City of Bonita Springs

The City of Bonita Springs continues to monitor the effects of Hurricane Milton. Bonita Springs residents who live near the Imperial River  are encouraged to continue to monitor the water levels. The Imperial River is now at 11.32. To monitor water levels please visit.

Milton is a powerful Category 4 Major Hurricane. Residents need to be aware that the forecast from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and Florida Division of Emergency Management includes:

• • Sustained tropical storm force winds are coming ashore now.

  • Sustained tropical storm-force winds, and sustained hurricane force winds at the peak of our impacts.

  • Since last night, the NHC has held our storm surge forecast at 8 to 12 feet.

Everyone needs to be at their shelter-in-place location now. The storm impacts will reach far beyond the cone. It is not safe to be out, or to return to your home if you have evacuated.  As the tropical storm force winds are arriving, the time to shelter in place is now. Do not be on the roads.

A mandatory evacuation order remains in place for Zones A and B in Lee County. The county is monitoring traffic data, reports from municipalities and first responders and is encouraged at the number of people who appear to have evacuated in the last 36 hours. Lee County asks that residents who have evacuated to notify family and friends now of their location in case they lose cellular or internet connectivity.

There are 13 shelters open in Lee County – the full list can be found at www.leegov.com/storm.

The shelters are:

• Alico Arena

• Dunbar High School

• East Lee County High School

• Estero Recreation Center, approaching capacity; please use another shelter, including Hertz Arena off Ben Hill Griffin Parkway.

• Gateway High School

• Harns Marsh Elementary School

• Harns Marsh Middle School

• Hertz Arena

• Island Coast High School

• Oak Hammock Middle School

• Tortuga Preserve Elementary School

• Treeline Elementary School

• Varsity Lakes Middle School

• Special medical needs shelter, operated with the Florida Department of Health

• Estero Recreation Center, one of the first shelters to open, is approaching capacity. Please use another shelter, including Hertz Arena off Ben Hill Griffin Parkway.

Shelters offer basic life-sustaining necessities, such as protection from the weather; water and basic food; and sanitary services. All shelters are pet friendly. Pets need to be on a leash or in a crate. Owners are responsible for feeding, exercising and cleaning up after their pets.

City updates:

• Preparations are being made for damage assessment and immediate recovery actions with our teams and stakeholders.

• City Staff completed going door to door in areas near the Imperial River and handed out flyers in both English and Spanish urging residents to monitor water levels and heed evacuation orders. 

• City Staff completed cleaning storm drains and prepared city facilities prior to Hurricane Milton.

• City office closure has been extended through Friday.

• City Communications continue through the storm. To receive city information please visit the City of Bonita Springs Website and follow the City of Bonita Springs on Facebook.

• The city has also created a webpage for Hurricane Milton.  Storm-specific information will posted here.  

• Residents are encouraged to download the city’s free mobile app. 

Once the storm passes, residents are urged to stay off the roads.  There will be flooding on roadways. It will take the infrastructure time to drain. Please stay off the roadways to allow cleanup crews time to clear the roadways and assess the damage. As soon as its safe, city staff will begin the first push to clear debris.  

In conjunction with mandatory evacuation of Zone A, and to aid in protection of potable water supply Bonita Springs Utilities has reduced pressure of the watermain along Bonita Beach Rd. from Imperial Shores Blvd. West to include Little Hickory Island, Big Hickory Island, and Black Island. Boil water notices are in affect for this area.  

• Reminders from the County:

  • First responders will be prevented from responding as sustained windspeeds increase. Law enforcement, fire, and EMS representatives in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will coordinate on a plan to halt emergency responses until the weather conditions improve.

    • When fire or EMS calls are queued, 911 callers are re-contacted by phone to continue to assess their situation throughout the storm.

    • Hospitals may also lock down, preventing access for transporting ambulances

Lee County will not physically close bridges. Law enforcement may be staged as a precaution to warn travelers of flooded roads or other hazards. No one should be on the roads when winds reach 40 mph. 

If you require additional assistance, you can call the Emergency Information Hotline at 211, or 239 433-3900. 

Please be aware of permit requirements for repairs after storms.  It is very important for residents who may experience wind damage or water intrusion in their homes to understand that permits are required for repairs in the Special Flood Hazard area. Please contact the Bonita Springs Community Development at 239-444-6150 for assistance with permit requirements and resources. Bonita Springs residents with water intrusion in their homes post-storm may send an email to[email protected]. For additional information, please visit the community development website.