Live updates: State reports 44 deaths in Florida, including 30 in Lee, 3 in Collier
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This is a live news blog with information about the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Southwest Florida Our reporters and photographers are spread out across Southwest Florida covering our communities and providing the latest information.
HERE IS THE LATEST ON SUPPLIES IN SWFL
9:42 p.m. | State medical examiners: 44 deaths in state; 30 in Lee, 3 in Collier
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement released Ian death counts Saturday night, reporting 44 statewide, including 30 in Lee and 3 in Collier.
The FDLE news release said: Florida District Medical Examiners report hurricane deaths to the Medical Examiners Commission (MEC) following autopsy after confirming the death is storm-related. FDLE staffs the Florida Medical Examiners Commission.
There are now 44 deaths attributed to Hurricane Ian confirmed by the MEC from the counties below.
Lake – 1
Sarasota – 3
Manatee – 1
Volusia – 5
Collier – 3
Lee – 30
Hendry – 1
9:17 p.m. | FPL: It could be months before power restored for some in SWFL
It may be months before some Southwest Florida coastal areas hammered by Hurricane Ian have their power restored, according to Florida Power & Light Company.
"We are repairing in most places outside of, right along the barrier islands and the beaches and the immediate coast line of Southwest Florida," FPL CEO Eric Silagy said Saturday night. "Those areas are going to be rebuilding, and unfortunately for those who live there, we are looking at weeks or months. Frankly, many homes and businesses will not be able to accept power when that power is restored."
Lee County had 166,000 FPL addresses without power Saturday night while the Collier tally was 77,650. When including other utilities, Collier had 97,819 unable to turn out on their lights or 37% overall. And in Lee, it was 341,337 or 72%.
That's a slight improvement from Saturday morning, when 40% of Collier and 73% of Lee woke up without electricity.
7:58 p.m. | Elon Musk helping SWFL with internet connectivity
WAUCHULA, Florida — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Saturday said that SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk was helping Southwest Florida regain internet connectivity through his Starlink satellite service.
DeSantis said Musk was positioning the satellite to improve coverage in the region and also providing 120 Starlink ground station units to help people nearby to gain internet connection.
“Hopefully, that will assist with some of the connectivity issues,” DeSantis said.
Hurricane Ian pummeled the state on Wednesday with crushing storm surge, obliterating wind speeds and torrential rainfall, leaving a swath of devastation from the southwestern coast across the I-4 corridor.
5:50 p.m. | Naples restaurants: What's open
Naples restaurants are opening up as power has been restored. Find out what open by clicking here
4:58 p.m. | Boil water notice lifted for Gulf Shore Drive
Collier County Public Utilities has lifted the precautionary boil/disinfection water notice for customers on Gulf Shore Drive.
Residents may check the current status of boil water notices on the Water Outage and Boil Water map at colliercountyfl.gov/boilwatermap.
Residents with questions about their water service may call Customer Service at 239-252-2380 or the Collier Information Hotline by dialing 311 within Collier County or 239-252-8444. Information can also be found at www.colliercountyfl.gov and social media channels including www.facebook.com/CollierGov and www.twitter.com/CollierGov.
4:49 p.m. | Good news from Naples Airport
Patient Airlift Services (PALS) SkyHope, is offering free non-emergency flights to Naples residents and their families who need transportation to and from the area.
The non-profit organization is made up of local volunteer pilots who are standing by to provide flights to aid in the hurricane relief efforts. “As our community recovers from the devastating effects of Hurricane Ian, it is our honor to provide free flights to members of our community who need it,” said Scott Ashton, PALS SkyHope board member and Naples based pilot.
Community members in need of transportation can contact the organization at missions@palservices.org, or call 860-866-6750. PALS SkyHope flights will be operated through the Naples Airport. Patient AirLift Services is a national nonprofit organization that provides free medical and compassion flights for patients, veterans, and their families, and supports humanitarian efforts in the event of natural or man-made disasters.
The organization’s mission is to alleviate the transportation issues that create a financial burden for families in need so they can focus on medical care, treatment, and recovery.
4:45 p.m. | Collier sets Ian debris pick-up start date
Hurricane Debris Collection Services Begin Oct. 3
PLEASE DO NOT MIX HURRICANE DEBRIS WITH HOUSEHOLD GARBAGE
Hurricane debris collection begins on Oct. 3 to allow time for residents to put the items out.
Place debris generated by Hurricane Ian curbside, at least three feet apart, in separate piles of: yard waste, construction and demolition (furniture, carpet), household hazardous waste, electronic waste and appliances.
Do not mix waste piles. Debris will be collected by a separate hauler than the usual garbage hauler. When placing curbside, avoid blocking the road, driveways, sidewalks, mailboxes and fire hydrants.
