LIVE BLOG | Southwest Florida's updates on power, roads, schools & recovery aid

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WFTX) — Fox 4 is in communities across Southwest Florida to bring you the latest updates as Hurricane Milton is downgraded to a Category 1 storm. Our team of Community Correspondents will be keeping track of important information for you and your family in one space right here.

Tuesday | 5:26 p.m. | Sarasota County

The Points of Distribution at Glebe Park and San Pedro Catholic Church will conclude operations on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Officials added that the four remaining PODs will be open at Englewood, VCC, Youth Complete and Bayside Community Church will be open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

Tuesday | 5:19 p.m. | Charlotte County

Charlotte County Utilities customers are now able to resume normal water usage.

Tuesday | 4:08 p.m. | Sanibel

The Sanibel Recreation Center as well as all Sanibel building facilities are back open.

The recreation center will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Bowmans Beach Park is open as well.

Tuesday | 3:38 p.m. | Manatee County

There are 10,573 Manatee County electricity customers without power at this time. You can view an outage map here.

Tuesday | 2:38 p.m. | North Port

The Point of Distribution (POD) in North Port at San Pedro Catholic Church will be open until 7 p.m. today. It is the last day of operation and they will be providing food, water and tarps to those in need.

Tuesday | 1:50 p.m. | South Gulf Cove Lock

The South Gulf Cove lock has reopened for daily manned operation from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. only. Portions of this area were damaged by the Hurricane.

Tuesday | 1:30 p.m. | Drop-off locations for debris

Three temporary drop-off locations for storm debris have been added for residential properties in Charlotte County:

Transfer Facilities:

• Mid-County Mini-Transfer & Recycling Facility, 19765 Kenilworth Blvd., Port Charlotte
• West Charlotte Mini-Transfer & Recycling Facility, 7070 Environmental Way, Englewood

The hours for both facilities are 9 a.m. to gates closing at 4:45 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Special Drop-Off Location at the Landfill

• Charlotte County Landfill, 29751 Zemel Road, Punta Gorda
  This location is open from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays.

Tuesday | 12:30 p.m. | Food and Water Distribution

Polk County’s Walker Road food and water distribution site in Lakeland will cease operations on Wednesday as power has been largely restored to the area and stores have reopened.

Tuesday | 11:50 a.m. | Comcast Service Restoration

Comcast has released a restoration timeline for customers in the following counties.

Charlotte County

• Cape Haze and Punta Gorda – October 20th

Collier County

• Bonta Springs, Everglades City, Naples, Marco Island – October 20th

Lee County

• Cape Coral, Pine Island, Sanibel and Captiva Islands – October 23rd

Tuesday | 11:40 a.m. | Charlotte County

The Port Charlotte Public Library has reopened as of 10 a.m. on Tuesday. The Port Charlotte Public Library and the Punta Gorda Charlotte Library have both resumed normal operating hours.

Tuesday | 11:30 a.m. | Charlotte County Emergency Management

The south end of Manasota Key has reopened to residents and businesses.

Those who are returning to the area are urged to exercise caution as sidewalks and many side streets are still impacted by the debris.

For response and recovery information, you can call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday | 5:55 p.m. | Collier County Expands State of Local Emergency

The Collier County Board of County Commissioners extended the State of Local Emergency for the entire county due to Hurricane Milton. They made the initial proclamation on Oct.7, with an initial expiration date of Oct. 14. The board expanded it by an additional seven days to Oct. 21.

People who live in Collier County can call Collier 311 by dialing 3-1-1 within the county or 239-252-4311.

Monday | 4:10 p.m. | FEMA offers mental health resources

It's been a rough few weeks for a lot of us. If you could use some extra support, FEMA shared a list of mental health resources with Floridians.

You can find that here.

Monday | 3:05 p.m. | IWA rescinds boil water advisory

The Island Water Association rescinded a boil water advisory. All residents of Sanibel and Captiva islands can resume normal water usage.

IWA says the precautionary advisory was issued during the mandatory evacuation period. They say the water system remained in operation and maintained adequate pressure through that period. The IWA says water is safe to drink.

Monday | 2:55 p.m. | Sarasota County recovery

Sarasota County Government says the Disaster Recovery Center is now open at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail.

The center will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The site at the Sarasota Christian Church is now closed.

Click here for more information on available resources.

Monday | 12:35 p.m. | Gov. DeSantis provides an update on recovery

Governor Ron DeSantis says fuel stations remain open and operational for people needing gas. He says there are 500 tankers on hand to help distribute fuel to impacted residents.

You can watch the update below.

Monday | 12:20 p.m. | Charlotte County debris removal

Charlotte County Emergency Management launched a debris removal dashboard so you can stay updated on cleanup efforts.

The dashboard provides an interactive map and real-time updates on debris removal.

You can find it here.

Monday | 12:10 p.m. | Air Show canceled

Organizers for the 43rd Annual Florida Air Show announced the event is canceled this year as the area recovers from back-to-back hurricanes.

Read more on the development here.

Sunday | 5:55 p.m. | Watch Biden speak in Tampa

President Joe Biden arrived in Tampa Sunday morning to speak on the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.

You can watch the press conference below:

The Biden-Harris administration is granting $612 million for Hurricane Milton recovery efforts.

In his remarks on Sunday morning, he said $47 million would also be granted for Gainesville utilities and another $47 million towards Florida power and light.

He said this money aims to make the grid stronger and more capable for future storms.

If you need any help after the disaster, Biden said a great resource is through this link.

Sunday | 5:40 p.m. | Fort Myers Beach water safe to drink

The boil water advisory for Fort Myers Beach has been lifted after "two consecutive days of satisfactory bacteriological water," officials announced.

Sunday | 4:30 p.m. | Charlotte County curfew

The curfew put in place for Charlotte County earlier this week has been lifted, except for the barrier islands, officials announced.

