GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS ISSUES UPDATES ON STATE RESPONSE AND RECOVERY EFFORTS FOR HURRICANE MILTON
TALLAHASSEE, FL – October 11, 2024 – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Executive Director Kevin Guthrie and Major General John D. Haas Adjutant General of Florida in Bradenton Beach and Manasota Key to provide updates on immediate response efforts for Hurricane Milton.
As of this afternoon, approximately 2,281,626 million Floridians are without power. The State of Florida has restored 1,789,487 accounts.
The State Assistance Information Line is now open and accepting calls 24/7 with English, Spanish and Haitian-Creole speakers available at 1-800-342-3557.
Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-215, amending EO 24-214 and declaring a state of emergency for 51 counties.
To learn more about navigating hurricane season, residents can visit FloridaDisaster.org/Guide. For updates on county resources available visit FloridaDisaster.org/Counties for a list of all 67 county emergency management contacts. Read more here
YMCA OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA OPENS ITS BRANCHES AS COMMUNITY HUBS FOLLOWING HURRICANE MILTON
VENICE, FL – October 11, 2024 – In the wake of Hurricane Milton, the YMCA of Southwest Florida is stepping up to support our community during this difficult time. YMCA of Southwest Florida announces that most of its branches are now open as Community Hubs, providing essential services and a welcoming space for those affected by the storm. Read more here
HURRICANE MILTON CAUSED DESTRUCTIVE STORM SURGES IN COASTAL AREAS OF BONITA SPRINGS, ALONG WITH TORNADOES AND WIND DAMAGE THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. CITY STAFF HAVE BEEN WORKING TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE.
Operational Hours and Facility Closure: Bonita Springs City Hall will open Monday October 14th for normal business hours 8am-5pm. Staff continues to assess hurricane damage at city parks and facilities. Clean up has been completed at the Bonita Springs Dog Park and Bonita Springs Skate Park. They will be open tomorrow Saturday, October 12th.
Click here for more information about city parks. Essential Staff continue to work throughout post-storm efforts.
Permitting: Community Development Offices will reopen for normal business hours on Monday, October 14. The City will be waiving permit fees for hurricane Milton restoration. Bonita Springs Community Development asks that any Bonita Springs residents with water intrusion in their homes post-storm send an email to
[email protected] or call 239-444-6150 for assistance with permit requirements and resources. For additional information regarding flooding, please visit the
community development website. To find out flood zone information please
click here. Follow the City of Bonita Springs on
Facebook.
Bonita Springs Utilities has rescinded the Precautionary Boil Water Notice
Power and Light: Florida Power and Light (FPL) is working to restore power throughout Lee County. FPL asks that the public stay far away from flooded areas and downed power lines. If you see a downed power line, call FPL at 1-800-468-8243 or 911 if it is an emergency. Please report outages on the FPL Mobile App. Download the FPL app by texting the word “App” to MyFPL (69375).
THE CITY OF BONITA SPRINGS HAS INITIATED THE RECOVERY PROCESS FOLLOWING HURRICANE MILTON. DEBRIS
PICKUP IS UNDERWAY
BONITA SPRINGS, FL – October 11th, 2024 – The City of Bonita Springs has initiated
the recovery process following Hurricane Milton. City residents, who can safely do so, are asked to
place any storm-generated debris on the public right-of-way. The public right-of-way is the area of
residential property that extends from the street to the sidewalk, ditch, utility pole or easement. Read more here
THE CITY OF BONITA SPRINGS ENACTS CURFEW FOR BONITA BEACH
BONITA SPRINGS, FL – October 10th, 2024 – The City of Bonita Springs enacts a curfew for the Bonita Beach. Until further notice from the City, all persons in the Bonita Beach area, including Little Hickory Island and Big Hickory Island, are prohibited from being abroad in vehicles or on foot between the hours of 10:00pm and 7:00 am. Residents may still access their homes. Crews began working this morning to clear the roadway. Clean up will take time.
Read more here
THE CITY OF BONITA SPRINGS ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO REMAIN IN PLACE
BONITA SPRINGS, FL – October 10th, 2024 – The City of Bonita Springs along with Lee County
Emergency Management urges residents to remain in place this morning, even though
Hurricane Milton made landfall north of the county Wednesday night. Bonita Springs Staff,
Lee County Sheriff’s office Community Policing Unit and Bonita Springs Fire Control and
Rescue District have begun to assess the damage after the passing Hurricane Milton. Due
to sand on the road, Hickory Blvd is impassible. Read more here
A HURRICANE WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR BONITA SPRINGS
BONITA SPRINGS, FL – October 9th, 2024 – The National Weather Service is anticipating that we will receive hurricane force winds and storm surge in our area from eight to twelve feet. A Storm Surge Warning means life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, is possible today. Please continue to monitor local news stations for updates on the storm. The City, Lee County Emergency Operations Center, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District continue to monitor Hurricane Milton. The City continues to urge residents to monitor levels of Imperial River. Please continue to be vigilant as sheet flow may impact water levels of rivers and canals. Residents can click here to monitor river levels.
LEE COUNTY SHELTERS REMAIN OPEN
BONITA SPRINGS, FL – October 9th, 2024 – The Lee County Emergency Operations
Center issued mandatory evacuations for Zone A and Zone B on Monday. Please visit the
Lee County Emergency Operations webpage to find your evacuation zone or click here.
People who live in mobile homes and manufactured homes are also part of the evacuation
order. All shelters are pet-friendly; pets must be on leashes or in kennels. Lee County has
opened shelters in advance of the approach of Hurricane Milton. Read more here
LEE COUNTY GOVERNMENT UPDATE ON HURRICANE MILTON
FORT MYERS, FL – October 8th, 2024 – Lee County’s daily noon update on Hurricane Milton is available for
viewing on the county’s YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@LeeCountyFLBOCC. You can view it by
clicking here. Read more here
THE CITY OF BONITA SPRINGS URGES RESIDENTS TO FINALIZE HURRICANE AND EVACUATION PLANS.
