You can keep up with the latest Milton track here.
Update Tuesday 2:22 p.m.
The Town of Fort Myers Beach is under a boil water notice due to the water being shut off from Hurricane Milton.
The town says once the water is back on, there must be two consecutive days of satisfactory water samples in order to lift the notice.
Update Tuesday 1:20 p.m.
LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS CLOSED THROUGH FRIDAY
The Lee County School District just announced that schools will be closed through Friday.
Because Milton is now expected to make landfall on Thursday, the district doesn't think there will be enough time to close shelter sites, assess all buildings, and ensure their safety for reopening by Friday.
Lee County leaders provide a Tuesday afternoon update:
- Officials encourage you to shelter in place all day on Wednesday, complete your preps today and move outside your zone if you're under evacuation. The zones under evacuation are A and B.
- There are 1,651 people currently in a shelter, including more than 500 people at the Estero Rec Center. Leaders say there is plenty of space available at the shelters.
- Additional shelters have opened including Alico Arena, East Lee County High School, Harns Marsh Elementary School and Harns Marsh Middle School
- Bring a 3-day supply of food, water and medications, if you're staying at a shelter.
- Pets are allowed at all shelters, but they must have a leash, a crate, food and a photo of them.
- Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel have curfews starting at 10 p.m. Tuesday
- Lee County does not have a curfew at this time.
- The Lee County Sheriff's Office says the jails are 100% staffed and water tanks are on standby, including two weeks worth of food.
- Deputies are at entrances and exits of the barrier islands, including signs with an evacuation message.
- After Milton, LCSO has vehicles and boats ready to potentially rescue people.
- Deputies will not be able to get to you during the storm, the sheriff said.
- Further evacuations will depend on the storm surge, according to the public safety director.
Update: Tuesday 11:43 a.m.
Lehigh Acres Fire Station 102 at 44 Homestead Rd S is out of sand, but there are some bags left.
Station 104 at 3102 16th St W is out of bags, but you can get sand there.
Update: Tuesday 11:32 a.m.
RSW PARKING:
RSW says the parking lot is full, but there is still space at the long-term lot. Rental car facilities will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday.
Update: Tuesday 9:30 a.m.
CURFEW FOR FORT MYERS BEACH
The Town of Fort Myers Beach says it's curfew will go into effect at 10 p.m.
The curfew prohibits any pedestrian or vehicular movement within the town limits, except for on-duty fire, police, or Town employees, and other emergency services and utility personnel explicitly authorized by the Town of Fort Myers Beach.
Update: Tuesday 8:10 a.m.
"WE'RE GOING TO GO AS FAR AS WE POSSIBLY CAN."
Fox 4's Miyoshi Price spoke to a couple who lives on Sanibel about the evacuation orders for the island. Watch her live report here:
Update: Tuesday 7:45 a.m.
Governor Ron DeSantis gave an update on state response to Hurricane Milton live from the state emergency operations center. He talked about fuel, the possibility for power outages, the threat of storm surge, shelters, and evacuations. Watch a portion of his news conference here:
"DON'T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN"
Fox 4's Bella Line spoke with people in Cape Coral about how they're making the decision about evacuating before Hurricane Milton. Watch her report here:
SLEEPING IN THE STAIRWELL
Fox 4's Dominga Murray met people in downtown Fort Myers who say they will not follow the evacuation order. Watch her report here:
"NOBODY'S REALLY PREPARED FOR THIS"
Fox 4's Ella Rhoades went to Harlem Heights, a Fort Myers neighborhood hit badly by Hurricane Ian, to see how people are getting ready for Milton. Watch her report here:
Flights
RSW says most airlines are planning to operate on Tuesday, October 8th.
However, no flights will be operating on Wednesday, October 9th or Thursday, October 10th.
Free parking in Downtown Fort Myers' garages
The City of Fort Myers plans to offer free parking in Downtown Fort Myers starting Tuesday at 8:00 a.m.
This includes City of Palms, Main Street, and Luminary Hotel garages
The city says entrance/exit gates will be removed - making parking available at no cost to the public.
Drivers with lithium batteries are asked to park higher to avoid potential water intrusion.
A message from Lee Health
Lee Health hospitals remain open.
- Most Lee Health outpatient facilities are closed Tuesday through Thursday, except for the Complex Care Centers that will be open until Tuesday at 5 p.m. Call Centers will also be open to take calls on Tuesday.
- Lee Health staffing will transition to Code Brown beginning at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8 with Team A reporting to their assigned locations.
- Lyfts are being provided to all staff who would like to leave their cars off hospital property. Information for utilizing the service is available through Lee Health.
- Staff with questions about current response can call the Lee Health Storm Hotline at 239-468-7876.
- The Young Driver program on October 8 was rescheduled to Tuesday October 15 at AAA 2516 Colonial Blvd Fort Myers from 5pm to 7pm.
Turn your irrigation system off before you leave, Sanibel & Captiva residents.
The Island Water Association says it will temporarily shut down the area's treatment plant late Tuesday night, and use a limited amount of stores water on the island. That's why they say "it is critical that residents turn off irrigation systems before evacuating the island" in an effort to avoid quickly depleting the stored water. Their return date is unknown at this time.
"Residents are encouraged to turn water off to their properties before they evacuate. Water can be turned off at the meter or backflow device, if one is on the property."
Bonita Springs update from leaders
- The Imperial River is currently at 10.34 feet.
- Crews are clearing storm drains to prepare for Milton.
- They will pick up debris Monday and Tuesday, but do not put out additional debris at this time.
- Bonita Springs Fire District says it will not go out and make rescues during the hurricane.
Lee Tran update for people living in Bonita Springs
Evacuation Zone Information:
Noon Update from Lee County Leaders
- Mandatory evacuation of Zones A & B. Residents are required to leave by Tuesday evening. You can find your zone here. The county says this evacuation impacts about 416,000 residents.
- Island Coast High School, Dunbar High School and the Estero Recreation Center will open at 3 p.m. on Monday.
- All shelters accept pets and must be on a leash or in a crate. You can find shelter information here.
- Lee Tran has suspended fares - effective immediately.
- Tolls on all Lee County bridges have been suspended.
- Solid waste is suspended Tuesday and Thursday.
University Closure
"The Rasmussen University Fort Myers campus will close Tuesday and Wednesday due to Hurricane Milton. Please see the attached media alert for additional information."
Sand Locations
Check with these locations to ensure that sand is still available before you go.
Mandatory Evacuation for Fort Myers Beach
The Town of Fort Myers Beach has issued a Mandatory Evacuation for the entire Island.
Watch Miyoshi Price's report here:
Ways to stay connected for updates directly from Lee County
