Live updates: Roadways flood, bridges close, no school in Lee County Friday

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Lee County has been battling the impact of Hurricane Helen all day and coastal areas, like Fort Myers Beach, are experiencing significant flooding due to storm surge.

This is a developing story and our reporters and photographers are providing coverage from different locations in Lee County, contributing the latest updates on flooding, cancellations and closures, and what you need to know.

➤ Hurricane Helene weather in Lee today: What to expect, when and where

Go HERE for Lee County weather watches, warnings and advisories.

Go HERE for latest forecast from AccuWeather.

Go: LCEC power map is HERE .

Go: FPL's tracker is HERE .

Go HERE for United States power outage tracker

Go HERE for flight status at RSW.

Go HERE for live webcam at Naples Pier.

Lee County schools: Closed on Friday

Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our students and staff, the Lee County School District has made the decision to close all schools and district offices on Friday.

FGCU: No classed on Friday, campus closed

Based on the information we have received on the ongoing impacts of Hurricane Helene, and in coordination with other local agencies and school districts, FGCU is canceling all classes and business operations for Friday, Sept. 27. Stay safe, and we plan on returning to normal operations Saturday, as conditions allow.

Garbage collection update for Lee County

Waste Management resumes garbage routes  Waste Management of Fort  Myers will resume residential collection in Lee County on Friday. Thursday residential routes will be collected on Friday, and Friday routes on Saturday.   Regular operations will resume on Monday. Visit www.wmfloridastorm.com for updated information and further resumption of service details.

Just because the causeway’s open doesn’t mean you should cross it

Contrary to some national news reports, the Sanibel Causeway isn’t closed, but its mainland approach is. McGregor Boulevard between Port Comfort Road and the Sanibel Toll Plaza is closed, the City of Sanibel wrote in an update.

“Please keep in mind that once the road becomes passable crews will need to clear debris before opening it to vehicles,” it said.

Earlier Thursday night, public safety agencies urged residents to stay home and avoid driving as Hurricane Helene’s rough weather continues.

Lee County schools: Barrier island schools closed Friday

The Lee County School District announced late Thursday that three barrier island schools will be closed Friday due to the impact of Hurricane Helene.

The district said that PIne Island Elementary, Fort Myers Beach Elementary and Sanibel School would be closed.

"Due to the increase in the storm’s intensity and expected high tide at 1 a.m., out of an abundance of caution, we have made the decision to keep the barrier island schools closed on Friday," the announcement said.

Earlier Thursday, the district said that classes would resume for all students Friday.

"The District continues to work with the Lee County Emergency Operations Center as we monitor the effects of Hurricane Helene to our area. As we advised you in our earlier message, our teams have been  assessing our school and district buildings for damage or concerning weather related conditions," the district said.

"Our teams will continue assessing the weather conditions and our school buildings and we will communicate with you if there are additional updates."

Bokeelia Fish House surveys damage 'lost everything'

Waters from Charlotte Harbor have flooded into Capt’n Con’s Fish House on the northern most end of Bokeelia. “We have officially lost everything,” a post on the historic restaurant’s Facebook page read.   “We will salvage what we can tomorrow.” Photos from security cameras show water throughout the kitchen, dining rooms and bar area. Capt’n Con’s has been a Pine Island favorite for decades since replacing Crab Shack in 1995. Built in 1904, the former private residence and post office sits across from the Bokeelia Fishing Pier. In an earlier post, a photo taken at 5:41 p.m. shows water threatening to crest the pier.

RSW: Expecting close to normal day Friday

Most of the airlines serving RSW plan to resume normal operations tomorrow, Sept. 27. There still may be delays and cancellations. Check with your airline for the most up-to-date information.

Caloosahatchee River continues to swell from surge

What happens when you pump water but there’s nowhere for it to go? That’s the challenge faced by Fort Myers staff as the Caloosahatchee and its tributary creeks continue to swell, says City Councilman Liston Bochette.

“Expected peak is 1 a.m.,” he wrote in a text, and “Water is rising in Dean Park.  All four pumps are running but are losing ground because there is nowhere for the pumped water to go.  If water continues to rise at current rate some of the homes could flood.

"Since there has been very little rain, this is strictly a surge event.  We will continue to run the pumps,” Bochette said. “Staff is doing everything they can do.”

Matanzas Pass Bridge closed; rescue efforts under way

As of Thursday evening, the Matanzas Pass Bridge is officially closed due to severe flooding, according to the Lee County Emergency Operations Center. San Carlos Island is reportedly overwhelmed with flooding. Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno announced at 7:44 p.m. that rescue efforts are underway for Fort Myers Beach, with rescue boats being deployed at the foot of the Matanzas Pass Bridge.