A 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew is still in effect for Manasota Key, Little Gasparilla Island, Don Pedro, Knight Island, Thornton Key, Sandpiper Key and Palm Island until further notice. Violating the curfew could result in a misdemeanor.

The ban on the sale of alcohol has been lifted for all areas.

The Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center can provide recovery information at 941-833-4000 or on its website.

Sunday | 3:30 p.m. | Polk County food distribution

The last day for food and water distribution at the Frostproof location will be on Monday. The site, located at Family Life Church at 139 Bulldog Way, will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or until supplies run out.

For more information call the Citizens Information Line at 863-298-7500 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Sunday | 3 p.m. | State of Florida response

Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 51 counties. The declaration, approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, includes individual and public assistance.

You can read the executive order on the state's website.

Watch DeSantis provide an update with state officials below:

DeSanatis' office also said the State Assistance Information Line is taking calls 24/7 for English, Spanish and Haitian-Creole speakers at 1-800-342-3557.

Sunday afternoon, DeSantis met with Kevin Guthrie, the executive director of Florida's FEMA division, and Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue in Treasure Island to provide updates on response and recovery efforts.

The state says 6,700 soldiers and airmen have been activated by the Florida National Guard.

The state said as of noon, 891,623 Florida residents were still without power. Power has been restored for 3,179,560 customers.

Sunday | 1:40 p.m. | Lee County

Here's some good news.

On the end of restoration day three, LCEC crews had successfully restored power to 84,639 customers.

LCEC officials said they have reached 95% restoration of power for the utilities, which by their definition means power is restored.

For those still without power, teams will continue to work around the clock to restore power to the remaining customers.

Two basecamps are now fully operational, providing necessary lodging and meals for the restoration teams.

Sunday | 1:30 p.m. | Charlotte County

Normal water pressure has resumed in the Burnt Store Service Area.

The water utility still asks that you limit your water usage.

If you need help with recovery information, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Sunday | 1:23 p.m. | Sarasota County and Charlotte County

Both counties have fuel distribution sites.

In Sarasota County, the Florida Division of Emergency Management-operated fuel site will stay open today until 7 p.m. at Suncoast Technical College. The address is 4445 Career Lane, North Port. 

The limit for your vehicle is 10 gallons per car. Per Florida Highway Patrol, fuel will only be provided for vehicles and not portable gas tanks.

Other locations:

New College of Florida

• Open until 8 p.m.
• Address: 500 College Dr., Sarasota

South Florida State College

• Open until 7 p.m.
• Address: 2251 NE Turner Ave., Arcadia

In Charlotte County, FDEM has established a public fuel depot at Charlotte Sports Park, located at 2300 El Jobean Rd. in Port Charlotte. The site is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice to assist residents in their recovery efforts.
Each vehicle is limited to 10 gallons of fuel there, as well.

Sunday | 1:08 p.m. | Lee County

Waste Pro solid waste garbage collection will resume Monday, on the normally scheduled day for all routes in Cape Coral.

This collection is for household garbage only, which includes everyday trash items and all spoiled food. Important to note, storm debris is collected separately from household garbage. Set storm debris at the curb away from your normal weekly garbage service. It will be collected and documented separately.

If you have debris from storm damage, next Monday is the day for pickup for impacted areas in the city. Waste management officials said
will give residents time to return to their homes and set debris curbside before collection begins. However, the city asks you set out storm debris on Sunday, Oct. 13. If you do not want to wait for curbside debris collection, the city will have two resident debris drop-off sites opening Tuesday.

There will be one pass for construction and demolition debris and one pass for vegetation debris.

Here are some helpful tips:

• Place storm debris at the curb in four separate piles: household garbage, appliances (white goods), yard waste and construction and demolition debris. FEMA rules require documentation of the volume and type of debris collected to reimburse the city for storm cleanup, which saves local taxpayer dollars.
• Household garbage must be placed in a 40-gallon can or heavy plastic bag, each weighing no more than 50 pounds.
• Place yard waste in piles that can easily be managed by collection personnel with a claw truck.
• To expedite collection, do not place anything beneath low-hanging obstacles like trees or power lines or near fire hydrants or mailboxes.
• Food must be removed from any appliance set at the curb. Inedible food should be placed with your normal weekly garbage.

If you're in a gated community, the rules are different.
FEMA regulations require that private or gated communities have a current Right of Entry and Indemnification form on file with the City of Cape Coral before any disaster debris recovery crews are allowed to enter the community.

Saturday | 6:40 p.m. | Lee and Sarasota Counties

Water access has been restored in Casey Key. Sarasota County officials are now working to restore water in Siesta Key. 85,000 residents are still without power.

Lee County schools says most of its buildings will welcome students back on Monday. Fort Myers Beach Elementary and the Sanibel School will remain closed. Information for families who attend those schools will be available by Sunday at 5 p.m.

The USPS says it is resuming operations across Florida. There is more information about residents who have evacuated or are in temporary shelters available here.

Saturday | 4:02 p.m. | Gasparilla Island and Manasota Key reopen

Access to Gasparilla Island is open. Access to the bridgeless barrier islands and South Manasota Key remain closed.

The north end of Manasota Key has reopened to residents and businesses. Access runs from S.R. 776 to the roundabout and North Beach Road to the Charlotte-Sarasota county line. South Beach Road, from the roundabout south, remains closed.

Saturday | 2:48 p.m. | Sanibel debris pick up

Debris pick up is scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

Residents are urged to separate the debris as follows:

• VEGETATIVE DEBRIS (whole trees, tree stumps, tree branches, tree trunks and other leafy material)
• CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION DEBRIS (damaged components of buildings and structures such lumber and wood, wall board, glass, metal, roofing materials, tile, furnishings, and fixtures)
• APPLIANCES WHITE GOODS (refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, heat pumps, ovens, ranges, washing machines, clothes dryers and water heaters)
• ELECTRONIC WASTE (computers, televisions, office electronic equipment, etc.)
• HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE (materials that are ignitable, reactive, toxic or corrosive such as paints, cleaners, pesticides, etc.)

