Hurricane Helene's impact was felt far and wide around Florida

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Collier County is in recovery mode from the impact of Helene today (September 27). There was significant storm surge throughout the county, from Naples Pier to Marco Island, Tin City and Goodland.

This story continues to develop and our reporters and photographers are providing coverage from various locations in Collier County again today, bringing the latest updates on flooding, damage, outages and what you need to know.

Useful links

power failure: LCEC power map is HERE.

power failure: FPL’s tracker is HERE.

power failure: HERE for the US blackout tracker

AIRPORT: RSW’s flight tracker for delays, cancellations

Trending news journalist Kendall Little interviewed Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann, who provided information the day after Hurricane Helene passed off the coast. Even though the storm has passed, it’s very important to stay off the roads, Heitmann said, adding, “We have to have emergency crews and crews getting the area back to a safe place.” Garbage collection is underway and running Thursday route today and will run Friday route Saturday. Crews are out dealing with debris on the roadways and removing debris from stormwater grates that will be followed by Street Sweeping, Heitmann said. “We are evaluating the stormwater system to begin cleanup this afternoon.” Gordon Drive south of 3525 Gordon Drive is blocked by sand. Work is underway to open the road to allow access by emergency vehicles and the local public.

“We ask non-local traffic to avoid the area,” said the mayor. Two main thoroughfares that have standing water are Second Street south and Gulf Shore Boulevard south of 12th Avenue South. Other topics:

Tesla brand: The building department did a preliminary assessment of the south parking garage after the vehicle (Tesla) fire on Thursday evening. “They have identified some concerning cracks that require a structural engineering review,” Heitmann said. “We are hiring an engineer from our library of suppliers and hope to have them in place as quickly as possible. In the meantime, the building department has no pavement and requested barricades to close off the South Garage.”

Naples Pier: The pier had significant wave action and will require evaluation for safety on the remaining portion. In an abundance of caution, the pier will be closed, west of the stairs, until an evaluation can be made. The update will include a complete list of all streets that still have standing water.

Standing water and dirt remain after Hurricane Helene in Naples

Low-lying areas in central Naples still had standing water the day after Hurricane Helene passed on September 26, 2024.

Collier County is advising residents about storm debris collection

Collier County Solid Waste advises customers to place storm debris curbside on their regular collection day. Customers can follow these steps to ensure that yard waste is collected safely and efficiently.

Bundle it: Keep bundles under 50 pounds. Secure them with twine and limit their length to 4 feet. Remember that branches should not be larger than four inches in diameter.
Bag It: Use only paper waste bags for leaves, grass and trimmings.
Container It: Use 45-gallon containers for your waste, making sure they weigh less than 50 lbs. when it is full.

Customers with a large amount of trash (over 50 pounds or longer than 4 feet) should call (239) 252-2380 to report it.

More information is available at www.colliercountyfl.gov/collection.

City of Bonita Springs and Lee County crews will clean Hickory Boulevard and side streets today, Sept. 27, business reporter Laura Layden reported.

Residents are allowed and encouraged to return to the island; But the city is urging those who don’t need to be here today to stay away while cleanup from Hurricane Helene is underway. Bonita Springs has crews evaluating parks, beaches, roads, ponds and sweeps and flooded structures throughout the city.

“Be aware of permit requirements for post-storm repairs,” the city says. “It is very important for residents who may have experienced wind damage or water intrusion in their homes to understand that permits are required for repairs in the area of special flood risk.”

Contact Bonita Springs Community Development at 239-444-6150 for assistance with permit requirements and resources. Bonita Springs residents with water intrusion in their homes after the storm can send an email to [email protected]. For additional information, visit community development website.

“While CCPS is closed today for school/work, we have checked all campuses, including athletic facilities, and confirm that CCPS activities will be held as previously scheduled, including Friday night football and all scheduled events for Saturday,” the school district confirmed Friday morning.

Storm surge from Helene swept dirt into streets and parks in Naples

The Lowdermilk Park parking lot remained closed Friday morning, September 27, 2024 after Hurricane Helene passed through a day earlier.

All four Collier County senior meals will be closed Friday, Sept. 27 due to flooding in some areas and for customer safety. The sites will reopen on Monday, September 30.

