SWFL faces flooding as Helene approaches

Although Hurricane Helene is raging far offshore, the Category 2 storm brought heavy rains to Southwest Florida and caused significant flooding in many areas.

Streets are under water and residents are being urged to stay in their homes as water levels continue to rise.

Lee County

Fort Myers

• Edison Bridge heading north
• Poinsettia Avenue and First Street
• Westbound: Palm Beach Boulevard at Seaboard Street
• Park Ave and Second Street
• All residential side streets of First Street
• Evans Ave and Providence Street
• West First Street from Monroe Street to Carson Street
• Heitman Street from Main Street to West First Street
• Southbound ramp from the Caloosahatchee Bridge onto West First Street
• Bay/Hendry
• Bay/Heitman
• W First/Vilnius
• W First/Beau Rivage
• Hendry/Edwards
• Bay/Dean
• W First/Clifford
• Berry St. between W. Retta Esplanade and W. Marion Ave.
• Brown St. between E. Marion Ave. and E. Olympia Ave.
• Chasteen St. between W. Olympia and W. Retta Esplanade
• Chasteen St., Berry St., Dolly St., Gill St., Sullivan St. (between W. Retta Esplanade and W. Marion Ave.)
• Dolly St. between W. Marion Ave. and W. Retta Esplanade
• Dupont St. and E. Marion Ave.
• E. Marion Ave. and Cooper St.
• Gill St. between W. Retta Esplanade and W. Marion Ave.
• McGregor St. and W. Olympia Ave.
• MLK between E. Marion and E. Olympia
• Nesbit St. (between E. Olympia and E. Marion and E. Marion Ave. and Tamiami Trail)
• Nesbit St. between E. Marion Ave. and Tamiami Trail
• Nesbit St. between E. Olympia and E. Marion
• Rio Villa Dr. at Almar Dr
• Rio Villa Dr. at Vasco St
• Sullivan St. between W. Retta Esplanade and W. Marion Ave.
• Taylor St. between W. Retta Esplanade and W. Marion Ave.
• W. Marion Ave. between Dolly St. and Maud St.
• W. Marion Ave. between Tamiami Trail and Shreve St.
• Wood St. between E. Marion Ave. and E. Olympia Ave.

Fort Myers Beach

Strong gusts of wind, large waves and heavy rain showers from Helene’s outer bands raise the water on the sand.

There is also flooding at Times Square and Second Street.

Sanibel

According to the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District, water is beginning to flow over the wall at Blind Pass. The road is covered in debris but still passable.

Other areas on the island with noticeable flooding include Lighthouse Beach Park, Bailey Road, the intersection of Dixie Beach Road and Poinciana and Bowman’s Beach Road.

Currently, the Sanibel Causeway roadway is not flooded, but the Sanibel Fire Department strongly advises people not to drive through the flooded areas and to seek alternate routes.

The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District has two flood vehicles on the island to assist in responding to emergency calls.

Charlotte County

Punta Gorda

The northbound US 41 bridge over the Peace River is closed until further notice due to road flooding.

Due to the outer reaches of Hurricane Helene, streets along Gilcrest Park are already flooded and water is pouring out of the storm drains. Road closure signs have been posted along these streets in preparation for severe flooding.

The sewers on Chasteen Street are overflowing and the water is reaching lawns, sidewalks and driveways of homes.

There are signs along the road saying “Road Closed” as the area is prone to flooding, and police are on the road to make sure no one is on the road.

Due to flooding from Hurricane Helene, Beach Road in Englewood is closed from State Road 776 to the Charlotte-Sarasota county line.

• Taylor St / W Retta Esplanade to W Marion Ave
• Wood St / E Marion St
• Wood St / E Olympia Ave
• MLK / E Marion Ave
• MLK / E Olympia Ave
• Chasteen St / W Olympia Ave to W Retta Esplanade
• Berry St / W Retta Esplanade to W Marion Ave
• Dolly St / W Marion Ave to W Retta Esplanade
• Gill St / W Retta Esplanade to W Marion Ave
• Sullivan St / W Retta Esplanade to Tamiami Trail
• Nesbit St / E Olympia to E Marion
• Rio Villa Dr / Vasco St
• Rio Villa Dr / Almar Dr
• Brown St / E Marion Ave to E Olympia Ave
• Nesbit St / E Marion Ave to Tamiami Trail
• Dupont St / E Marion Ave
• W Marion Ave/Dolly St to Maud St
• E Marion Ave / Cooper St
• W Marion Ave / Tamiami Trail to Shreve St
• McGregor St / W Olympia

Collier County

Naples

Collier County is expected to be one of the first counties to feel the effects of the expected 2 to 4 inches of storm surge from Hurricane Helene on Thursday afternoon and evening.

According to the Naples Police Chief, he and his team are on the front lines and ready to respond to any emergencies that Helene brings.

The Naples Pier is experiencing heavy rain, strong wind gusts and lightning, and ankle-deep puddles are forming on 13th Avenue and surrounding streets.

Collier shelters are located at North Collier Regional Park, East Community Park and the Golden Gate Community Center. Dogs and cats are allowed but will be housed separately from guests. These shelters close at 8 p.m. on Thursday.

Below is a list of road closures due to flooding:

• Hamilton Avenue
• Danford Street
• Becca Avenue
• Shoreview ride
• Weeks Avenu
• Estey Avenue is flooded at Holiday Lane
• Brookside Drive
• Gulf Harbor Cruise
• Goodland drive
• Gordon Drive from 15th Ave S, 16th Ave S, 17th Ave S and 18th Ave S.
• Gordon Drive from Kingstown Drive to Cutlass
• Sandpiper Drive in Royal Harbor
• 8th Street South & 9th Street South at Naples Landings and City Dock
• South of the 3000 block of Gordon Drive
• 10th Street South, east to Goodlette Frank Road South
• 10th Street South and 4th Avenue South
• Gulf Shore Blvd South and 13th Avenue South