CHARLOTTE COUNTY (4pm) -- There has been no evacuation order issued for Charlotte County at this time. However, if people have a place to go Charlotte County Emergency Management encourages residents to do so, to avoid road congestion should an evacuation be ordered.
People living on the barrier islands should have plans in place and reminded if the island is ordered to evacuate, Fire and EMS station 10 staff are required to evacuate as well.
-------------------------------------------
SCHOOLS CLOSED (3:45pm) -- So far, the following school closures have been announced:
Collier County public schools: Closed Thursday and Friday
Cape Coral charter schools: Closed Thursday, Friday and Monday
Canterbury School: Closed Thursday, Friday, and Monday
Seacrest Country Day School in Naples: Closed Thursday and Friday
Additional school closings will be posted HERE.
-------------------------------------------
ROAD TOLLS SUSPENDED (3:30pm) -- Governor Rick Scott has directed the Florida Department of Transportation to suspend tolls across the entire State of Florida beginning at 5pm Tuesday in preparation for Hurricane Irma.
**NOTE** -- This declaration does NOT affect Lee County tolls at this time. Lee County government is not suspending its tolls on any of its bridges (Sanibel, Midpoint or Cape Coral) at this time.
By suspending all tolls, Floridians and visitors will more easily be able to prepare for any potential storm impacts, access important hurricane supplies, and quickly and safely evacuate when necessary.
-------------------------------------------
COLLIER COUNTY (3:15pm) -- At a briefing by emergency management officials Tuesday afternoon, it was announced that Collier public schools will be closed Thursday and Friday.
Officials also predict a potential 8-foot storm surge along the coast.
A special county commission meeting will be held at 12pm on Wednesday.
-------------------------------------------
EDISON & FORD WINTER ESTATES (3:05pm) -- Edison & Ford Winter Estates will be closed to visitors on Thursday, September 7 and will remain closed through Monday, September 11. Visitors should call 239-334-7419 and speak with a staff person before planning their visit.
Crews are installing storm shutters, and high-priority items are being moved from the historic structures to the museum for safety.
-------------------------------------------
FLORIDA GOVERNOR (2:10pm) -- Governor Scott issues updates on Hurricane Irma preparedness.
-------------------------------------------
FGCU (2pm) -- All Florida Gulf Coast University classes and business are operating on regular schedules. Hurricane updates and information as related to FGCU are available on the University’s emergency management page.
They will determine in the next 24-48 hours what impact the storm will have on Friday classes and operations.
-------------------------------------------
COLLIER COUNTY (1:15pm) -- Collier officials will hold a joint press conference at 3 p.m. on Tuesday. The subject of the press conference will include, but is not limited to, updates on Hurricane Irma.
-------------------------------------------
LEE COUNTY (1pm) -- While it is now more likely that Southwest Florida will see impacts from Hurricane Irma, it is too early to tell specifically what those impacts will be locally.
Evacuation and sheltering decisions will be made as direct impacts from Irma become more clear, most likely over the next day or two. Those decisions will be communicated to local media when they are made.
Residents should review their hurricane/evacuation plans, update their hurricane supply kit and be ready to act when evacuation orders are issued for certain populations and areas of the county. Residents should stay informed via local media and the Lee County EOC.
-------------------------------------------
I have rescinded all weight and driver restrictions for highways so water, food, fuel and emergency supplies can be quickly brought to FL
— Rick Scott (@FLGovScott) September 5, 2017
-------------------------------------------
Remove anything outside your home that could become a projectile during a storm including your garbage cans, lids and recycle carts and store them inside.
Regular household collections will begin as regularly scheduled as soon as possible after the storm.
To prepare at home or for possible evacuations, North Collier Fire is asking everyone to put together a 72-hour go kit today.
