At 5:15 p.m. today, Oct. 8, city of Sanibel and island officials gave an update on Hurricane Milton.

Sanibel City Manager Dana Souza reported that the storm remains a Category 4 with 150 mph sustained winds. The predicted rainfall for the island is 4-8 inches, with 60-70 mph sustained winds.

“It’s important for all of you to continue to monitor the storm and follow the track over the next 24-36 hours. Slight shifts in direction are critically important to us,” he said, noting that Hurricanes Ian and Charley made right turn movements at the last minute and affected the community.

Souza continued that Milton is expected to make landfall near or north of Sanibel early Thursday morning. The predicted storm surge was 6-10 feet. However, he heard from Lee County Emergency Management’s director about the 5 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center on the storm.

“(It) shows that the storm has taken a slight bump to the south and that Sanibel is now expected to potentially see a storm surge of up to 12 feet,” Souza said. “We know from Hurricane Ian how significantly a storm surge of 12 feet is.”

He reported that the city has completed its storm preparations.

“I hope that residents and business owners have done the same,” Souza said, extending his thanks to the island’s residents, business owners and nonprofit organizations for preparing and evacuating.

“For those who have not evacuated Sanibel yet, I urge you to do so soon,” he added.

Souza reiterated that the mayor’s proclamation orders a mandatory evacuation for Sanibel and that Lee County has issued mandatory evacuations for Sanibel and all areas located in Zones A and B.

“Please heed these warnings. Leave now,” he said. “All of the barrier islands are vulnerable to this storm surge.”

Sanibel Police Department Deputy Chief Anthony Thompson, who is serving as acting chief, reported that many residents have already evacuated or are in the process of doing so.

He reminded the island that a city curfew will go into effect.

“The curfew will be in place on Sanibel starting at 10 p.m. and it will continue until further notice,” Thompson said, adding that the curfew prohibits any vehicular or pedestrian movement within the city’s limits, except for emergency services, utilities and city personnel who have been authorized by the city.

“We will strictly enforce the curfew,” he said.

Thompson reported that checkpoints will be set up near the Sanibel Causeway toll facilities to check traffic entering the island and on the causeway road to check traffic exiting the island. In addition, officers will be dispatched throughout Sanibel stopping vehicles and those in violation of the curfew.

“The curfew is in place to protect our residents, their homes and our businesses,” he said. “There is no reason for anyone to be on a barrier island at this time.”

Thompson noted that emergency services and responses will stop at 45 mph sustained winds.

“We will not be able to get to you,” he said.

“Please be safe, be vigilant, monitor the storm and, most importantly, adhere to the evacuation and curfew orders,” Thompson added. “Your cooperation is crucial in ensuring our collective safety.”

Sanibel Fire and Rescue District Fire Chief Kevin Barbot reported that the district is finishing its operations in preparation for Milton. After it has passed, the district will shift to search and rescue.

“This is a very big storm, with the potential of having a devastating impact to our island,” he said.

Barbot noted that the district will also suspended services at 45 mph sustained winds.

“That means we will not respond to help you,” he said. “You will be left alone, and you will not be taken care of.”

Barbot pointed to the potential for 12 feet of surge.

“That is going to be devastating to our island should we actually see a 12-foot storm surge,” he said. “It is not safe for our crews to respond, even when winds have calmed below 45 mph.”

Barbot encouraged those still left to gather their belongings and leave until the island is safe.

“Please leave the island at 10 p.m.,” he said.

Souza reported that the city will continue to issue updates.

“Our message today is not to scare you. It’s to prepare you for a scary storm that is coming our way,” he said. “So if you haven’t evacuated Sanibel, please do so now. I want to see all of you on the other side of this storm safe and sound in just a few days.”