Evacuations ordered, officials urge: ‘Do not wait’
Lee County evacuates zones A,B as Milton reaches Category 5
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Lee County Public Safety Director Ben Abes announced Monday afternoon that the county is ordering a mandatory evacuation for zones A and B by Tuesday evening.
Zones A and B include the county's barrier islands of Fort Myers Beach, Matlacha, Pine Island and Sanibel. The zones also include portions of Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, San Carlos Park and North Fort Myers.
For a detailed map of what areas constitute zones A and B, visit the Lee County government website at www.leegov.com
Abes also announced that Hurricane Milton is now a dangerous Category 5 hurricane. The hurricane could make landfall as a Category 4 storm with a storm surge of up to 12 feet, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Hurricane winds could begin to be felt in Lee County by Tuesday evening or early Wednesday, Abes said.
Abes announced that storm shelters will open today at 3:30 p.m. at Island Coast High School in north Cape Coral, Dunbar High School at Edison Avenue in Fort Myers and Estero Recreation Center at 9200 Corkscrew Palms Boulevard in Estero. The shelters will accept pets on a leash.
More shelters will open on Tuesday, Abes said.
LeeTran has suspended fares and all routes are free. LeeTran buses will transport residents to shelters for free. For emergency transportation, contact 211.
Effective immediately, tolls on all Lee County bridges have been suspended. Lee County offices will be closed through Thursday as are all county schools.
"We've never seen a storm like this," Lee County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Greenwell said. "It could be catastrophic."
Abes said crews are still working to clear debris from Hurricane Helene before Hurricane Milton hits. Household trash collection is suspended from Tuesday through Thursday.
"You do not want to drown in storm surge," Lee County District 4 Commissioner Brian Hamman said. "Get out of those flood zones."
Hamman said emergency responders were unable to respond to those who called 911 for help and who ultimately died during Hurricane Ian because the conditions were so bad.
"We can always replace stuff, we can't replace you," Hamman said. "If you are in an area that flooded in Helene and Ian, you will get water," Hamman said. "You have a responsibility to prepare."
"You do not want to wait," Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said. "This storm is deadly."
Marceno said a potential 12-feet of storm surge is life-threatening. "We know the storm surge takes lives," Marceno said. "Get out of harm's way."
Marceno said that after sustained winds of more than 45 miles per hour, emergency responders will not be able to make rescues. "We can't bring back lives," he said.