Live Updates: 58 deaths tied to Hurricane Ian, 42 in Lee, 3 in Collier
This is a live news blog with information about the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Southwest Florida Our reporters and photographers are spread out across Southwest Florida covering our communities and providing the latest information.
HERE IS THE LATEST ON SUPPLIES IN SWFL
7:30 p.m. | Lee up to 42 deaths, Collier with 3
Florida District Medical Examiners report hurricane deaths to the Medical Examiners Commission (MEC) following autopsy after confirming the death is storm-related. FDLE staffs the Florida Medical Examiners Commission.
There are now 58 deaths attributed to Hurricane Ian confirmed by the MEC from the counties below.
Collier – 3
Hendry – 1
Hillsborough – 1
Lake – 1
Lee – 42
Manatee – 2
Sarasota – 3
Volusia – 5
5:50 p.m. | Bonita Springs keeping eye on river
The Imperial River is rising, and City of Bonita Springs officials say they’re keeping a close eye on it.
Bonita residents should do the same, says the city's deputy mayor, Mike Gibson.
“The city is currently monitoring the river slowly rising,” Gibson said during a Facebook Live press conference about Hurricane Ian on Sunday afternoon. "We’d like to advise residents near rivers and canals to keep an eye on the water levels.
READ MORE:Bonita Springs updates: Imperial River rising after Hurricane Ian. Boil water notice lifted.
5:35 | Collier Co. resuming some public services Monday
Collier County services for the public will begin to resume Monday.
On Monday, normal county operations will reopen to the public. Parks and libraries will open on Tuesday with the exception of the Headquarters Library and South Regional Library which will be open Monday.
All county meetings currently noticed and on the county’s website calendar between Oct. 3-7 are canceled with the exception of the Development Services Advisory Committee.
5:10 p.m. | FGCU sets up call center to aid students, staff
Although the FGCU campus did not suffer much from Hurricane Ian, the same cannot be said for its students and faculty.
The university has had trouble locating and contacting its staff and students because of limited or no WiFi or cell connections. It posted a questionnaire on its website for people to check on Thursday after the storm, but not many did.
On Friday, the university launched a virtual call center — the FGCU Storm Recovery Call Center — to allow people to check-in. The thought was a call would be easier than an email or online form. The response was greater than expected and more staff had to be added to the call center to address the volume.
READ MORE:Hurricane Ian FGCU: University sets up call center to assess and assist students, staff needs
4:15 p.m. USPS urges change of address cards
Worried about receiving mail during reconstruction?
Hold Mail is designed for customers who plan on occupying their homes within 30 days. If you feel you will not be able to occupy your home within 30 days, you need to submit a Change of Address request with the Postal Service. Be sure to mark “Temporary” on the card.
A temporary change of address is designed for customers who plan on returning to their residence within six months. If you are NOT planning to return to your current address, please submit a permanent COA request.
A COA card is available from your letter carrier or at the Post Office. COA requests also may be filed at www.usps.com, the Postal Service’s website.
If you have any questions regarding mail delivery, contact the hotline at 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777). You will be provided specific information regarding delivery and retail services for each office in the affected area.
3:05 p.m. | RSW to start limited flights Wednesday
Southwest Florida International Airport will open Wednesday for limited commercial flights.
Here’s what you need to know:
* The initial hours of operation for security checkpoints will be 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with flights operating from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
READ MORE:Southwest Florida International Airport is opening Wednesday with limited flights
2:16 p.m. Air conditioning, lights returning to Naples, Collier
The city of Naples updated its power outages Sunday.
As of noon, 38% of customers in the city were without power, or 8,430 customers.
In Collier County, 25% of customers, or 57,950, were without power.
1:57 p.m. Collier sheriff, DeSantis pray for, serve lunch to first responders
Sheriff Kevin Rambosk and Gov. Ron DeSantis helped prepare and serve hot meals for the hero first responders on Sunday. Organized by First Naples Church on Orange Blossom Drive, community members helped.
Lead Pastor Dr. Alan Brumback led everyone in prayer for our first responders and our community.