Please be patient for collection of these piles and monitor colliercountyfl.gov/hurricaneprep for updates. It will take some time to collect and all areas will have more than one pick up, as needed. There will be a deadline posted for debris to be placed on the street for pick up.
Any vehicles or vessels blocking roadways will be moved to the side to allow an accessible path. Residents are encouraged to claim their vehicle or boat.
Residents with questions may call the Collier Information Hotline by dialing 311 within Collier County or 239-252-8444. Information can also be found at www.colliercountyfl.gov and social media channels including www.facebook.com/CollierGov and www.twitter.com/CollierGov.
4:30 p.m. | I-75 reopens in south Sarasota County
According to tweets from the Florida Highway Patrol, northbound I-75 has reopened at mile marker 182 (Sumter Blvd.), and southbound I-75 at mile marker 182 is in the process of reopening.
The I-75 closure in Sarasota County between Exits 193 and 179 has concluded; all lanes of the Interstate have reopened as of 4:00 PM.
4:30 p.m. | Collier County has teams assessing the damage
Collier County damage assessment teams have been in the field since Thursday morning. They entered their third day of damage assessments today. Primary damage assessments have occurred on the west side of the US 41 corridor from the Lee/Collier border south to Chokoloskee/Everglades City.
Data from the assessment teams will be analyzed to determine the volume of structures affected and the dollar amount of damage involved.
Approximately 60% of the defined geographic areas (primarily residential) have been assessed.
Damage assessment teams will continue to work throughout next week until all parts of the pre-defined areas have been assessed.
3:04 p.m. | Donations pouring into the state
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis announced that within 48 hours of activation the Florida Disaster Fund raised over $20 million in donations to support communities impacted by Hurricane Ian. To contribute, please visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222.
“Raising more than $20 million in 48 hours for The Florida Disaster Fund is a testament to the generosity and compassion from people across Florida and the country,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “This funding is already being utilized by organizations in the field to help people who have been impacted by this storm. We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support for Florida.”
1:46 p.m. | FEMA response: Key numbers released today
Here are some numbers from a Saturday morning FEMA press conference on response to Hurricane Ian:
23: Confirmed deaths
1.3 million: Floridians without power
238: Generators staged throughout Florida to provide emergency power
4,000: People rescued
10,000: Staying in shelters (Total number of people displaced is still being tallied)
2,000: number of FEMA employees at work in Florida
Top three things citizens should do during recovery:
1: Stay focused on safety
2: Stay off roads
3: Don’t walk or drive in flood water
Source: FEMA press conference attended by Assistant Administrator, Response and Recovery, Anne Bink, US. Coast Guard, Commander, 7th Coast Guard District, Rear Admiral Brendan McPherson and American Red Cross Senior Director of Integrated Field Communications, Anthony Tornetta
1:10 p.m. | Some Ian surge numbers have come in for SWFL
Water levels in the Caloosahatchee River rose about seven feet above normal in downtown Fort Myers during Hurricane Ian, according to federal tide data.
Water levels at the Naples pier rose about six feet above normal before the station stopped collecting data early Wednesday afternoon during the hurricane. It is currently disabled.
The data comes from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tide gages. There are not stations on Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach.
However, if the water level rose more than 10 feet on Fort Myers Beach, as many residents suspect, Ian could be considered a 100-year-flood event based on water levels, according to pending FEMA flood maps. That means the chances of a storm like Ian hitting is once every 100 years. If the water levels rose more than 12 feet there, it would be considered a 500-year-flood event based on water levels, according to the flood maps.
Governor Ron DeSantis has called Ian “basically a 500-year flood event.”
READ FULL STORY ABOUT SURGE, WIND, RAIN
12:46 p.m. | Some Collier boil water notices lifted, others still in place
Collier County Public Utilities has lifted the boil water notice for customers in Isles of Capri, Goodland and all areas west of U.S. 41 from north of Seagate Drive to South of Bonita Beach Road with some exceptions.
Gulf Shore Drive and The Strand at Bay Colony are still under a boil notice and will be until further notice.
Collier County received upwards of 6 inches of rain, according to early National Weather Service reports, and about 5 feet of storm surge.
Combined, the forces caused officials to release a boil water notice to keep the public safe.
More information about water usage in Collier can be found here: colliercountyfl.gov/boilwatermap.
Customer service can be reached at (239) 252-2380.
12:36 p.m.| RSW has no current timeline to reopen
According to Southwest International Airport spokesperson Vicky Moreland there is no timeline for re-opening the airport.
Moreland confirmed that a Delta flight from Atlanta landed at RSW earlier on Saturday with supplies.
12:04 p.m. | Phone service update
Lumen technicians continue to survey and repair network damage in Florida communities, following safety guidelines.
Saturday, Oct. 1 Update:
We are prioritizing our restoration efforts for healthcare and safety services.
Commercial power remains out in a large part of the state so many Lumen network locations remain on generators and battery power.
