Getty Hurricane Irma from space.
With Hurricane Irma posing a severe threat to Florida and moving toward the west coast in forecast models, many people are wondering whether Fort Myers, Florida is evacuating.
The answer, as of September 9, is that yes, there are expanded mandatory evacuations for some people in Lee County, including Fort Myers.
Here’s the latest information as of 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 9 that lists all evacuation orders For Lee County.
“Lee County Emergency Management has announced additional mandatory evacuations effectively immediately for Evacuation Zone B south of the Caloosahatchee in Fort Myers and Zone B south of Pine Island Road in Cape Coral.
A previous announcement put in place mandatory evacuations of Evacuation Zone A and portions of the Imperial River basin between East Terry, Bonita Beach Road and Interstate 75. That includes:
All of the barrier islands (Boca Grande/Gasparilla, Cayo Costa, Useppa, Cabbage Key, North Captiva, Captiva, Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach, San Carlos Island, Bonita Beach)
Cape Coral west of Burnt Store Road and south of Cape Coral Parkway, east of Del Prado Boulevard to Viscaya Parkway
North Fort Myers south of Bay Shore Road from Moody Road to State Road 31 and areas south of North River Road from State Road 31 to Fichters Creek.
Areas of Iona south of Maple Drive, west of U.S. 41
San Carlos Park west of U.S. 41,
Estero west of U.S. 41, north of the Estero River
Bonita Springs communities along Estero Bay and the Imperial River Basin.”
To see if you are in Evacuation Zone A, you can refer to this county map:
Hurricane conditions are now listed as possible on Sunday for Fort Myers, and a Hurricane Warning has now been issued for the area.
NWSSaturday midday forecast for Fort Myers.
Lee County made these announcements of evacuation shelters on September 9:
“Lee County Emergency Management will be announcing more shelter openings soon. As of 9 a.m. Saturday, here is the current status of shelters.
The following shelters are full:
Estero Recreation Center
Varsity Lakes Middle School
Island Coast High School
South Fort Myers High School
Space is available at other shelters open now:
East Lee County High School, 715 Thomas Sherwin Ave. Lehigh Acres
Harns Marsh MIddle School, 1820 Unice Ave. North Lehigh Acres
Oak Hammock Middle School, Fort Myers
These shelters will open at 10 a.m.:
Ray V. Pottorf Elementary, 4600 Challenger Blvd., Fort Myers
FGCU’s Alico Arena, 10501 FGCU Boulevard South, Estero
Germain Arena, 11000 Everglades Parkway, Estero
Note:
Pets are welcome at all shelters. Evacuees are reminded to bring crates or at least have pets on leashes. Germain Arena advises they do not have pet-sheltering capabilities. However, no one will be turned away from the shelter while capacity remains.”
The county’s website has an interactive map in which you can select layers for open shelters, evacuation routes, active evacuations, and evacuation zones.
However, that information is date specific and could change as Irma nears Florida.
National Hurricane Center
According to News-Press.com, writing on September 6, officials are worried the Fort Myers public will mistakenly think that recent forecast models showing the hurricane moving east means the area won’t feel Irma’s wrath. The models are just projections, and the hurricane is very unpredictable.
On September 6, the county also advised:
“While the Special Needs Registration closes once Lee County enters the five-day error cone, residents who are not currently registered can go to a general-population shelter when and if they open. Once there, these residents will be triaged and if needed, transported to other facilities that can better meet their needs.”
“The United Way 211 Help Line is activated for those with questions. Although call takers are receiving many inquiries, the United Way 211 line is responding to all calls,” the county added.
The county has a help line. “The 211 Help Line is now up and running for people who have questions or need information related to the storm. To access the Help Line, dial 2-1-1 or 239-433-3900. United Way 211 staff will assist by providing information from the Lee County Emergency Operations Center and also will connect people to resources that may help. The 211 Help Line is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Lee County wrote.
NOAA/NHCHurricane Irma rainfall total estimates from the National Hurricane Service.