Streets flood, stranding those on Fort Myers Beach through morning

The streets are flooded and Matanzas Bridge is closed as people who stayed on Fort Myers Beach are trapped until early Friday morning.

The next high tide phase is 9:18 a.m., which means there will still be sea water on parts of the landscape into the morning hours.

The Crescent Street area looked like a swift-flowing creek that was about to turn into a small river.

Power outages have been common at Margaritaville, but the facility has generators that have maintained power through the storm.

Virtually no cars are on the roads tonight, at least not at the north end of the island.

All roads near the north end of the island are flooded, with construction debris and orange cone markers floating down the streets.

Forecasters are calling for a storm surge of 3-to-5 feet at Fort Myers Beach between now and midnight.

Trailing winds from Hurricane Helene have been pushing water onshore here since the tide starting coming in around 4:18 p.m.

'High tide and wind-driven water'

In downtown Fort Myers Thursday night, streets flooded in some low-lying areas close to the Caloosahatchee River and in the historic Dean Park neighborhood.

“A few homes along the river have taken (on) water,” said Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson, while “last report was that around 500 homes have lost power. “

Councilman Liston Bochette, whose Ward 4 includes neighborhoods along the Caloosahatchee said the river overtopped seawalls along its south bank of the river. “Not as bad as Ian but the same scenario,” he said. “High tide and wind-driven water.”

As darkness fell, spokeswoman Noelle Casagrande said the city is expecting “onshore flow as the storm moves north past us.”

Staff is deployed throughout the city and urging drivers to stay put, Casagrande said.

“(The) best we can do is block roads and, as we’ve been doing, advise people to stay off them,” she said. “In terms of our city prep, city staff prepared, drains and pumps (were) good to go, etc. Can’t help storm surge impacts. We’ve done what we could do and now have to see how it plays out.”

Stay off the roads, Sanibel police urge

Storm surge from Hurricane Helene is making driving unsafe throughout Sanibel and Captiva, the City of Sanibel announced shortly before 9 p.m.

“The Sanibel Police Department recommends that residents shelter at home and stay off the roads until the water recedes. Driving on flooded streets is not safe, as motorists may unintentionally steer out of the roadway.”

High winds will push water onshore throughout the night, according to forecasts, and the islands’ high tide for Sanibel is expected between midnight and 3 a.m.

Emergency services suspended on Fort Myers Beach

Due to the current conditions on Estero Island, Fort Myers Beach Fire District is currently shut down for emergency runs. Please continue to call 911 and report your emergency and they will respond as soon as they can. Also, all traffic is being stopped at Pine Ridge Road and San Carlos Boulevard because of the current roadway flooding.

Cape Coral Parkway under water

Everything on Cape Coral Parkway between the Cape Coral Bridge and Palm Tree Boulevard is impassable, Cape Coral Police reported about 8 p.m. Most roadways south of that area are also impassable. Do not attempt to drive through these areas.

Tornado watch for Lee County extended until 6 a.m. Friday

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch until 6 a.m. Friday for Lee County.

Edison Bridge closed in all directions

Due to heavy flooding in downtown Fort Myers, the Fort Myers Police Department is closing all directions of the Edison Bridge. In a 7:26 p.m. announcement, the department encouraged drivers to stay off roadways while the storm surge moves in. It reminded residents flooding is expected to continue throughout Thursday night and to seek alternate routes.

Boca Grande's Gasparilla Road floods from high surf

Gasparilla Road toward Boca Grande is flooded with water from high surf in the Gulf, Lee Sheriff Carmine Marceno shared at 7:44 p.m. Deep water from the county line south to Loomis Way presents a hazard to vehicle traffic, Marceno added, advising residents to avoid the area.

Lee Clerk reopens; report for jury duty Friday

The Lee Clerk’s office will reopen Friday with normal business hours. Anyone summoned for jury duty or scheduled for court should report to the Justice Center in downtown Fort Myers. Please visit www.leeclerk.org and Lee Clerk social media pages for the latest updates on services.

Fort Myers Beach taking another beating from a hurricane

Photos: Fort Myers Beach dealing with Helene's storm surge

Road closed near Fort Myers Beach

All traffic is being stopped at Pine Ridge Road and San Carlos Boulevard due to the current roadway flooding, the Fort Myers Beach Fire District shared at 6:46 p.m.

Flooding a growing concern on the beach

From Mickenzie Hannon:

The flooding along Estero Boulevard and side streets is beginning to increase significantly, the Town of Fort Myers Beach shared in a press release at 5:47 p.m.The Town advised residents to shelter in place and only travel on the roads if absolutely necessary.