Flooding issues are growing in some locations and continue to impact technicians being dispatched for repairs and to refuel generators.
Approximately 323,000 home internet and 47,000 home phone services are impacted, up slightly from yesterday.
We will continue to make repairs as quickly as possible while keeping employee safety a top priority.
11:16 a.m. | Boiler water notice issued for City of Naples
The City of Naples remains under a Precautionary Boil Water Notice for its entire drinking water service area, which includes all of the City of Naples and a portion of Collier County.
The City’s drinking water service area extends south from Pine Ridge Road / Seagate Drive, and west of Livingston Road. See map below for service area.
It is advised that all water used for drinking and cooking be brought to a rolling boil for one minute.
If boiling is not an available option:
· Use bottled water; or
· Disinfect tap water by adding 1/8 teaspoon of unscented bleach per gallon of water. Mix well and let sit uncovered for 30 minutes or more.
Water used for bathing and washing does not need to be boiled.
This notice will be rescinded when bacteriological surveys show that the drinking water is safe, and the public will then be notified.
10:18 a.m. | Major disaster declared for Seminole Tribe of Florida
FEMA has announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the Seminole Tribe of Florida to supplement tribal recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Ian beginning Sept. 23.
President Joe Biden's approval of the action makes federal funding available to affected tribal members. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
The tribe has a reservation in Collier County, as well as a hotel and casino in Immokalee.
You can apply for disaster assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling (800) 621-3362 or by using the FEMA mobile app.
9:42 a.m. | 9-1-1 CALLS UNAVAILABLE COUNTYWIDE
Text to 9-1-1 is still working.
Naples city residents can also call 239-213-3000 for help.
Residents in unincorporated Collier should phone 239-253-9300.
Or flag down a public safety vehicle.
The city reports that technicians are "diligently working to get the 9-1-1 system fully functional."
8:48 a.m. | I-75 closure: What you need to know
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Please be advised that the Myakka River under Interstate 75 (I-75) has risen and impacted the interstate, no longer making it safely passable for motorists. Due to the rising water, I-75 in both directions is now closed from mile marker 179 (North Port / Toledo Blade Blvd) to mile marker 193 (Englewood / Jacaranda Blvd). Motorists planning on traveling on I-75 to southwest Florida should seek an alternative route or follow the detours below.
Motorists traveling southbound on I-75:
A detour will be established at exit 257 (Brandon) to re-route motorists east on S.R. 60 to U.S. 98.
If a motorist chooses to continue southbound on I-75, they will only be able to travel as far as exit 193 (Englewood / Jacaranda Blvd).
At exit 193, motorists will be forced to exit and turn around and return northbound.
Motorists traveling northbound on I-75:
A detour will be established at exit 141 (Palm Beach Blvd) to re-route motorists east on S.R. 80 / U.S. 27 to U.S. 98.
If a motorist chooses to continue northbound on I-75, they will only be able to travel as far as exit 179 (North Port / Toledo Blade Blvd).
At exit 179, motorists will be forced to exit and turn around and return southbound.
Motorists should avoid I-75 between mile markers 179 and 193. As motorist safety is the top priority, the Florida Department of Transportation and Florida Highway Patrol will continue to monitor the river and bridge. FDOT is in contact with WAZE, Google, and Apple Maps.
Major delays are expected in the area, please plan accordingly. The detours are expected to be in place until the water recedes. Please drive with caution through the area as other flooding is being experienced in the area.
Floridians should visit www.FL511.com – or download the app – for up-to-date information on road closures and travel routes.
7:43 a.m. | Everglades City suffers sever damage
EVERGLADES CITY, Florida — On the doorframe of Petra Gengenbach’s 1960s-era Right Choice supermarket, the words “Irma 2017” are scrawled next to a black line. Not far below it, she pointed to the latest waterline left days earlier.
The 55-year-old spent Friday clearing ruined food and mud from her store after Hurricane Ian's storm surge swept through the hardscrabble crab fishing community, the last town before Florida’s southwest coast dissolves into the Everglades and mangrove islands.
While Ian didn’t cause the catastrophic damage seen further north, the surge of seawater tore through the first floors of homes, sparked a fire at a two-generation airboat business and sent neighbors scrambling to rescue each other in jon boats that sped atop a city turned into a lake.
7:33 a.m. | Concern grows for displaced Naples residents
Hurricane Ian didn't just do major damage to homes and businesses in Naples.
It displaced residents.
At a community meeting Friday, City Council talked about the need to "figure out a plan" for those residents.
They questioned whether they could get help from Collier County, if it still had shelters available, or stand up a shelter of their own.
The lack of a plan upset Vincent Keeys, president of the NAACP in Collier County.
He said residents in River Park - a historically black, low-income community - are in desperate need of help.
"There are people out here who need help and they need an answer," he said.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Hurricane Ian recovery: Saturday updates for Naples, Collier County