“We are honored to serve in such a caring and supportive community," Rambosk said. "And much gratitude to Governor DeSantis for his support and leadership of our great Florida.”
1:33 p.m. Curfew remains in place for Naples, Collier
A mandatory curfew is in place for all of Collier County and the City of Naples from midnight to 6 a.m. It is anticipated the curfew will remain in effect until power is largely restored.
The curfew protects the safety of the citizens of Collier County and their property as they begin recovering from the effects of Hurricane Ian.
The curfew does not apply to emergency responders, employees at health care facilities, critical staff for businesses that provide essential services or those seeking medical assistance. Violation of the curfew is a second-degree misdemeanor.
Residents with questions may call the Hotline at (239) 252-8444 (within Collier County residents may dial 311).
12:17 p.m. Child's Path reopening Thursday
Child's Path early learning centers in Immokalee, Golden Gate, and Santa Barbara will reopen Thursday, Oct 6. Parents need to bring breakfast, lunch, and snack for their children on Thursday and Friday due to hurricane impact to the food program.
Child's Path Moorings does not have power and no reopening has been determined.
11:55 a.m. | Hurricane Ian: When will FPL restore all power in Florida?
Just because you can’t see Florida Power & Light crews in your neighborhood, that doesn’t mean they’re not working hard to restore your power.
Many of those crews are working behind the scenes and out of sight to restore electricity throughout Florida after Hurricane Ian, said Florida Power & Light’s Ed Devarona in a news briefing Sunday morning.
READ MORE:Hurricane Ian: When will FPL restore all power in Florida?
Free Kosher dinner in Bonita Springs
The Chabad of Bonita Springs, Estero & FGCU invites the community to a fresh war, Kosher at 5 p.m. today. The members say you may enjoy the air conditioning and charge your phones. The Chabad is at 24611 S Tamiami Trail ,Bonita Springs.
10:40 a.m. | For Marco Island, Ian and Irma both bring destruction
Marco Island has seen better days.
On some streets in the days after Hurricane Ian, it seemed like any other Saturday morning, save for the neat piles of vegetation along the streets, a fallen tree here and there and the occasional Pike truck restoring power.
An electronic messaging board alerted drivers that 911 was down and that boating was prohibited.
Elsewhere, residents dragged to the curb surge-soaked mattress, chairs, appliances, dressers — the list goes on.
Depending on who you ask, Hurricane Irma, which made a direct hit to the island city five years ago, was the most horrendous they’d experienced. Others, like 37-year-old Carl Johannes, say that title now goes to Ian.
“I would say Ian was worse. This is just–”
“This is catastrophic,” his son, Raymond, interjected.
READ MORE:In Marco Island, was direct-hit Irma worse than Ian? It depends on who you ask
Free meals for first responders, power company and service industry workers
Osteria Tulia, 466 Fifth Ave. S., is offering free to-go meals 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, to first responders, power company and service industry members. More at osteriatulia.com or 239-213-2073.
8:45 p.m. | Collier schools reopening Thursday
On Saturday night, Collier County Public Schools announced on social media that they will reopen on Thursday, October 6. In the post, the school district wrote it is still "assessing the academic calendar and storm impacts regarding Hurricane Make-up Days and will provide an update when information is available."
Community School of Naples Head of School Dr. David Watson also posted a message on social media Saturday night that normal classes will resume on Thursday as well.
Seacrest Country Day posted on Instagram it also plans to reopen Thursday as long as power is restored by early next week.
9:05 p.m. | Avoid using US 17 if traveling north or south
The Florida Highway Patrol is warning motorists traveling to Southwest Florida to use Interstate 75, State Road 80, State Road 60, State Road 31, or US 27 as OPEN roadways.
Motorists are strongly recommended to avoid using US 17 due to multiple road closures at:
US 17 closed from Carter Street to Fletcher Street
US 17 closed from Sweetwater to State Road 70
US 17 closed from Tennessee Street to Sweetwater
8:30 a.m. | Where can I get a hot meal in Naples?
Here are some of the restaurants we confirmed that are open and serving hot food to patrons.
WHO'S OPEN: Where to get a hot meal at Naples restaurants after Hurricane Ian