Hurricane Idalia made landfall Wednesday morning in the Big Bend area of the state as a Category 3 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center. While Lee County was spared from the worst of Idalia, the county experienced localized flooding in some of its coastal communities Tuesday afternoon.
Much of the initial flooding was attributed to some of the storm’s bands coinciding with high tides in the area, coupled with onshore winds. More flooding was seen in coastal and isolated areas overnight, when about 4,600 people in the county lost power.
“Conditions are starting to improve as the sun rises this morning,” Lee County Chairman Brian Hamman said.
There is still standing water on some roadways, and county officials suggest not traveling this morning if it’s not necessary.
Hamman said the county expected a similar level of flooding as happened overnight during high tide around 2 p.m.
The county is still under a tropical storm watch and residents are asked to use caution.
Florida Department of Transportation crews were out before sunrise, examining flooded roads in coastal areas. The major focus for the agency has been identifying drainage problems, if any.
“Much of it is just because the water levels are up so high that it can’t drain out,” Hamman said, “But they’re looking for anything like palm fronds, sand, gravel, things that are obstructing the drainage and clearing those out as fast as they can to try and get the water to drain off.”
The areas being covered by the DOT now are Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach, Hickory Boulevard in Bonita Springs and various roads on Pine Island and Boca Grande.
The county is also keeping in touch with city maintenance crews, keeping an eye on the flooding on First Street in downtown Fort Myers and the Sanibel and Captiva roads by Blind Pass.
County bridges are being assessed as of this morning, with all bridges open but with some lanes closed due to standing water. The Sanibel Causeway already has been inspected and cleared.
Traffic signals in the county are operating normally, with the county knowing of one traffic signal at Veronica S. Shoemaker Boulevard and Edison Avenue that’s down after being struck by lightning Tuesday night.
For those who lost power during the peak of the indirect impacts, Hamman said Florida Power & Light and Lee County Electric Cooperative already have made restorations to many customers.
County offices and Lee County public schools were closed Wednesday, but there is still curbside trash pickup, and LeeTran resumed normal routes later today. County offices will reopen Thursday with normal operations and hours.
School District of Lee County officials said crews assessed all campuses and buildings, and school, all school-related activities and all district offices will resume normal operations Thursday.
The Emergency Operations Center continues to be staffed with county employees and local partners. Lee County will continue to provide regular community updates through its social media channels and through Leegov.com/storm.
Open safe havens had a total of 101 residents at its peak, with 72 people remaining as of this morning. The Estero Recreation Center closed at 1 p.m., and the North Fort Myers location closes at 4 p.m.
For residents who may find themselves in need of extra assistance related to the storm, including some unexpected damage or flooding, can dial the United Way 211 line.
