As of 5:35 a.m., the Sanibel Causeway remains closed. Both inbound and outbound lanes were closed as crews assess and remove debris from the roadway, city officials said. Updates will be provided.

CRAWFORDVILLE (AP) — Hurricane Helene strengthened into a Category 4 storm ahead of its expected landfall on Florida’s northwest coast Thursday night as forecasters warned that the enormous system could create a “nightmare” storm surge and bring dangerous winds and rain across much of ...

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — Fast-moving Hurricane Helene was advancing Thursday across the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida, threatening an “unsurvivable” storm surge in northwestern parts of the state as well as damaging winds, rains and flash floods hundreds of miles inland across much of the ...

Update: The School District of Lee County opted late Thursday evening to close all schools Friday following a decision to close schools on Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach, and Pine Island School due to "the increase in the storm’s intensity and expected high tide at 1 a.m, out of an abundance of ...

Fort Myers Beach sees some street flooding as Hurricane Helene moves past well offshore.

The National Weather Service has issued a 15-county tornado watch to remain in effect until 8 p.m. Counties include Lee, Collier, Charlotte and Sarasota in southwest Florida. Cities include Cape f Coral, Arcadia, Avon Park, Bayshore Gardens, Beverly Hills, Bonita Springs, Bowling Green, ...

Lee County Government has the following updates related to Hurricane Helene. The Lee County Emergency Operations Center is activated, and county staff and partners continue to work closely with state and federal partners, including the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the National ...

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County is advising the public not to enter the water due to the possible increased risk of water-borne illness. Swimming is not recommended. Public beaches Heavy winds and rain can negatively impact coastal waters. Excessive amounts of rain and storm ...

As Hurricane Helene continues to barrel its way through the Gulf of Mexico heading towards the Big Bend region of Florida, local officials have spread the word on what Southwest Florida residents can expect. Tropical-storm-force winds will make its way through Lee County and beyond, with ...

As Hurricane Helene moves north, the city of Cape Coral continues to monitor conditions, expecting residual tropical storm impacts this evening. The Emergency Operations Center remains activated, working closely with Lee County and various partners to assess the situation and ensure community ...