Saturday | 12:59 p.m. | Charlotte County Public Schools

Charlotte County Public Schools announced they would be reopening to students on Tuesday.

For more information, click here.

Saturday | 12:06 p.m. | Food distribution in Sarasota County

Officials in Sarasota County announced the following locations as distribution areas in the county until 7p.m.:

• Venice Community Center
• San Pedro Catholic Church
• Englewood Sports Complex
• Glebe Park

Saturday | 11:47 a.m. | Manasota Key update

"Charlotte County Public Works and Community Development are concentrating their crews on Manasota Key. Their primary goal is to expedite road clearing and damage assessments to open the north side of the key to residents and business owners. The county crews are working in conjunction with FPL to ensure downed power lines are not energized. We ask for patience as our staff works hard to clear the island roads of sand and other hazardous debris so that residents can return to their properties safely. For your safety, Manasota Key, Don Pedro/Knight Island, Little Gasparilla, and Boca Grande remain closed to residents, guests, and business owners."

Saturday | 11:09 a.m. | Power outage update

According to LCEC, more than 85% of customers have power.

Customers without power by county:

• Broward: 0%
• Charlotte: 0.23%
• Collier: 6%
• Hendry: 2.7%
• Lee: 14%

Saturday | 11:03 a.m. | Parks reopen in Lee County

The following parks and facilites reopened Saturday after they were deemed safe:

Boat Ramps

• Alva Boat Ramp
• Davis Boat Ramp

Recreation

• Kelly Road Soccer Complex
• North Fort Myers Recreation Center
• Veterans Recreation Center
• Wa-Ke Hatchee Recreation Center

Preserves

• Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve – East and West
• Prairie Pines Preserve
• Pop Ash Creek Preserve
• Telegraph Creek Preserve

Parks

• Charleston Park
• Hickey Creek Mitigation Park
• Hunter Park
• Judd Park
• Karl Drews Community Park
• Kurt Donaldson Park
• Lehigh Acres Trailhead Park
• Nalle Grade Park
• North Fort Myers Park
• Manatee Park
• Mary Moody Park
• Miramar Park
• Olga Park
• Royal Palm Park
• Rutenberg Park
• Schandler Hall Park
• Shores Nature Trail Park
• Veterans Park
• Wa-Ke Hatchee Park
• Waterway Park

Paddlecraft Launches

• Russel Park Paddle Craft Launch
• Telegraph Creek Paddle Craft Launch

Upcoming reopenings:

• Monday, Oct. 14:
  
  • Lehigh Acres Senior Center
  • Karl J. Drews Community Center
• Tuesday, Oct. 15:
  
  • Lehigh Acres Community Pool
  • North Fort Myers Community Pool
  • San Carlos Park Community Pool

Due to heavy impacts to Lee County’s coastal areas, the following sites remain closed:

• Beach sites: All county beach park locations throughout Lee Couty Parks & Recreation remain closed.
• Boca Grande: All county facilities in Boca Grande remain closed.
• Pine Island: All county parks and boat ramps in the Matlacha-Pine Island area are closed.

Saturday | 10:57 a.m. | Lee County debris drop off locations

The following debris drop off locations will open to residents on Monday:

• 5031 Pine Island Road, Bokeelia, FL 33922
• 50 South Road, Fort Myers, FL 33907
• 18078 Cypress Point Road, San Carlos Park, FL 33967
• 13801 Orange River Blvd., Buckingham, FL 33905

 Trash pick up will resume on Monday.

Friday | 6:31 p.m. | Charlotte County talks about reopening schools

We are currently assessing the damage caused by Hurricane Milton and determining when it will be safe for our schools to reopen. We understand that this uncertainty may be concerning, and we want to assure you that we are working diligently to gather information and make informed decisions.

Today, our dedicated staff have been working tirelessly to inspect our schools and assess the damage caused by Hurricane Milton and this will continue throughout the weekend. Currently, we’re addressing downed fences,power outages, and cleaning up our shelter location and other debris to ensure our campuses are safe for our return.

The safety and well-being of our school families are our top priority, and we will share updates as soon as we have more information. Please remember that mental health services are available at each school campus. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to school as soon as it is safe to do so.

Friday | 5:50 p.m. | LCEC: when power could return to SWFL areas this weekend

LCEC currently has 178,034 of the 251,415 customers with power. LCEC understands the immense challenges our customers are facing and remains fully committed to restoring the system as quick and safely as possible. LCEC is working around the clock, with the support of over 1,300 line workers from electric cooperatives, and an army of contractors, vendors, suppliers, and hundreds of support personnel.

Following are LCEC estimated times of restoration, it is possible power will be restored sooner to the locations able to receive power.

• Charlotte-Saturday, October 12, 2024 11:59 PM
• Collier-Saturday, October 12, 2024 11:59 PM
• Hendry- Saturday, October 12, 2024 11:59 PM
• Lee-Sunday, October 13, 2024 11:59 PM

Be Safe! Exercise caution when using generators, as improper usage can lead to dangerous situations. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. Additionally, while cleaning up around your property, be mindful of downed power lines, debris, and unstable structures.

Click to hear what LCEC's Incident Commander told only FOX 4's Senior Reporter Kaitlin Knapp about the efforts to get the lights back on.

Friday | 5:30 p.m. | Lee County schools to make decision on reopening by Saturday evening
The Lee County School District has announced it will make a decision on when and how the district will resume operations by Saturday at 5 p.m.