Due to the current conditions on Estero Island, the Fort Myers Fire District is currently shut down for emergency runs, as of 6:03 p.m. Please continue to call 911 and report any emergencies and the Fire District will respond as soon as it can, it said in a social media post.

Storm surge bigger threat now for Fort Myers Beach

From Chad Gillis:

Gulf of Mexico waters were washing over Fort Myers Beach Thursday at 6 p.m., and the tide was still rising.

The National Weather Service predicted 3-to-5 feet of storm surge here between 8 p.m. and midnight.

Water is expected to still be on the landscape Friday morning, when a high tide will occur at 9:18 a.m.

Construction debris and barricade sections were floating in the middle of Estero Boulevard as a handful of vehicles raced to get off the island.

It appears the water is too high for vehicles to get to the Matanzas Bridge at this point.

So, practically everyone on the island is staying here until at least Friday morning.

Bystanders had gathered near the pier earlier in the day but were gone by 5 p.m.

The old pier was pounded by 6-foot waves most of the day, and some signage in the Times Square area was down.

Power has been flickering on-and-off at Margaritaville near the north end of the island.

Bonita Springs officials to residents: 'Continue to monitor'

Bonita Springs encourages residents to continue to monitor Hurricane Helene as it impacts Southwest Florida this afternoon and evening. The city continues to coordinate with Lee County Emergency Operations,  Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and other partners on storm response.

This morning the city experienced street flooding from storm surge. Some of the flooding has receded with the onset of low tide. As our area experiences the onshore winds from Hurricane Helene,  combined with an incoming tide, there is potential for additional street flooding this evening. Once the storm passes, it will take the infrastructure time to drain. Please use caution and don’t drive through flooded roads. If the roadway is covered with water, take another route. Essential City staff are monitoring & patrolling within the city throughout the duration of the storm. Please monitor local law enforcement social media for road information.

Residents who use generators should place generators at least 20 feet from doors and windows and should keep the exhaust pointed away from homes.

Bonita Springs Government has announced it will re-open Friday after a one-day closure due to Hurricane Helene. Visit the City of Bonita Springs Website for more information. The city has also created a webpage for Hurricane Helene. Storm-specific information will posted here.  Follow the City of Bonita Springs on Facebook .

Lee County Clerk's office will open Friday

The Lee Clerk’s office will reopen tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 27 with normal business hours. Anyone summoned for jury duty or scheduled for court should report to the Justice Center in downtown Fort Myers.

Please visit www.leeclerk.org and Lee Clerk social media pages for the latest updates on our services.

From Fort Myers Beach: Waves, wind and a swaying bridge

From Chad Gillis, who is on Fort Myers Beach with Andrew West:

The pedestrian bridge over Estero Boulevard at Margaritaville swayed ever so slightly as gusty winds whipped across Fort Myers Beach.

The tide is incoming through Friday morning at 9:18 a.m., which means ocean water will likely be on the island for hours.

Several people in various types of vehicles were trying to get off the island around 4:30 p.m. Thursday, but some of the cars stalled in sea water.

Sea foam washed across the beach like snow drifting on tundra, and tiny beads of sand pelted onlookers during the height of Hurricane Helene’s power.

Justin Bodine, of North Fort Myers, came to the beach to see the waves build.

“We just got back from Sanibel and this is our last stop,” Bodine said. “We just wanted to enjoy it. I lost everything in (Hurricane) Ian. I lost my truck and my apartment, but that’s just life.”

Forecasters with the National Weather Service are expecting storm surge to be at its peak here between 8 p.m. and midnight, with waters receding until midday Friday.

LCSO will open Friday for normal operations

From Mickenzie Hannon:

Lee County Sheriff's Office facilities will reopen tomorrow for normal operations. For immediate assistance, it advises residents to call 239-477-1000 or dial 911 for emergencies.

Health department issues 'no swim' advisory'

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County is advising the public not to swim in the Gulf due to increased risk of water-borne illness from Hurricane Helene.

Swimming is not recommended because bacteria from street flooding and storm surge can be carried back into the Gulf after flooding recedes.

Read the full story HERE from health reporter Liz Freeman.

Video: Matlacha Bridge taking a beating from Hurricane Helene's waves

Water spilling over Matlacha Bridge

More video from Pine Island as Hurricane Helene's wind pushing water

LCSO announces road closures

The area of Cypress Lane and East Riverside Drive in Fort Myers is impassible. Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno told residents to avoid the area.