Closed meal locations: East Naples Community Park, 3500 Thomasson Drive; Collier Senior Center (formerly Golden Gate Senior Center), 4898 Coronado Parkway, Naples; Goodlette Arms, 950 Goodlette Road N., Naples; and Immokalee Beraca Church, 905 Roberts Ave., Immokalee.

Naples Police Chief Ciro M. Dominguez has a message for those who want to dive from the Naples Pier.

“The problem with pier jumping is that there is a possibility or potential for injury with drowning or hitting objects underwater,” he told Little.

“High-risk venture and pulls police resources away from other duties. We need to be able to respond to medical calls, alarms, stranded cars … people who need us. This reckless behavior is dangerous to ourselves and distracts us insufficiently from helping others. We will to prosecute and arrest but prefer cooperation and a sense of conscience.”

Two restaurant buildings decimated by Hurricane Ian sustained minimal damage from Hurricane Helene, food and restaurant journalist Diana Biederman said.

Flo’s Clam Shack founder Komes Rozes, whose longtime employee Will Walker owns the Naples location, said minimal water seeped in and there was no power outage. Rozes said Flos expects to open late in the afternoon on Sept. 27. The building was formerly BAMZ, which was decimated by Hurricane Ian in 2022; shortly thereafter, the Tontodonato family sold their space to a new owner who could not make it work.

On Real macaw on Bayshore Drive, was leaking minimal water and moving quickly, according to owner Siobhan Cleveland. On September 25, she announced that her seat would not be open on September 26. On Friday, she makes sure everything is dry and cleans up minor debris.

Naples Pier is open, “up to just beyond the stairs,” said Lt. Bryan McGinn, public information officer for the Naples Police Department, in an email to Business Journalist Laura Layden. He added: “The toilets are not open at the moment and I don’t have an ETA on when they will reopen.”

On Facebook, the Naples Police Department said they are closely monitoring the areas affected by flooding overnight. Currently, all major thoroughfares are passable within the city of Naples, such as US 41, Goodlette-Frank Road, and Crayton Road.

As the sun rises, damage assessments will begin. The department continues to urge the public to stay off the roads, unless absolutely necessary.

Currently the following local roads/areas remain impassable:

South of Gulf Shore Boulevard South and 13th Avenue South
South of Gordon Drive and 13th Avenue South
Sandpiper Street south of Blue Point Avenue

In a morning update on Facebook, the City of Naples Police Department reported about 4 feet of sand covering the roadway near the south end of Gordon Drive. Officials are asking the public and contractors not to travel on Gordon Drive south of the Port Royal Club.

RSW confirmed that airlines serving the airport in Southwest Florida plan to resume flights today, September 27. “There will be delays and cancellations,” the airport reported. Check with your airline for the latest information.

FPL says crews are working to restore power between weather bands as conditions allow.

In Collier County, 13,730 of its 236,040 are without power. And on Marco Island, only three LCEC customers are still without power.

A reminder that Collier County Public Schools will be closed on Friday. The district made the announcement shortly after 11 p.m. Thursday. Earlier Thursday, the district had said classes would resume Friday after being closed for the day as Helene passed in the Gulf.

Also closed Friday: The Village School of Naples, Florida Gulf Coast University and Marco Island Academy on Marco Island.

Because the rain caused widespread flooding in some areas, there may be delays in Friday’s delivery of the Naples Daily News.

Coastal Naples as well as any barrier islands will be delivered the next day as some bridges have been closed.
Everything near water has experienced major storm surges and roads are impassable.
Marco Island may not be available for newspaper delivery for at least a day or two.

Hurricane Helen: Watch for the storm’s arrival on Thursday

Here are some of the top stories from Wednesday’s coverage:

Video coverage of Hurricane Ian

Hurricane Helene draws crowds at Bonita Beach

Dozens showed up at Bonita Beach on the afternoon of Sept. 26, 2024, as Hurricane Helene brewed.

Photo galleries

Here are some of the photo galleries taken Wednesday showing Hurricane Helene’s wrath. Although Collier County and Southwest Florida were not directly affected by what turned into a Category 4 storm Thursday night, there was significant storm surge and flooding.

Hurricane Helene’s impact was felt far and wide around Florida