The district says each school must meet the following criteria to reopen:

1. Reliable power: A school must have consistent electricity to operate the entire campus.
2. Potable water: A school must have a safe supply of drinking water.
3. Professional assessment:  A building professional must assess the school buildings and determine them safe to occupy. Any safety concerns must be mitigated or resolved.
4. Secure from Leaks:  School windows and roofs must be able to prevent a severe intrusion of water.
5. Working A/C: A school must have an assessed and operating HVAC system.
6. Functioning fire alarm and intercom: A school must be able to activate its fire alarm and school intercom in case of an emergency.
7. Indoor air quality (IAQ): Every school will be assessed to determine if they meet the criteria that would require an IAQ test such as leaks, water penetration, etc. 
8. Debris and hazard clean-up: A school must have storm debris either removed or stored in a safe and secure location.
9. Ability to serve food: A school must be able to provide students with meals.
   

Friday | 3 p.m. | City of Sanibel update
Sanibel leaders provided an update on Milton response.

Friday | 2 p.m. | Supplies and support resources

Click here to see our ongoing list of points of distribution and other resources.

Friday | 1:15 p.m. | Gov. DeSantis update
Governor Ron DeSantis provided an update on Milton response.

Friday | 12:30 p.m. | Lee County update
Lee County leaders gave an update on Milton response.

Friday | 11:30 a.m. | Sanibel Lighthouse update
LCEC's aerial assessments this morning showed the Sanibel Island Light still standing.

Friday | 10:30 a.m. | Bonita Beach curfew
Bonita Springs has enacted a curfew for all of Bonita Beach, including Little Hickory Island and Big Hickory Island, until further notice. The curfew applies to vehicle and foot traffic from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily. Residents can still access their homes.

Friday | 9:50 a.m. | Water safe to drink on Marco Island

The Marco Island Police Department reports all water is safe to drink on the island except for one small area along S. Heathwood Drive — near the water department — that is under a boil water notice.

Friday | 9:45 a.m. | City of Fort Myers opens post-storm response hubs

The city of Fort Myers is opening post-storm response hubs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.

"City employees and volunteers will be available to advise of open facilities and offer information on resources available, such as FEMA Individual Assistance," according to the city's website. "... Water will also be available. Together, we are Fort Myers Strong."

Residents can find the hubs at:

• Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd.
• Stars Complex, 2980 Edison Ave.
• Saint Hilary’s Church, 5011 McGregor Blvd.
• Apostolic Revival Center, 2100 Barden St.
• Jesus Christ Outreach Center, 4050 Ballard Road
• Winn Dixie Plaza, 10580 Colonial Blvd.

Friday | 9:30 a.m. | Contractors allowed access to Sanibel

Starting at noon on Friday, contractors will be able to obtain a 2024 re-entry pass from the city of Sanibel.

Passes are available at the city's temporary operations center at Hilton Garden Inn, 16410 Corporate Commerce Way, Fort Myers, Florida, 33913.

To obtain a pass, contractors must provide a government-issued photo ID, proof of business entity, and an existing contract or job order with a Sanibel address, per the city.

Friday | 8:55 a.m. | Charlotte County reports no casualties

After door-to-door searches of all the barrier islands, Englewood Beach, Boca Grande and other low-lying areas, the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office said no casualties were discovered.

While there was substantial damage, the sheriff's office said, "Things can be replaced. People can't."

Friday | 8:45 a.m. | Access to Captiva Island

Blind Pass Bridge is open, according to the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

Drivers are urged to use caution as DOT workers are actively using heavy equipment in the area.

Upon re-entry, residents of Sanibel must provide a valid pass from the city or a valid ID and proof of property ownership.

Friday | 8:30 a.m. | Sand removal in progress in Fort Myers Beach

A Bobcat at Times Square in Fort Myers Beach looked snowplow-like as it began removing sand Friday morning to help restore the beach.

Friday | 8:10 a.m. | Cleanup continues in North Fort Myers

Fox 4 reporter Austin Schargorodski spoke with a North Fort Myers resident who was getting an early start Friday on cleaning up debris in the Lake Fairways neighborhood.

"When we came back, it's total shock," Bob said. "Right now, it's trying just to get everything clear so that we can have a path to get in to get started on repairs."

Friday | 7:45 a.m. | Staying safe upon re-entry

As residents prepare for re-entry at Fort Myers Beach, Fox 4 senior reporter Ryan Kruger says residents should beware of their surroundings.

He said some giant sand piles appear to be double, possibly triple, his height.

Friday | 7:30 a.m. | Damage in North Fort Myers

Fox 4's Miyoshi Price provided a live look Friday morning at damage in North Fort Myers along Meadowbrook Court near Lake Fairways Country Club.

Price spoke with a resident who said he was shaken up by the tornado that left multiple homes in fragments.

Friday | 6:55 a.m. | Southwest Florida International Airport open

Southwest Florida International Airport is open, RSW posted Friday morning.

Flights will resume at 9 a.m.

Friday | 6:15 a.m. | Fort Myers Beach hurricane re-entry passes

Hurricane re-entry passes to the town of Fort Myers Beach are available for pickup Friday in the Target parking lot off of San Carlos Boulevard.

Weather permitting, staff will be on-site from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Friday | 4:55 a.m. | Sarasota County to resume garbage, yard waste collection

Regularly scheduled garbage and yard waste collection will resume Friday, Oct. 11, in unincorporated Sarasota County. Recycling collection is suspended until further notice.

Residents are reminded to double-bag spoiled food and place the garbage away from storm debris so it is "easily identifiable and accessible for collection," per the county.

Large branches and palm fronds are to be placed separately from yard waste collection while small branches and leaves are eligible for curbside pickup. More details can be found here.

Additionally, the Central County Landfill will reopen Friday. Anyone unloading items by hand must arrive 30 minutes before closing.

The Bee Ridge Chemical Collection Center remains closed through Sunday, Oct. 13.

Updates on debris collection will be posted by Sarasota County at @SRQCountyGov. Residents can also call 311 or 941-861-5000.