Lee County Emergency Management: Stay home, avoid driving

Lee County Emergency Management is urging residents to stay home and avoid driving as Hurricane Helene's severe weather continues to impact SW FL this afternoon and evening, the County shared in a 3:18 p.m. press release. If residents must drive, the County advises avoiding standing water and exercising caution at intersections, as some traffic signals may not be functioning.

Key updates:

• Lee County Government will reopen Friday following its closure Thursday due to the storm. For specific office details, visit www.leegov.com/departments .
• Trash, yard waste and recycling pickups will resume Friday. Thursday’s collections will occur on Friday, and Friday’s collections will move to Saturday. Normal service resumes Monday.
• All Lee County disposal facilities will be open regular hours on Friday and extended hours on Saturday.

Unincorporated Lee County residents with water intrusion or wind damage in flood-prone areas can email FIRMinfo@leegov.com for assistance with permits. Visit www.leegov.com/dcd/BldPermitServ/disaster-recovery for more information.

The Lee County Emergency Operations Center remains fully staffed and continues to coordinate with local, state and federal partners. Utility crews are pre-positioned to respond to power issues and infrastructure impacts as they arise.

Downed power lines start fire in Lehigh Acres

From reporter Mickenzie Hannon via X (formerly Twitter):

The 5300 block of Second Street West in Lehigh Acres is currently blocked due to a fire. Trees blew over onto the power lines. The Lehigh Acres Fire Department is on the scene assessing the situation, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno announced on social media at 3:12 p.m.

Matlacha Bridge taking on water

From Charles Runnells:

Pine Island flooding: Water on the Matlacha Bridge

Water is starting to spill over the top of the Matlacha Bridge, thanks to Helene's winds and the high tide, said Cody Allen, assistant chief for the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire District.

Allen said he encourages people to stay off the roads and the bridge unless they absolutely need to be there.

"As far as I know, it's not impassable," he said about the bridge. "But we encourage people, if you don't need to be on the roadway, then stay off the roadway. … People can drive, but we encourage them not to."

Other than that, the fire district is continuing to monitor things as Hurricane Helene continues its path north.

So far, there hasn't been anything major happening other than some expected flooding in flood-prone areas, rain bands and gusty winds, Allen said.

"We've had a couple of downed branches and downed trees that we're moving off the roadway …" he said. "We've been continuously driving the streets on all areas of the island to monitor flooding, any damages, and do debris assessments and things like that. And we're monitoring wind speeds, as well."

There goes the sand on Sanibel

From Amy Williams:

By midday, Sanibel spokesman Eric Jackson said Sanibel Captiva Road at Blind Pass was looking pretty beachy.

Almost a year after Lee County spent $5 million placing 70,000 tons of Immokalee sand to shore up (ha) the coastline south of the pass, Hurricane Helene tossed a bunch of it onto the nearby road.

The 2023 project was designed to enhance the much-eroded beach and bolster the safety and stability of the road, which is the only south of Blind Pass and reduce the vulnerability of, which is neighboring Captiva’s sole land evacuation route.

How much was lost remains to be seen, and in the meantime, Jackson said public works crews will clear the roadway off once it’s safe.

Forecasters probe potential tornado in North Fort Myers

From breaking news reporting Tomas Rodriguez:

While officials with the National Weather Service said Thursday afternoon they could not confirm a tornado was at fault for tearing the roof off a North Fort Myers building, they said it is likely.

Matt Anderson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Ruskin, said forecasters were working to confirm a possible tornado in Palm Creek Drive, in North Fort Myers.

"It definitely looks like there was a tornado there," Anderson said. "It would take a little more investigation from us."

According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office, the disturbance did not cause injuries nor major damages.

Photos released by the sheriff's office show part of the home's metal roof lay on the ground, while the structural beams became visible.

Tide will dictate strength of surge, officials say. Expect things to change

From Chad Gillis who is on Fort Myers Beach today with Andrew West:

The National Weather Service says the worst impacts from Hurricane Helene for the Lee County are still to come as 3-to-5 feet of storm surge is expected.

Matt Anderson, a meteorologist with NWS in Ruskin, said water levels will be elevated into Friday.

“We expect the peak surge will be 8 p.m. to midnight and receding by Friday morning and into the midday,” Anderson said. “Water levels will be below peak tide by early morning.”

Photo gallery: Fort Myers beach flooding

Health department advisory: Water quality a concern with Helene

In a social media post at 1:30 p.m., the Florida Department of Health in Lee County reminded residents to keep children from playing in floodwater, as it may contain fecal matter and they can become sick or be bitten by snakes or floating insects.

Times Square on Fort Myers Beach popular spot for storm 'lookers'

Onlookers are gathering near Times Square on Fort Myers Beach as Hurricane Helene plows through the Gulf of Mexico

Breaking waves were pounding the old pier and nearby seawall, spraying saltwater into the air.

