CHARLOTTE COUNTY
Schools
- Charlotte County Public Schools will close their doors on Thursday, September 26, and Friday, September 27, safeguarding the well-being of students and staff.
- Kingsway Elementary will serve as a shelter and will close at noon on Wednesday, September 25. Residents are encouraged to seek refuge in schools that have opened their doors. After-school activities for Wednesday, September 25, are canceled, except for on-campus daycare programs, which will continue to operate. The decision regarding Friday night high school events will depend on the storm’s development and impacts.
Evacuations & Shelters
- Evacuations are mandated for those living in barrier islands, low-lying and flood-prone areas, manufactured homes, and homes compromised by previous storms, underscoring the urgency of safety.
- Two shelters will be accessible as of 1 p.m. on Wednesday at Harold Avenue Regional Park, located at 23400 Harold Ave., and Kingsway Elementary School at 23300 Quasar Blvd., both in Port Charlotte.
Bus Service
- Charlotte County Transit Service will suspend regular operations on Wednesday and Thursday. Notifications will be sent to customers with reservations.
Trash
- WM will pause all waste collection services, including commercial and residential trash, yard waste, and recycling in Charlotte County on Thursday, September 26. Residents can expect their collections to be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week; Thursday collections will take place on Friday and Friday collections on Saturday.
COLLIER COUNTY
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Residents can prepare for the storm by collecting sand, empty sandbags, and shovels available at two Collier County parks starting Tuesday, September 24, at 3 p.m. until dusk. Pickup locations include North Collier Regional Park, 15000 Livingston Road, Naples, FL 34109, in the Sun-N-Fun Lagoon parking lot, and Donna Fiala Eagles Lakes Community Park, 11565 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL 34113.
DESOTO COUNTY
- Desoto County Schools will close on Thursday, September 26, reflecting a collective approach to safety.
GLADES COUNTY
- Glades County Schools, in a measured response, report no planned closures at this moment.
HENDRY COUNTY
- The Hendry County School District will dismiss students early on Wednesday at 11:15 a.m., overlooking lunch service and prioritizing their safety.
LEE COUNTY
Schools
- Lee County School District announces that all schools will close on Thursday, September 26. After-school activities will conclude by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25, with all activity buses canceled. However, After Care will remain operational until 6 p.m.
- The district will reassess the situation on Friday and announce any plans on Thursday afternoon, showcasing their adaptive strategy.
- Florida Gulf Coast University is set to close its campus for all activities, including classes and events, starting 9 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25, continuing through Thursday. An update about Friday operations will arrive by 3 p.m. on Thursday.
- Florida SouthWestern State College will shift to remote learning on Thursday, September 26, and Friday, September 27, showcasing the institution’s versatility.
Sandbags
- For information on sandbags, residents may refer to local resources.
Trash
- Lee County will halt all residential garbage, yard waste, and recycling collection on Thursday, anticipating strong winds from the storm. Collections will experience a one-day delay for the rest of the week. Thursday pickups will occur on Friday, and Friday’s collections will occur on Saturday, with services returning to normal on Monday, September 30.
Bus Services
- LeeTran will suspend services on Thursday, September 26, due to the forecasted storm conditions, focusing on community safety.
Safe Havens
- Two Safe Havens will remain open for residents at the North Fort Myers Recreation Center and the Estero Recreation Center, providing essential refuge for those in need.
SARASOTA COUNTY
County officials will issue an evacuation alert for Level A and manufactured home communities starting Wednesday, September 25, at 7 a.m., urging residents in Zone A to heed the mandatory evacuation notice. Evacuation Centers in Sarasota County will open their doors at noon on Wednesday, exemplifying the collective responsibility to safeguard the community.