Friday | 1:50 a.m. | Scam alert

Counties throughout Florida are warning about scammers trying to take advantage of Hurricane Milton. See the post below for more information:

Thursday | 10:40 p.m. | Generator Safety

As power outages continue to be an issue, the National Weaher Service is giving tips on the use of generators.

Thursday | 10:15 p.m. |Latest on power outages across Florida

Thursday | 8:30 p.m. |Harry Chapin Food Bank opens mobile distribution centers
The distribution centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday at the following locations:

• Salvation Army Naples, 472 Airport-Pulling Road S. in Naples 
• Ocean Church, 2016 Kismet Pkwy E. in Cape Coral.

The distribution centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday at the following locations:

• Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal Church, 151 NE Pine Island Road in Cape Coral
• Word of Life Church, 6111 South Pointe Blvd. in Fort Myers.
  

Thursday | 7:00 p.m. |Charlotte County closes three shelters

Remains Open

• Babcock Ranch School Field House - 43281 Cypress Parkway, Punta Gorda

Now Closed

• Kingsway Elementary School
• Babcock Neighborhood Schools
• Harold Avenue Regional Park Recreation Center

Thursday | 6:30 p.m. |Lakeport recovering after tornado spawned from Hurricane Milton

Thursday | 6:00 p.m. |Holmes Beach without power, water or sewer

Thursday | 5:50 p.m. |Charlotte County resuming residential curbside pickup Friday

The Mid-County Mini-Transfer and Recycling Facility and the West Charlotte Mini-Transfer and Recycling Facility will reopen on Friday, Oct. 11 with an extended schedule 9 a.m. to gates closing at 4:45 p.m. The facilities are open Monday through Saturday.
The Charlotte County Landfill will resume normal operating hours 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Friday and 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Saturday.

Thursday | 5:25 p.m. |Charlotte County to open two sand drop-off sites

• Englewood Beach at Chadwick Park - 2100 N. Beach Road, Englewood, FL
• Don Pedro Knight Islands - 1 N. Gulf Blvd.
• Open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
• For flood-deposited sand left by Hurricane Milton
• Homeowners and contractors can drop off the sand for free

Thursday | 4:00 p.m. |City of Fort Myers suspending trash pickup until Monday October 14th

Thursday | 3:40 p.m. |Report storm damage online in Charlotte County

Thursday | 3:15 p.m. | North Port working to lower water levels, assess critical infrastructure and facilities

Thursday | 3 p.m. | Collier County resuming waste collection tomorrow
Collier County has announced garbage and recycling pickup will resume on Friday.

Thursday | 2 p.m. | South Gulf Cove lock is inoperable
Charlotte County Emergency Management reports the South Gulf Cove lock is inoperable until further notice. The lock, which allows Charlotte County to manage water levels in the area, has been impacted by a power outage.

Thursday | 1 p.m. | LeeTran providing fare-free service from emergency shelters
Starting at 1 p.m., LeeTran is performing fare-free fixed-route evacuation assistance and emergency-related transportation.

Thursday | 12 p.m. | Gov. DeSantis gives update on Milton response

Governor DeSantis gave an update on Hurricane Milton. Watch in the player below.

Thursday | 11:15 a.m. | Fort Myers Beach water usage
Lee County has restored water to Fort Myers Beach, but the Island is under a boil water notice. Two days of safe water samples are required before lifting the boil water notice.

Thursday | 10:45 a.m. | Charlotte County water usage
Following the announcement from Collier County, leaders in Charlotte County are also asking residents to limit water usage.

Due to power outages, low pressure sewer pumps will not function. Several wastewater lift stations in the county are experiencing power outages.

There are no boil water notices in effect for the county. Water systems are working, but residents are asked to limit use.

Update | 9:26 a.m. | Collier County asks customers to reduce water usage

The Collier County Government is asking customers to reduce the usage of water in their homes.

Officials said that the county's wastewater system has been impacted by ongoing power outages.

Customers are asked to cut back on toilet flushing and to wait to run dishwashers and washing machines.

Update 9:16 a.m. | Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, other officials provide update on aftermath of Milton

Update 9:10 am. | Southwest Florida International Airport provides update on operations

The Southwest Florida International Airport said it's working with airlines, federal agencies, concessions and parking and others to determine when operations will begin on Friday.

The airport said it will notify people as soon it's able to.

"Please be patient as everyone at RSW works to get you back in the air," the airport said in a social media post.

Update 9:05 a.m. | The Mucky Duck heavily damaged during Hurricane Milton

Popular Mucky Duck was heavily damaged during Hurricane Milton, according to a Facebook post.

The restaurant posted photos of the destruction on Thursday morning.

Update 8:10 a.m. | Power outage updates

The Lee County Electric Coop is reporting nearly 144,000 of its customers are without power.

For an outage map, visit this link.

Update 8:01 a.m.| Lee County deputies assist residents in Bonita Beach

Deputies with the Lee County Sheriff's Office are assisting residents in Bonita Beach.

Currently, only foot traffic is allowed on Hickory Island.

Update 7:53 a.m. | WFTX's Kaitlin Knapp was live in Gilchrist Park where she spotted damaged vehicles and boats.

Update 7:28 a.m. | Charlotte County Emergency Management urges residents to stay off roads

The Charlotte County Emergency Management asked residents to stay off the roads.

The agency said downed power lines, storm debris, loss of stop signs and traffic signals all add to post-storm dangers.

"Emergency crews are assessing damage and clearing safe routes," the agency said in a Facebook post. "Avoid travel to prevent accidents and allow crews to work quickly."

Update 7:13 a.m. | WFTX's Kaitlin Knapp provided an update on damage left by Hurricane Milton in Charlotte County.

Update 6:44 a.m. | City of Marco Island lifts curfew at 6 a.m. on Thursday.

The city of Marco Island provided lifted its curfew at 6 a.m. and mandatory evacuation.