BONITA SPRINGS, FL – October 8th, 2024 – The National Weather Service has issued a Hurricane Warning
for the City of Bonita Springs. The City issued a State of Local Emergency over the weekend. The
National Weather Service is anticipating that we will receive hurricane force winds and storm surge
in our area from six-ten feet. Read more here
Please visit the Lee County Emergency Operations webpage to find your evacuation zone.
Residents can view the announcements on local media as well as on the county’s Facebook page.
Residents can stay up to date with City information on the
City’s Facebook page and website City of Bonita Springs.
The level of the Imperial River is currently at 10.73ft. To check water levels, click here.
Boil water notices will be posted on the following web page: https://bsu.us/service-alerts/
LEE COUNTY ORDERS MANDATORY EVACUATIONS FOR EVACUATION ZONES A AND B, OPENS SOME SHELTERS
IN ADVANCE OF HURRICANE MILTON
FORT MYERS, FL – October 7th, 2024 – Lee County is issuing mandatory evacuation orders for Evacuation
Zones A and B in advance of Hurricane Milton’s approach, and the county will open some of its
shelters for evacuees who do not have other locations to stay. Read more here
Mandatory evacuation orders and map viewable at www.leegov.com/storm.
A HURRICANE WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR BONITA SPRINGS
BONITA SPRINGS, FL – October 7th, 2024 – A hurricane watch has been issued for Bonita Springs. The
National Weather Service is anticipating that we will receive hurricane force winds and storm surge
in our area from five-ten feet. The city urges you to complete your hurricane preparedness plan. A
Hurricane Watch means hurricane-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the
next 48 hours. A Storm Surge Watch means life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving
inland from the coastline, is possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours. Please
secure all building materials onsite. Please continue to monitor local news stations for updates on
the storm. The City is working with the Lee County Emergency Operations Center, Lee County
Sheriff’s Office, Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District and other partners to prepare. City
staff has been clearing storm drains and securing facilities in preparation of Hurricane Milton. Read more here
THE CITY OF BONITA SPRINGS URGES RESIDENTS TO FINALIZE HURRICANE PLANS
BONITA SPRINGS, FL – October 6th, 2024 – The City of Bonita Springs urges residents to finalize
hurricane plans. Residents can expect Hurricane/Tropical Storm/Storm Surge Watches early
October 7th. Residents should be preparing for the possibility of hurricane force winds. Residents
who live in coastal areas and in flood prone areas should be considering evacuation plans. No need
to wait, if you have plans to evacuate, please do so. Read more here
THE CITY OF BONITA SPRINGS DECLARES A STATE OF LOCAL EMERGENCY FOR HURRICANE
MILTON
BONITA SPRINGS, FL – October 6th, 2024 – The City of Bonita Springs has declared a State
of Local Emergency in response to the anticipated landfall of Hurricane Milton. Hurricane
Milton is forecasted to become a major hurricane. Read more here
CITY OF BONITA SPRINGS DECLARES A STATE OF EMERGENCY HURRICANE MILTON
BONITA SPRINGS, FL – October 6th, 2024 – An emergency resolution of the City of Bonita Springs declaring a state of local emergency in advance of potential impacts from Hurricane Milton; and providing an effective date. Read more here
LEE COUNTY GOVERNMENT EVENING UPDATE ON HURRICANE MILTON
FORT MYERS, FL – October 6th, 2024 – Lee County Emergency Management urges residents to finalize their
hurricane plans. Residents can also call the United Way’s Emergency Information Hotline with questions. Dial 2-1-1 or
239-433-3900. To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter here:
www.leegov.com/resources/newsletters. Read more here
THE CITY OF BONITA SPRINGS ASKS RESIDENTS TO TAKE ACTION TO PREPARE AS TROPICAL ACTIVITY
INCREASES
BONITA SPRINGS, FL – October 6th, 2024 – Governor DeSantis has declared a State of Local
Emergency for Lee County. The City is working closely with our partner agencies, Lee
County Government, Lee County Emergency Management, Florida Division of Emergency
Management, the National Weather Service, and the National Hurricane Center as the
storm moves toward Florida. With heightened tropical activity, we encourage residents to
take steps to prepare for Tropical Storm Milton. Read more here
Preparedness Tips
1. Create a Hurricane Preparedness Plan: Make sure your family knows what to do before,
during, and after a storm.
2. Sign Up for Alerts: Stay informed with emergency notifications through AlertLee, an
emergency notification system that keeps you informed through phone, text, and/or email.
3. Review your Evacuation Zone and Flood Zone. Review the All Hazards Guide.
4. Stay Updated:
• Visit The City of Bonita Springs Website for Strom Preparedness Information
• Visit www.leegov.com and check out our updated storm newsletter for detailed
information.
• Monitor local media outlets, the National Weather Service-Tampa, and the National
Hurricane Center.
• Download the LeePrepares app from Google Play or the App Store.
5. Have a plan:
• Double check your Family Emergency Plan and an Emergency Supply Kit.
• Find tips at www.leegov.com/hurricane.
• Your Family Emergency Plan should include where you would evacuate – like a
family member’s or friend’s home or a community outside the area.
• Your Family Emergency Plan should include a list of steps, such as securing loose
items in your yard and ensuring your shutters are up.
• If you or your family member is in need use of a Special Needs Shelter during a
severe weather event visit the Special Needs Shelter website to learn more about the
program and to register: www.leegov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement/shelters/specialneedsprogram