DO NOT drive on the sand at beach ends, as the soft sand increases the risk of vehicles getting stuck.
Tennis Center Closure: The Arthur Allen Tennis will remain closed while the clay courts are dried and repaired.
City Offices: Offices and facilities are open.
Swim Advisory: The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) has issued a SWIM ADVISORY for our area. Please avoid entering the water and wear footwear when walking on the sand due to debris.
What You Can Do with Beach Sand:
- The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has authorized that clean, white, fluffy sand that has washed up from the beach can be returned to the beach without a permit. The sand must be free of plant matter (vegetative debris), construction debris, and any organic materials like mulch, topsoil, or black sand. It also cannot be placed over any vegetation on the beach, even if the vegetation looks dead.
- If you are unsure, please contact Natalie Hardman, Natural Resources Manager, for guidance or to request a sand inspection before placing it on the beach. You can reach Natalie at (239) 213-1031 or nhardman@naplesgov.com .
- Please note, other activities like replacing steps, walkovers, and dune plantings still require a permit from the City.
> 12:20 p.m.
Water back on at Matlacha, Shoreview
Statement: The water to residents of Matlacha and Shoreview has been restored. You may experience intermittent outages while our crew continues to look for any leaks in the lines. You are under a precautionary boil water notice, and we will send out alerts when that has been cleared. Please remember to NOT pressure wash or fill your pool for a few more days as this creates differences in pressure at the plant making it more difficult for our crew to locate leaks.
> 12:15 p.m.
President Joe Biden to visit areas impacted by Hurricane Milton
On Sunday, October 13th, the President will travel to Florida to visit areas impacted by Hurricane Milton. Additional details to follow.
> 12:12 p.m.
Cape Coral city leaders provide Milton recovery update
Water Station:
- Water stations/Aquapods will open today at noon at Jim Jeffers Park to supply drinking water to residents. Residents must bring their own containers.
- Beginning tomorrow (October 12), the water distribution will take place from 7 AM to 7 PM daily until further notice.
Waste Collection:
- Waste Pro will resume household trash pickup on Monday, October 14.
- However, there will be no collection of recycling, bulk waste, or horticulture next week. Only regular garbage will be collected.
Debris Removal:
- Curbside pickup of hurricane-related horticulture debris will begin the week of October 21.
- Residential drop-off sites for debris are expected to open early next week. We will provide further details on dates and locations soon.
> 12:10 p.m.
City of Sanibel offers 'important utility update'
Statement: LCEC is working to have the substation energized this afternoon. This will take time as power will be restored throughout the island in stages. Once the substation is powered, crews will assess additional line issues that may identified.
To prepare for the possibility of an extended power outage, the City of Sanibel has requested additional generators to power needed components of the City's sanitary sewer system. Some of that equipment has arrived today and staff has started the installation process.
At this time, please do not use the water inside your home. The sewer system could back up into your property until the City's sanitary sewer system is restored. You may use water outside your home to clean items provided the water does not enter the sewer system.
>12:00 p.m.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell held a press conference with Punta Gorda Mayor Lynne Matthews and City Manager Gregory B. Murray to provide an update on the federal and local efforts responding to Hurricane Milton.
> 12:00 p.m.
Lee County officials give updates on Hurricane Milton recovery
> 11:42 a.m.
Sanibel Causeway reopens, no hurricane pass required
> 11:32 a.m.
High school football games canceled for Lee County schools
> 11:18 a.m.
Collier Area Transit resumes operations, fares waived until further notice
> 11:00 a.m.
Gov. Ron DeSantis holds a news conference from St. Petersburg.
> 10:20 a.m.
Bonita Springs maintains curfew as crews continue recovery operations
Statement: There is a curfew for Bonita Beach from 10pm- 7am. County staff is working hard to clean up sand from the roadways. Clean up will take time.
> 10:15 a.m.
Cape Coral Parks and Recs remain closed
Statement: City parks and park facilities remain closed while staff continue with debris removal and assessments.
Collier County reminds residents to be mindful of water use
Statement: As power is restored to the area, we have made great progress with more than 80% system restoration. Please continue to be mindful of your water use while we get the system back to normal operations.
> 10 a.m.
Lee County officials to offer updates regarding Hurricane Milton in media conference at noon
> 9:50 a.m.
Contractors can go over Matanzas Pass Bridge at noon on Friday
Statement: Beginning at noon, all contractors, landscapers, and anyone working to remove debris from residential or commercial properties will be allowed on the Island with the Town of Fort Myers Beach Contractor Re-entry Pass.
To obtain a pass, find the Town of Fort Myers Beach staff located in the Target Parking lot and provide the address you are going to work. All Contractors will need to provide their Contractor License Number, if available.
Target Address: 15880 San Carlos Blvd Ste 101, Fort Myers, FL 33908
> 9:30 a.m.
All water on Marco Island is safe to drink, except for one small area on the map below:
> 9:15 a.m.
Town of Fort Myers Beach offers re-entry passes to residents
The Town of Fort Myers Beach is giving residents re-entry passes in the Target parking lot off of San Carlos Blvd.
Staff will be there from 7:00am - 4:30pm, weather permitting.
> 9:05 a.m.
Beach Road remains closed as crews clear hazards
Statement: As of this morning, there is NO ACCESS being granted to Beach Rd. for ANYONE. Crews continue to work to clear hazards and make the area safe again, but until that time Beach Rd. is CLOSED for safety.
> 8:45 a.m.
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office reports no casualties following Hurricane Milton
Statement:
Yesterday, CCSO and other authorities conducted door-to-door searches of all the barrier islands, Englewood Beach, Boca Grande, and other low-lying areas. Though there was substantial damage found, we are happy to report we discovered no casualties. Things can be replaced. People can't.
Blind Pass Bridge reopens for City of Sanibel
Statement: Blind Pass Bridge is open and can be crossed by vehicles with caution. DOT is active in the area with heavy equipment and is currently moving large amounts of sand. There will be deputies present directing traffic.
Residents attempting entry by vehicle will need to follow the orders of the City of Sanibel. Show a valid ID AND proof that you own property on Captiva Island, or a valid pass from the City of Sanibel.
What's open/closed?
Find your Publix store here .
Find your local Walmart here .
Live cameras
- Matlacha Bridge Traffic Webcam
- King Fisher Fleet - Punta Gorda
- Pink Shell Fort - Myers Beach
- North Shore Park - North Fort Myers
- Babcock Ranch
- Sanibel Harbour Resort
- Punta Gorda Airport
- JetBlue Park - Fort Myers
- Margaritaville Beach Resort - Fort Myers Beach
- Bayview Dental Arts - Naples
- Hamilton Harbour Yacht Club - Naples
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