Some roads are passable, though 68% of the island has now power.

In addition, there are still some side streets without power.

Residents are urged to drive with caution.

Update 6:30 a.m. | Collier County Sheriff's Office provides update on assessment

The Collier County Sheriff's Office provided an update on assessments after Hurricane Milton swept through Southwest Florida.

Just before 6:30 a.m., the sheriff's office said there have been no reports of serious injuries; about 30% of the county is without power, as are many intersections.

The sheriff's office asked residents to stay off the roads for at least a few hours after daylight.

Update 6:20 a.m. | WFTX's Miyoshi Price is in downtown Fort Myers with a look at damage.

She spotted debris on sidewalks and the roads.

Crews are out assessing damage.

Update 6:01 a.m. | Lee County Sheriff's County provides update on roadway hazards

The list of roadway hazards is increasing, according to the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

Below is the list of some outages reported by the sheriff's office.

Update 5:30 a.m. | Thousands without power

Thousands of people are without power after Hurricane Milton swept through Southwest Florida last night.

Lee County Electric Cooperative reports nearly 140,000 of its customers are without power.

Update 5:20 a.m. | Storm damage from Hurricane Milton

WFTX's Alex Orenczuk provided an update on storm damage he's seeing in Charlotte County.

Update 5:00 a.m. | Lee County Sheriff's Office provides update on roadway hazards

The Lee County Sheriff's Office posted on update on some roadway hazards.

For a full list as of 5 a.m., see the post below:

Update 4:40 a.m. | North Port Fire Rescue says crews are assessing communities

North Port Fire Rescue said winds are back to safe levels for first responders and the city's tactical first-in teams (TFITs) are out assessing the community.

The agency said many people are have lost power, some streetlights are out, but main arterial roads in the city are clear.

Residential and side streets have not been fully assessed.

"PLEASE do not leave to check out what's going on. At the very least, wait until the sun rises," North Port Fire Rescue said in a Facebook post. "Just because the winds have died down does not mean walking outside or driving is safe. Down powerlines, nails, debris and ponding in roads could cause serious problems for you or your car. Please don’t leave where you currently are — STAY PUT and stay safe! This not only protects you and your family but also the first responders who are on the roads.

Update 4:25 a.m. | Charlotte County emergency services resume

Emergency services for Charlotte County have resumed. This includes the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office road patrol and Charlotte County Fire & EMS.

Update 4:17 a.m. | Access to Fort Myers Beach is limited to Emergency Personnel and Town Staff

Access to Fort Myers Beach is limited to emergency personnel and town staff.

The town of Fort Myers Beach said in a social post Pine Ridge Road is currently impassable.

No residents or contractors will be allowed on island until an all clear is given.

Update 3:45 a.m. | Milton storm surge heights

Hurricane Milton storm surge heights are reducing in various locations in Southwest Florida, with significant improvements in Fort Myers, North Naples Bay, and Bonita Springs. Downtown Fort Myers has seen a peak of 5.25 feet reduced to 4.4 feet.

Update 1:58 a.m. | Video shows Fisherman's Village flooding

Update 1:58 a.m. | Cape Coral emergency services resume

Emergency services in the city of Cape Coral have resumed as winds subsided to below 45 mph, according to the Cape Coral Fire Department. First responders will respond to queued 911 calls in order of priority.

Update 1:21 a.m. |Milton weakens to Category 1 storm

Hurricane Milton has been downgraded to a Category 1 storm as it weakens following a powerful landfall that brought sustained winds of about 100 mph and 116 tornado warnings across Florida. The storm is expected to continue to move eastward and enter the Atlantic Ocean late Thursday.

Update 1:00 a.m. | Street lights are out across Cape Coral as Hurricane Milton rips through Florida

Update 12:58 a.m. | Reporter Forrest Saunders is in North Port with winds ripping through the area

Update 12:56 a.m. | LCEC provides an update on power outages across Southwest Florida

More than 378,000 customers in Southwest Florida are without power as Milton cuts a path through the area. Over 2 million customers statewide are experiencing outages. LCEC public relations director Karen Ryan provides an update with Fox 4.

The flares on the transformers are defense mechanisms, which will allow them to pinpoint the issue and fix it faster, according to LCEC public relations director Karen Ryan.

Update 12:26 a.m. | Storm surge flooding in downtown Fort Myers

More than five feet of storm surge flooded parts of downtown Fort Myers. Levels are expected to begin to recede early Thursday morning.

Update 12:11 a.m. | FMB flooding subsides

Flooding in Fort Myers Beach is subsiding as Milton moves across Florida.

Update 11:40pm | Roof Blows Off Tropicana Field

Hurricane Milton's winds ripped off the roof of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg Wednesday evening. Tropicana Field was a staging area for hundreds of Florida National Guardsmen and electrical workers before the storm.

Update 11:37pm Transformers Blow As Milton Nears

Sparks flew as transformers blow in Cape Corral.

Update: 11:33pm North Port Wind Forrest Saunders

Update: 10:41 P.M. | Welfare checks

If you need to check in on how your family and friends are doing after Hurricane Milton passes, Lee County and local fire rescue departments have partnered to provide welfare checks.

People need only to email WelfareStormChecks@leegov.com with the following information about the people they wish to check on:

• Name
• Adress
• Phone number

The requests will be will be directed to the local fire rescue departments. Residents are asked to be patient as requests may be significant.
Update: 10:10 P.M.
The non-emergency phone lines at the Punta Gorda Police Department are temporarily unavailable. Call 941-833-4181 until further notice.

Update: 9:58 P.M.
Lee County Sheriff's Office update on storm surge in area from Hurricane Milton.

Update: 9:20 P.M.
Our Ella Rhoades gives an update on transformer trouble in Cape Coral.

