Hurricane Milton live news blog: Sanibel Island orders mandatory evacuations (2025)

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Lee County is bracing for any impact from Hurricane Milton. Milton strengthened into a hurricane Sunday afternoon. Landfall somewhere along Florida's west coast, although it is too early to tell if that will mean SW FL or elsewhere. The expectations are significant storm surge in coastal areas, wind, rain and along with it flooding and power outages in the region.

This is continues to be developing story and our reporters and photographers are providing coverage from different locations in Lee County again today, contributing the latest updates on the forecast, evacuations, shelters and supplies and what you need to know.

EVACUATION ZONES FOR LEE COUNTY: Find out where yours his HERE.

WATCHING THE TROPICS: Here's the latest information on Hurricane Milton's track.

Helpful links

GoHEREfor Lee County weather watches, warnings and advisories.

GoHEREfor latest forecast from AccuWeather.

POWER OUTAGES:LCEC power map isHERE.

POWER OUTAGES:FPL's tracker isHERE.

POWER OUTAGES:HEREfor United States power outage tracker

AIRPORT:RSW's flight trackerfor delays, cancellations

Poll: Staying or going?

Sanibel orders mandatory evacuations

Already under a local state of emergency, Sanibel ordered evacuations of the island city as Hurricane Milton approaches.

Everyone needs to be off the island by 10 p.m. Tuesday, said City Manager Dana Souza.

“It is not time to be a hero,” said Mayor Richard Johnson. “It’s not time to try to stand against the storm surge that’s coming,” Johnson said. “Get everything you can out of the way of the water that’s coming, especially yourself, your family and your pets.” Once tropical storm-force winds arrive, “We will not be in a position to render aid,” he said.

Sanibel is on the dangerous side of the storm, and may see storm surge ranging between 6 and 10 feet, said Souza. “Everyone should anticipate flooding throughout the island,” he said. “This is expected to be a major event.”

Cape Coral Animal offering pet support

From reporter Kate Cimini:

Cape Coral residents evacuating with pets may want to stop by the Cape Coral Animal Shelter at 325 SW 2nd Ave in Cape Coral before they head to safety. Today and tomorrow the shelter is offering free crates for both cats and dogs to help keep your pets safe during the storm, the organization announced in a facebook post.

Crates can be picked up at the second door along the right side of the building today until 4 p.m. The shelter will also have crates available for pickup Tuesday between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Edison and Ford Winter Estates close for Hurricane Milton

From Amy Williams:

The historic winter homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford will be shuttered at 2 p.m. Monday until at least Friday, when they’ll reopen, weather permitting.

Hurricane shutters are being installed on the historic homes and buildings to protect the structures and artifacts, according to a release, and porch furniture in vulnerable locations will be moved inside. Antique cars on the Ford property will be moved into the museum.

This weekend’s orchid orchid sale/symposium will move to April 12-13 and will be combined with the Grow Fort Myers event.

Sand for bagging in Lee County: What's available

Monday morning the town of Fort Myers Beach announced it would close its town hall at noon. Staff are being sent home; no one will be around to monitor distribution of sandbags or the Hurricane Re-Entry pass.

Fort Myers Beach is under a Hurricane Watch and is projected to see between 5 and 10 feet of storm surge on the island.

All residents have been asked to evacuate the island by 3 p.m. today. The water to the island will be shut off by Lee County Utilities at noon today in order to protect infrastructure, a town press release said Monday.

All trailers, recreation vehicles, dumpsters, porta-potties and electric vehicles, like golf carts, must be removed from the island during evacuation.

Once it is safe to return to Fort Myers Beach, only those with the teal re-entry passes will be allowed back on-island. If you do not have a pass, you can pick one up by noon today at the town hall. Once the storm passes, if you need assistance with re-entry, town staff will be at two locations to hand out passes starting Thursday at 7 a.m.:

1. Target: 15880 San Carlos Blvd Ste 101, Fort Myers, FL 33908
2. Ace Hardware: 18911 S Tamiami Trl, Fort Myers, FL 33908

Pre-Hurricane Milton photo gallery

Bonita councilman says 'emergency evacuation order' coming at noon

From reporter Laura Layden:

From Councilman Chris Corrie in Bonita Springs: Lee County will issue an emergency evacuation order at noon. Bonita Springs will do so as well. It appears we will be on the south side of the hurricane which will likely produce a surge. The surge is also likely to be worse than from Helene as the ground is already saturated and the Imperial River is already at 10 ft. Anything above 10 ft. will be flooding. Please be prepared to lose power.The eye will likely be closer than the eye of Helene which will mean greater wind speed to knock down tree limbs and branches onto power lines. We have survived Ian and Irma. We will survive this one as well.

Regular operations for Bonita Springs cease at noon

From reporter Laura Layden:

The city of Bonita Springs has announced that regular operations will cease at noon today. Essential staff will continue to prepare for Hurricane Milton. City emergency operations personnel will continue to work before, during and after the storm. City communication channels will continue to be active, sharing updates from the Lee County Emergency Operations Center and city-specific information.

Bonita Springs resident shares storm experiences

From reporter Chad Gillis:

Ben Nelson, owner of Nelson’s Marine in Bonita Springs, lives along Lightner Creek, which flows into the Imperial River.