The Category 2 storm is expected to bring 3-to-5 feet of storm surge to Fort Myers Beach later today.

The high tide this morning caused minor flooding near the pier, but the waters receded by midday.

Winds are expected to pick up in the next few hours, approaching tropical storm force (which start at 39 miles per hour).

Some cars are still trying to leave the island, and many of them have stalled near the bottom of the Matanzas Bridge.

Harry Lopez, of Cape Coral, came to the beach with family to see the big waves and gusty winds.

“I’m just curious about the storm,” he said. “I moved here just after Ian, so I didn’t experience that. But this is kind of wild.”

Where are power outages from Helene? Lights out in some places on the barrier islands

From reporter Amy Williams:

More than 200 people are without power on Sanibel and Captiva, Lee County Electric Cooperative reports.

That’s 2.4% of the islands’ 9,863 customers.

The lights went out this morning, and should be restored by 1:30, according to its tracking map: https://www.lcec.net/storm-center/outage-map/https://www.lcec.net/storm-center/outage-map/

On neighboring Pine Island, 82 of the coop’s 7,556 customers are dark.

What streets are flooded and closed in downtown Fort Myers?

Mickenzie Hannon reports the following:

Additional Road Closures Due to Flooding:

• West First Street from Monroe Street to Carson Street
• Heitman Street from Main Street to West First Street
• Southbound ramp from Caloosahatchee Bridge onto West First Street

Downtown corridor closures:

• Bay Street/Hendry Street
• Bay Street/Heitman Street
• West First Street/Wilna Street
• West First Street/Beau Rivage
• Hendry Street/Edwards Drive
• Bay Street/Dean Street
• West First Street/Clifford Street

The Fort Myers Police Department ask residents to avoid these areas and limit travel as flooding from the river is expected to worsen, especially as winds shift later today. According to a 12:34 p.m. update, the northbound Edison Bridge remains closed, as well as First Street from Seaboard Street to Hough Street, along with all residential side streets in the area.

Town Hall will reopen Friday

Fort Myers Beach Town Hall will open at 10 a.m. Friday, the Town shared in a 12:30 p.m. press release. Regular business hours will resume on Monday. The Town apologized for any inconvenience and appreciate residents’ understanding.

Cape Coral seeing some minor flooding on streets

What streets are flooded, closed in City of Fort Myers?

This just in from reporter Mickenzie Hannon via X (formerly known as Twitter):

As of 12:10 p.m. today (Sept. 26), the following intersections in the downtown Fort Myers corridor are closed due to roadway flooding from the river:

• Bay Street and Hendry Street
• Bay Street and Heitman Street
• West First Street and Wilna Avenue
• West First Street and Beau Rivage
• Hendry Street and Edwards Drive
• Bay Street and Dean Street
• West First Street and Clifford Street

The Fort Myers Police Department asks residents to avoid these areas as it deals with roadway flooding from the river.

Lee County officials ask residents to 'stay cautious'

From reporter Mickenzie Hannon:

During a noon press conference, Lee County officials advised residents to stay cautious as Hurricane Helene continues to pass offshore. County Public Safety Director Benjamin Abes emphasized that although Lee County is not expected to face a direct hit, dangerous conditions remain, and residents should limit travel and avoid barrier islands.

Key updates from the press conference:

• As of 11:30 a.m., 1,400 Lee County Electric Cooperative and 1,100 Florida Power & Light customers were without power. More outages are expected as the storm progresses.
• Two safe havens remain open at North Fort Myers Recreation Center and Estero Recreation Center. As of this morning, 40 individuals were at North Fort Myers and 19 at Estero. The County reminds residents, these are not evacuation shelters.
• Residents are urged to avoid unnecessary travel. Several roads are flooded, and conditions will continue to change throughout the day. Do not drive through water or sand, and avoid traveling to barrier islands such as Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Captiva and Pine Island, Abes said.
• All Lee County offices, parks and libraries are closed today. The County suspended regular services such as bus routes and trash collection.

Additional precautions:

• If using a generator, ensure it is positioned at least 20 feet away from doors and windows, with exhaust pointing away from your property to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Use caution at intersections as power outages may cause traffic signals to malfunction. Treat any non-working signals as four-way stops, Abes reminded residents.

The County encourages residents to monitor local news and official Lee County websites and social media channels for the latest updates. For non-emergency inquiries, residents can call the United Way emergency information hotline at 211 or 239-433-3900.

Avelo joins list of airlines canceling all flights today at RSW

Southwest Florida International announced on Facebook that Avelo Airlines has now canceled all flight operations for today (Sept. 26).

Scroll down for more info on flight or go HERE .

Video: Storm surge from Hurricane Helene near Sanibel lighthouse

City of Bonita Springs to residents: Limit your travel today

From reporter Mickenzie Hannon:

The City of Bonita Springs urges residents to limit travel as Hurricane Helene brings inclement weather and flooding to the area, the City shared in a press release at 11:37 a.m.

Many roadways are flooded, and infrastructure will need time to drain after the storm. Residents are advised to avoid driving through flooded areas and to seek alternate routes if necessary.

Essential city staff are actively monitoring and patrolling the area throughout the storm's duration. Bonita Springs city offices, parks and facilities are closed today, and all LeeTran bus routes have been suspended. Residential garbage, yard waste and recycling collections are also paused. Residents should not place bins at the curb, the City said.

The City reminds residents to be aware of permit requirements for post-storm repairs, especially in Special Flood Hazard areas. For assistance, contact Bonita Springs Community Development at 239-444-6150 or email floodinfo@cityofbonitaspringscd.org.

Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 6 teams activated in Florida

From staff reports:

South Trail Fire & Rescue join state efforts Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 6, the local team, has been activated in response to Hurricane Helene. Florida has mobilized 13 Urban Search & Rescue Task Forces and 1,100 personnel and positioned them in critical areas around the state in preparation of hurricane landfall.   Six members of South Trail Fire & Rescue are deployed with US&R TF6.

Live radar as Hurricane Helene passes by

More streets closed in the City of Fort Myers due to flooding

• West First Street from Monroe Street to Carson Street
• Heitman Street from Main Street to West First Street
• Southbound ramp from Caloosahatchee Bridge onto West First Street

Scroll down to see complete list. The Edison Bridge is also closed because of flooding.

City of Fort Myers officials continue to watch, address Helene's impacts

From reporter Amy Williams:

Fort Myers flooding 'a question of timing'

“So far, so good,” is Fort Myers City Councilman Liston Bochette’s outlook on Hurricane Helene, though he’s keeping an eye on high tides times and onshore winds, which can back up downtown storm drains.

“It is a question of timing,” he said. “The winds are never welcome.”

Edgewood Avenue resident Carole Cornet is all too familiar with what extra water can do to her neighborhood. Too much stormwater overwhelms her riverfront neighborhood’s sewer system, which can send untreated wastewater gurgling up through toilets and sinks inside, or flowing out of manhole covers outside before it makes its way to the Caloosahatchee River and ultimately the estuary that surrounds Sanibel and Lee County’s barrier islands.

With Helene, though, she echoes Bochette: “So far, so good.”

About Lee County bridges and driving during Hurricane Helene:

Lee County does not literally “close” bridges with barricades, cones, gates or signs because they can easily blow away, becoming ineffective and hazardous. Lee DOT strongly advises motorists to stay off bridges – and the roads leading to them— when sustained winds reach 40 mph (tropical storm force).

Photo gallery: Law enforcement photos of flooding, public safety efforts

Photo gallery: See Hurricane Helene scenes from Sanibel Island

Pine Island flooding: Watching out for flooding this afternoon and tonight

Pine Island emergency officials are keeping an eye on the area's flood zones and preparing for more possible rising water tonight, said Captain Cliff Simer of the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire District.

"Right now, everything is pretty much holding its own," Simer said.

Areas that typically flood during storms and high tide are doing it again this morning, he said, including Pine Island Road in Matlacha and the avenues in St. James City.  High tide was earlier this morning, he added, and it'll be an outgoing tide between 5 and 7 p.m.

What happens next depends on Helene's next move.

Minor flooding so far on Pine Island

Pine Island residents are reporting some minor flooding. Water has passed over the seawall in Matlacha and at Manatee Bay and Cactus Point Lane in St. James City, according to posts on the Facebook group Pine Island, FL Community Information.

Other flooded areas include Eighth Avenue, Sixth Avenue and Gait Island Avenue.

Scott Adams wrote, "8th Ave under water."

Fort Myers Beach officials actively monitoring Hurricane Helene

Fort Myers Beach Emergency Management is actively monitoring Hurricane Helene as it moves past the island, maintaining communication with Lee County and other municipal partners, according to a 10:28 a.m. press release .

With severe weather expected throughout the day, the Town urges residents to limit travel and avoid the island if not already present. Standing water on the island is unlikely to recede anytime soon, based on current weather reports.

High tide this morning pushed sand into Times Square, and the Town advises everyone to avoid the area due to potential hidden debris. Cleanup will begin once the storm passes.

Officials encourage residents to stay updated by following local weather reports and checking the Town of Fort Myers Beach’s Facebook page and website News Flashes . Residents are also encouraged to sign up for CodeRed alerts for emergency notifications via phone, text or email.

Video: Sanibel Lighthouse parking lot flooded

Video: View of flooding from Fort Myers Beach Bridge

What streets are closed in Fort Myers due to flooding?

The Edison Bridge is closed in both directions due to flooding. Residents are advised to avoid First Street and downtown Fort Myers roadways, as these areas are also experiencing significant flooding.

Fort Myers road closures due to flooding :

• Poinsettia Avenue/First Street
• Westbound Palm Beach at Seaboard (divert to Michigan Avenue)
• Park Avenue/ Second Street
• Edison Bridge Northbound Closure due to rising levels of the river
• All residential side streets on First Street

Due to rising waters in the Caloosahatchee throughout the day into the evening, these road closures will remain until the area is safe, the Fort Myers Police Department shared on social media at 10:11 a.m. Police advise residents to use alternate routes to travel into North Fort Myers. I-75 and the Caloosahatchee Bridge are alternates.

What is Lee County saying about Hurricane Helene today?

The Lee County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated, and county staff and partners continue to work closely with state and federal partners, including the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center.

Residents are invited to tune into the county’s Facebook Live event planned for today at noon with Public Safety Director Ben Abes. Go to www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc . The update also will air on the county’s YouTube channel and LeeTV.

Emergency Management encourages all residents to stay home, if possible, throughout the day, as Helene’s bands of inclement weather will continue to bring heavy rain and strong, gusty winds. Even though the weather may clear for brief periods, you are urged to stay indoors – especially this afternoon.

Do not drive if you do not have to. The massive storm will continue to impact our region even after it has passed to the north of Lee County. Don’t drive through standing water. Monitor local law enforcement social media channels and local media outlets for flooded road information. Specifically, Fort Myers Beach Fire & Rescue requests motorists not drive to Fort Myers Beach at this time. Be aware that after the storm passes – depending on the severity of the wind – motorists should use caution at all intersections in case traffic signals are not functioning.

Lee County does not literally “close” bridges during hurricanes with barricades, cones, gates or signs because they can easily blow away, becoming ineffective and hazardous. Lee DOT strongly advises motorists to stay off bridges – and the roads leading to them— when sustained winds reach 40 mph. Motorists may encounter law enforcement officers near bridges. Follow the directions given.

The EOC is fully staffed today at a Level 2, with nearly all seats filled in Plans and Operations.  Public Safety partners, including fire and law enforcement, are coordinating on any response issues that arise due to the strong winds. The Department of Transportation (DOT), Natural Resources and Utilities are pre-positioning crews to respond to impacts once the storm passes.

The EOC is working with FPL and LCEC to monitor power issues across the community. Residents who use generators should place generators at least 20 feet from doors and windows and should keep the exhaust pointed away from homes.

Residents who have not yet done so should sign up for AlertLee, which in addition to alerts about hurricane-related warnings and watches also provides tornado alerts. Visit www.leegov.com/hurricane/helene and scroll to the bottom of the landing page.

The Safe Havens that Lee County opened Wednesday remain open today for those who do not feel secure in their housing situation and who perhaps do not have a friend’s home or a family member’s home to go to.

The two Safe Havens will remain open as Lee County monitors the storm conditions. The locations are:

• North Fort Myers Recreation Center, 2000 North Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers, FL, 22903
• Estero Recreation Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero, FL, 33928

As of this morning, the North Fort Myers site was housing 44 people, and Estero had 19. No evacuation orders are in place, and no hurricane shelters are open.

Lee County offices are closed today along with all parks, libraries and other facilities. LeeTran’s regular, fixed-route bus route service is not running today. Residential garbage, yard waste and recycling collection is suspended for today. Do not place your bins at the curb.

Reopening and resumption of normal operations announcements will be forthcoming later today.

Residents with questions about non-urgent matters can call the Emergency Information Hotline. United Way activated the hotline earlier this week. Call United Way 211 by dialing 2-1-1 or (239) 433-3900 with questions including sandbag distribution sites, closures and real-time updates, Call 9-1-1 for urgent or life-threatening matters.

The Department of Community Development asks that any unincorporated Lee County Residents with water intrusion in their homes, or those residing in the Special Flood Hazard Area with wind damage, send an email to FIRMinfo@leegov.com for assistance with permit requirements and resources. Residents also can visit www.leegov.com/dcd/BldPermitServ/disaster-recovery for information.