Update: 9:01 P.M.
We're seeing multiple power flashes as neighbors in Marco Island, North Fort Myers, Pine Island, and Sanibel/Captiva report power outages from Hurricane Milton - find the updated numbers here

Update: 8:36 P.M.
Hurricane Milton has made landfall near Siesta Key in Sarasota County.

Update: 8:30 P.M.

Fox 4 News

Update: 8:10 P.M.
Shelters in Charlotte County no longer accepting evacuees due to hazardous conditions.

Update: 7:30 P.M.
Gov. Desantis and state officials give an update as Hurricane Milton approaches landfall.

Update: 7:13 P.M
As of 7 p.m., the City of Cape Coral’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has suspended all emergency services across the city due to sustained wind speeds reaching 45 mph or higher. This precaution is necessary to ensure the safety of police, fire, and medical personnel, who will shelter in place until conditions are safe to resume operations.
Although emergency services are temporarily suspended, 9-1-1 calls will still be logged, and a prioritization system is in place. Emergency personnel will respond as soon as conditions allow.

Update: 7:05 P.M.

Fox 4 Now

Wednesday 6:50 P.M.
Update from LeeAnn's Paradise Vacation Rentals in Fort Myers Beach as the storm surge from Hurricane Milton continues to move inland.

Wednesday 6:30 P.M.
Our Ella Rhoades gives an update as Charlotte Co. Emergency Services are suspended due to the hazardous conditions from Hurricane Milton.

Law enforcement, Fire and Emergency Medical Services in Charlotte County have suspended emergency response to calls for service due to hazardous weather conditions. Services will resume as conditions permit.
For Hurricane Milton information, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000.

Wednesday 6:25 P.M.
Florida Divison of Emergency Management on where to shelter from severe winds during Hurricane Milton.

Wednesday 6:00 P.M.
If your house starts to flood North Collier Fire Rescue offers some tips to help prevent electrical injuries

Wednesday 5:54 P.M.
Naples Police department reporting that water is starting to come over the beach.

Wednesday 5:20 p.m.

Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno gives an update on roadway hazards.

Wednesday 5:15 p.m.
Lee County asking the community to shelter in place,

Wednesday 5:00 p.m.
Sarasota County Government gives a 5 P.M. update ahead of Hurricane Milton.

Wednesday 4:35 p.m.

Fox 4's Katie Walls gives an update on Hurricane Milton's forecast.

Fox 4's Ryan Krueger is in Fort Myers Beach where Estero Boulevard is already seeing water on over the road.

Glades County Emergency Management is still surveying but is reporting 29 Homes Destroyed, 1 Injury with the second Lakeport Tornado.

Wednesday 4 p.m.
Update from the City of Cape Coral - they have an online welfare check form to check on loved ones after the storm.

Our Ella Rhoades in El Jobean as Hurricane Milton approaches.

Wednesday 3 p.m.
Update: The NWS has at least 11 confirmed tornadoes across South Florida today.

Florida Light and Power gives an update as they prepare for Hurricane Milton.

Our Veronica Acosta with a live look as Southwest Florida braces for Hurricane Milton to make landfall.

The NWS confirms at least seven tornadoes have hit the area today.

Wednesday, 3 p.m.

The City of North Port are asking people who live in the Lady Slipper/Oaks Park area near Myakkahatchee Creek to evacuate.

We're hearing from neighbors in North Fort Myers who are dealing with tornado damage. Community correspondent Miyoshi Price spoke to a woman whose home was damaged by a tree branch in today's tornado.

Community correspondent Austin Schargorodsky spoke to a man who experienced the North Fort Myers tornado.

Wednesday, 2:25 p.m.

There are now 15,988 customers without power in Lee County.

Cape Coral city leaders provided a brief update on their preparations.

Wednesday 2 p.m.
The NWS reports Milton's storm surge is beginning to arrive along the coast.

Wednesday 1:30 p.m.
Governor Ron DeSantis provided an update on Hurricane Milton preparation.

Wednesday 12:50 p.m.
Lee County Sheriff's Office shared this image of the aftermath of the tornado that swept over Matlacha Bridge.

Charlotte County has a curfew in effect from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. starting tonight and until further notice. The curfew also includes a ban on the sale of alcohol.

Wednesday 12:30 p.m.
Meteorologist Trent Aric was live on air as a funnel cloud swept over the Matlacha Bridge.

The National Weather Service in Miami now confirms at least four tornadoes in the area so far today.

Wednesday 11:30 a.m.
The National Weather Service's Miami office shared the below image of a massive tornado near SR80.

Wednesday 11 a.m.
Florida Highway Patrol has announced it is no longer allowing emergency shoulder use on I-75 Eastbound due to lightened traffic. Anyone still evacuating is asked to use normal lanes.

The state had allowed drivers to use the shoulder of the highway beginning yesterday between the 101-mile marker and the 25-mile marker to ease heavy traffic during evacuation.

Wednesday 10:30 a.m.
A tornado has been spotted off I-75 near the Broward County and Collier County line.

The funnel cloud was picked up by Florida Department of Transportation cameras.

Wednesday 10:15 a.m.
The City of Sanibel is providing an update on Hurricane Milton preparations. Watch here:

Wednesday, 9:30 a.m.
Governor Ron DeSantis is scheduled to give an update on the state response to Hurricane Milton at 9:30 a.m. You can watch it here:

Wednesday, 9 a.m.
The Naples Police Department has implemented a mandatory driving curfew starting at 4 p.m. today. After 4 p.m., only essential personnel with credentials should be on the roads.

Watch the latest forecast below.

Wednesday, 6:55 a.m.
Fox 4 Senior Reporter Kaitlin Knapp is riding with Charlotte County Community Correspondent, Alex Orenczuk, in Storm Fox 4.0 in Manasota Key. There's still debris on the side of the road from Hurricane Helene, and they report that some side streets are already starting to flood. Evacuation orders are in place, but they have seen people driving around. Here's video from inside Storm Fox 4.0 just before 7 a.m.