“It’s already high,” Nelson said of water behind his home. “It’s been raining so much that’s it’s already high and it’s very concerning. Very seldom do we get rainfall from the east and storm surge from the west.”

Nelson said Hurricane Milton could be a historic storm for this area.

“As a contractor, we’re preparing for an Ian-type of event,” Nelson said. “It’s hard to imagine anything worse than that."

Nelson grew up in the Bonita Springs area and has been through several hurricanes and floods.

“If you’re down on a canal, it’s time to go,” Nelson said. “If you’re at the beach, surf is coming.”

Sanibel Island's roads already flooded ahead of Hurricane Milton

Bonita Spring Hurricane Milton news

From reporter Laura Layden:

In a news release, the city of Bonita Springs said it's working with the Lee County Emergency Operations Center, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District and other partners to prepare. City staff has been clearing storm drains and securing facilities in preparation of Hurricane Milton.

The city emphasized again that residents who live in coastal or other flood-prone areas "do not need to wait for evacuation orders to mobilize."The city encourages residents living near the Imperial River and canals, to continue to monitoring water levels. The level of the Imperial River is currently at 10.31 feet.The city will provide a live update today. Residents can watch live on the city’s Facebook page at 1 p.m.

Any residents with water intrusion in their homes post-storm should send an email to floodinfo@cityofbonitaspringscd.org or call 239-444-6150 for assistance with permit requirements and resources.

Lee County Hurricane Milton update

From reporter Mickenzie Hannon:

Lee County officials announced two updates regarding public transit and water services at 8:54 a.m. Monday for Fort Myers Beach residents as Hurricane Milton approaches.

LeeTran will stop running routes to Fort Myers Beach at noon Monday. Transit services will shift to off-island routes only, following the town’s evacuation order.

Lee County Utilities will shut off water to Fort Myers Beach at noon Wednesday, as a precaution to protect infrastructure. A similar measure was implemented during Hurricane Ian in 2022.

Officials urge residents to stay informed by visiting the town’s website at fortmyersbeachfl.gov and following its social media accounts. Lee County updates are available at leegov.com/storm.

The Emergency Operations Center is scheduled for a briefing at noon Monday. It will be streamed on Lee County’s Facebook page, LeeTV and YouTube.

Fort Myers Beach: 3 p.m. evacuation order for today, info on re-entry passes

The Town of Fort Myers Beach issued an evacuation order for all residents Sunday. The Town encouraged residents and business owners to make a plan and to evacuate by 3 p.m. on Monday, October 7.

In a press release at 8:35 a.m. Monday, the Town shared residents can pick up updated hurricane re-entry passes at Town Hall today, October 7, until 3 p.m. If your pass is not the current version, it must be replaced. The old purple passes will no longer be valid for re-entry.

Fort Myers Beach: Water to be shut off on Wednesday at noon

Lee County Government has two important announcements for Fort Myers Beach residents:Public transit: LeeTran at noon today, Monday, Oct. 7, will stop running routes onto Fort Myers Beach. All LeeTran services will convert to off-island transit only. This is to assist with the Town of Fort Myers Beach’s request for residents to leave the island.Water: Lee County Utilities will shut off water to Fort Myers Beach at noon Wednesday, Oct. 8. This is a precautionary measure to protect infrastructure. It was also implemented during 2022’s Hurricane Ian.The county encourages Fort Myers Beach residents to continue to monitor the Town of Fort Myers Beach’s storm updates. Visit www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov and follow the Town’s social media channels.

Hurricane Milton: What to expect in Lee County

Hurricane Milton will be a life-threatening, landscape-changing storm that will go down in history.

The storm is expected to make landfall as a Category 3 hurricane, bringing winds of about 120 miles an hour, 5-to-10 feet of storm surge, inland flooding and tornadoes to Florida.

“The cone incorporates most the peninsula and now we have watches out,” said Rick Davis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Ruskin. “And if you’re in those area take this seriously because the impacts are going to be far and wide.”

As of Monday morning, Milton was forecast to make landfall somewhere between the Lee-Collier area and the Big Bend, which was recently hit hard by Hurricane Helene.

Rain chances are expected Monday and Tuesday in the Fort Myers area, and precipitation will fall occasionally throughout both days.

Come Wednesday, weather will switch from inconvenient to life-threatening, Davis said.

“Fifteen inches of rain is not out of the question, so we would have rainfall and flooding along creeks retention ponds because our soils are already saturated.”

Satellite capabilities on iPhones 14 and higher

Anyone with an iPhone 14 or higher can connect to a satellite if WiFi service is lost.

The service for Apple customers allows them to text emergency services, request roadside assistance, message friends and family and share a location.

Go to support.apple.com to learn more.

Sunday's Hurricane Milton headlines

• Fort Myers Beach officials order mandatory evacuations for residents by 3 p.m. today
• SW FL residents hit grocery stores and gas stations for supplies
• Sandbagging offered at communities throughout SW FL
• Lee County closes schools
• Photos: See images of people preparing around the Fort Myers area
• Live news blog for Lee County

Preparing for Hurricane Milton: Everything to know

From outside and inside your house, pets and additional resources, go HERE.

Video: Long lines at SW FL gas stations