Members of the community should continue to take action to stay informed:

• Monitor reputable local media outlets, the National Weather Service-Tampa, and the National Hurricane Center.
• Follow Lee County Government and Lee County Public Safety on social media , including Facebook, YouTube, X and LinkedIn.
• Sign up for AlertLee and download the LeePrepares app from Google Play or the App Store.

To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter here: www.leegov.com/resources/newsletters . Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc .

Is there flooding in Cape Coral?

The following intersection is closed right now due to flooding: Coronado Pkwy & Cape Coral Pkwy

Is there flooding on Sanibel

From reporter Amy Williams:

Some Sanibel roadways have already flooded, said city spokesman Eric Jackson.

All city beach parking lots are closed, he said. “We’re encouraging people to please stay off the roads if they don’t need to be out.”

The flooding isn’t limited to one part of the island, Jackson said.

Close to the causeway, water is flowing over Bailey Road, and on the way to Captiva, the Blind Pass area is flooded as well.

See photos of flooding, storm surge on Fort Myers Beach

Reports of power outages coming in

LCECs power outage tracker is showing more than 4,000 without power in North Fort Myers this morning after Hurricane Helen bands swept through Southwest Florida this morning. The outages are among others throughout the area. LCEC's website reported that the power was expected to be restored later this morning.

LCEC power map is HERE .

FPL's tracker is HERE .

In total, 8,000 or so residences were without power per our power tracker.

Hurricane Helene on its way to becoming a major hurricane today

Hurricane Helene continues to strengthen, with winds now at 100 mph, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.Additional strengthening is expected and Helene is expected to be a major hurricane before landfall later tonight. A major hurricane has maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph, making it a Category 3 storm or higher.

Fort Myers Beach report: Cars leaving the island

From Gillis, Chad via email: Street signs bobbed up and down in the strong breeze along Crescent Street as a slow procession of cars were leaving the island.

Charcoal gray clouds slipped across the horizon as water continued to flood Times Square.

Sea water was flowing into the storm water drains early this morning.

High tide here is around 9:30, although surge is expected to be at its worsts in the afternoon and evening hours.

Conditions are only expected to get worse today as winds shift and start to blow onshore.

Storm surge is expected to be the greatest danger for this region with Hurricane Helene.

Fort Myers Beach report: Wind blowing on shore

Note to audience: Reporter Chad Gillis and photographer Andrew West are on Fort Myers Beach to cover Hurricane Helene today. Here's the first dispatch from Gillis:

There was a familiar, eerie feeling on Fort Myers Beach early Thursday morning as winds from Hurricane Helene blew over the ravaged island.

Very few cars are moving on the island, and high tide is coming at 9:30 a.m.

Helene will continue north today and set its course for the Big Bend area.

Weather here will deteriorate throughout the day, with the strongest threat of storm surge coming in the afternoon hours.

Airport news: Check on flight cancellations at RSW

American Airlines and United have cancelled all flights at RSW today. Hurricane Helene Update: Southwest Airlines will now operate three departures this morning. Flight #940 to Baltimore, Flight #4350 to Chicago Midway and Flight #1871 to St. Louis.

Check on arrivals and departures HERE .

All things Lee County: What officials are advising for Hurricane Helene

Lee County Emergency Management Officials and commissioners met with the media on Wednesday to talk about storm preparation and public safety.

Read the full story and what you need to know HERE .

Covering Hurricane Helen: Top headlines from Wednesday

• STATE: Gov. DeSantis tells Floridians to prepare for a possible major hurricane
• PHOTOS: An early storm band from Hurricane Ian arrives at Fort Myers Beach
• CANCELATIONS/CLOSINGS: Here's a list of the latest on what's closed, canceled
• REGION: Cape Coral mayor asks resident to 'be prepared'
• VIDEO: Sandbag prep on Sanibel Island
• VIDEO: Early signs of Helene on Fort Myers Beach
• PHOTOS: Scenes from Bonita Beach

RSW: Update on canceled flights

From the Southwest Florida International Airport Facebook page: Wednesday, 9/25 (4:30 p.m.): Air Canada, Breeze, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country and WestJet have cancelled flight operations for tomorrow, Sept. 26. Some early morning flights have been cancelled on American, Delta and United. Please contact your airline for the most up-to-date flight information.

Check to see if your Publix is open or closed today

Is Pubix open today? Check this interactive map to see if hour at modified at your Publix. As of 7 p.m. Wednesday, the stories on Fort Myers Beach and in Bokeelia were scheduled to be closed today.

Tracking power outages in Southwest Florida: What to know

Check on power outages in Lee County that are being caused by Hurricane Helene.

Click HERE .

More coverage

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Live updates: Roadways flood, bridges close, no school in Lee County Friday