Wednesday, 6:40 a.m.
Fox 4's Miyoshi Price shows you what downtown Fort Myers business owners have have done to protect their businesses from Hurricane Milton. Watch her live report here:

Wednesday, 6:15 a.m.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office says some roads in Fort Myers Beach already have 10" of water over them. They are:

• First St between Crescent St & Old San Carlos Blvd
• Second St between Crescent St & Old San Carlos Blvd.
• Third St between Crescent St & Old San Carlos Blvd

Tuesday, 11 p.m.

The Florida Department of Transportation implemented Emergency Shoulder Use for drivers traveling on I-75 Alligator Alley Southbound from State Road 29 to the Everglades Toll Plaza to assist in evacuations.

Tuesday, 8 p.m.

The U.S. National Weather Service issued its 8 p.m. update.

Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.

Charlotte County Utilities will be lowering water pressure in the Port Charlotte Service Area starting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9.

The pressure will remain lower until the storm passes, according to county officials.

Residents are asked to limit water usage until further notice to reduce strain on the sewer system. This is because storm surges and heavy rainfall will inundate the sewer system, making it difficult for wastewater to flow properly.

Tuesday, 7 p.m.

The Sarasota Police Department announced access to Bird, St. Armands, Lido, and Siesta Keys is officially closed.

Tuesday, 6:45 p.m.

Over 4,610 people and close to 700 pets are sheltered in Sarasota County evacuation centers, according to a representative for Sarasota County.

That number includes around 3,900 community members, county employees and Sarasota County School personnel.

All evacuation centers in the county reported having space for more community members.

However, county officials offered this warning:

Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.

There is no parking left at Florida SouthWestern State College, according to Assistant City Manager Marco Island.

Tuesday, 6:15 p.m.

Charlotte County Emergency Management issued an evacuation order for residents in Yellow Zone-C.

Those in Red Zone-A and Orange Zone-B are already ordered to evacuate.

The evacuation also includes residents in any zone living in mobile and manufactured homes. Charlotte County Emergency Management urges residents to leave now, do not wait.

If you need to evacuate but don't have a ride, Charlotte County Emergency Management is offering free rides.

Don't let a lack of transportation keep you from evacuating to a shelter ‼ Charlotte County Transit is offering free rides to the two shelters now open. To arrange a ride, call 941-833-4000. The service is operating 24 hours a day until the storm arrives. pic.twitter.com/oBgUPvcGp1

— Charlotte County Emergency Management (@CCOEM) October 8, 2024

Tuesday, 6 p.m.

Twenty-eight counties are now under a hurricane warning.

🚨 10/8: 28 counties are under a hurricane warning for Hurricane #Milton, meaning, hurricane conditions are expected in these areas within 36hrs.Finalize your disaster plans, charge all of your devices & continue to heed all orders from local officials! pic.twitter.com/B5BoJvRH0E

— FL Division of Emergency Management (@FLSERT) October 8, 2024

Tuesday, 5:15 p.m.

Charlotte County update

Once Hurricane Milton passes, Charlotte County will deploy Info Hubs at some county libraries and recreation centers.

The hubs will have printed flyers of updated information on recovery efforts, relief programs, and resources available to assist residents and businesses impacted.

The Info Hubs' locations will be based on the library or recreation center's accessibility.

Locations will be posted here.

Fox4 will also keep you updated on their locations after roads are cleared and all Charlotte County facilities have been assessed for damage.

The info hubs look like white newspaper stands and are clearly marked Info Hubs.

North Port update

The Department of Public Works is lowering water levels in North Port ahead of Hurricane Milton. Currently, over one million gallons are being moved out of the city every four minutes.

The Department of Public Works has been working to lower levels in advance of #HurricaneMilton. We're currently moving over 1 million gallons every 4 minutes out of the city. Learn more our stormwater management system at ➡️ https://t.co/XmRz97sKWN.#CommunityOfUnity pic.twitter.com/MqDD7ehGYx

— North Port, Florida (@CityofNorthPort) October 8, 2024

Lee County Government update

Shelters: The county’s open hurricane evacuation shelters continue to have capacity for more evacuees. Some shelters are more crowded than others.

For example, Estero Recreation Center is at 75% capacity, but nearby Hertz Arena has 4,800 spaces available.

Get full shelter information here.

Public transportation: LeeTran fixed route and shuttle transportation assistance will be suspended by 6:30 p.m. today.

Visit LeeTran’s social media channels for specific route information. Announcements for resuming services will be forthcoming.

Tuesday, 4:45 p.m.

Finding gas in North Port is becoming more difficult. However, the state says it's working to expedite refuels.

In Gov. Ron DeSantis' latest update, he said at least 43 fuel trucks were given police escort to get to stations as soon as possible. He said more than 1.2 million gallons of gas and diesel are arriving today.

He also said the state has 268,000 gallons of diesel and 110,000 gallons of gasoline on standby.

Unfortunately, some stations are already wrapping pumps in plastic until Milton passes.

Others are already on cash only and set to close soon.

Update from Collier County

Collier County Public Schools announces school will be closed through Friday, Oct. 11. As of Tuesday, class will resume on Monday, Oct. 14.

Collier County Public Schools will extend school and District office closures through Friday (10/11) in order to ensure facilities are safe and routes to schools are clear after Hurricane Milton. We encourage you to continue monitoring your email, our District website… pic.twitter.com/BNRmjD7yOC

— Collier County Public Schools (@collierschools) October 8, 2024

Tuesday, 3:15 p.m.

State leaders provided an update on Hurricane Milton.

Tuesday, 2:30 p.m.

Sanibel Mayor Richard Johnson has mandated that everyone— including residents, tourists and others— evacuate the islandbefore 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Watch the video below to see how neighbors are preparing.

Check the following for more evacuation information in your county: