Lee County grapples with damaged roads, loss of power from Milton
Approximately 145,000 homes and businesses were without electricity Friday, two days after Hurricane Milton downed power lines, flooded roads and scattered debris while leaving its worst damage for counties to the north.
More than 200,000 homes and businesses lost power during the hurricane.
Lee County officials were urging residents on Friday to stay off the roads if possible to allow crews to make repairs. Residents were also asked to avoid local beaches for the next couple days while the cleanup continues. The Lee Department of Health also issued health warnings to avoid going into the water due to health risks.
In Matlacha, a tornado touched down ahead of Hurricane Milton on a day when the National Weather Service reported a record number of tornadoes for Florida.
Half of the county’s traffic signals in the county were not working at intersections a day after Hurricane Milton blew across Florida and crews were still working to repair the lights and restore power. There were also gas shortages related to the loss of power and internet.
In Lee County, Captiva and Boca Grande were hit hardest. The approach to Blind Pass Bridge in Captiva was damaged. County crews were working to restore access to Boca Grande after sections of Gasparilla Road were washed out, Lee County Public Safety Director Ben Abes said.
Other roads were damaged and the county is also assessing all of its bridges, Abes said.
“The longer you can stay off the roads, it is really important for you to do so,” Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane said. “We need your cooperation a little bit longer,” Ruane said in a plea to the public. “Stay indoors. Let us restore power,” he said.
Abes said debris pickup would begin on Monday.
The good news was there were no deaths reported in the county attributed to Hurricane Milton — a scenario far different than two years ago when Hurricane Ian killed dozens in a Category 4 hurricane. Forecasts had been warning of a catastrophic hurricane that could bring damage as bad as Ian though the worst part of the storm was felt in Sarasota County where Ian made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno urged residents on Thursday to stay off local roads if possible. “If you don’t have to be outside, don’t come out just yet. Let us do our assessments,” he said.
Marceno said the Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to more than 600 storm-related calls.
He said low-lying areas of the barrier islands in the county saw “significant surge.”
The worst storm surge was seen in the county’s barrier islands, where surge levels approached six feet. The National Weather Service recorded the second-highest storm surge for Lee County, exceeding Hurricane Helene.
“This is when strangers help strangers,” Marceno said.
More than 9,000 people sought safety in county shelters overnight Wednesday. By Friday, the county was only using one shelter at the Estero Recreation Center.
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott joined county officials for a briefing on Thursday at the Lee County Emergency Operations Center. Scott said he was thankful there were no reported deaths in Lee County but said residents had to be extra cautious not to get hurt while recovering from Milton and repairing damage.
“Don’t use a chainsaw if you don’t know how to use it,” Scott said. “We all have to be careful. Take your time.”
Scott said there was bad storm surge throughout the barriers islands of Lee County and other parts of the state.
Unexpected tornadoes throughout the state led to deaths including several in St. Lucie County, Scott said.
“We had some horrible tornadoes.”
The Associated Press reported at least 16 deaths statewide from Hurricane Milton.
Scott said he spoke with President Joe Biden Thursday morning.
“He agrees that Congress needs to come back and make sure federal agencies are fully funded,” Scott said.
Scott said he has spoken with Biden about getting block grants to farmers and ranchers and getting FEMA centers open as close to impacted residents as possible.
Scott called on the public to contact his office if they have any problems with FEMA.
Abes said the county was sending community mobilization teams heading to Boca Grande, Pine Island, Matlacha, Captiva, Sanibel, Cabbage Key and Fort Myers Beach to work on local needs.
County crews were addressing sand that had overrun Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel roads. Fort Myers Beach had recently completed beach renourishment and sand hauling projects.
“Let’s be really grateful for what has occurred,” Ruane said. “We could have really been hit a lot harder.”
Ruane urged residents to “be patient” as the county works to recover.
Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt said that Milton was “worse than Helene but not as bad as Ian.”
Atterholt said there was some “exhaustion” among residents having to go through another hurricane but said islanders were showing “resilience.”
The town issued mandatory evacuation orders but was welcoming back residents Thursday morning. There was one report of a collapsed structure that was undergoing construction.
In some areas of the county, life was already starting to return to normal
District 4 Commissioner Brian Hamman said he saw some residents eating out at restaurants.
The Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina in Fort Myers Beach, which saw its pool deck overrun with surging tides from Hurricane Milton, was expecting to get back online shortly, General Manager Bill Waichulis said. Workers were shoveling out piles of sand from the parking lot that Milton had carried from the beach.
Abes urged residents using power generator to do so safely and recommended users follow tips online and on Lee County Government’s website at www.leegov.com.
Abes also announced that the Southwest Florida International Airport resumed operations and flights Friday morning.
Debris pickup will begin Monday at sunrise. Abes said residents should keep separate piles for yard debris, appliances, electronics, construction and demolition debris. Do not put out debris in plastic bags (FEMA restriction).
“There are a lot of neighbors helping neighbors,” Lee County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Greenwell said. “That’s what makes Lee County strong. Please help your neighbors.”
To reach NATHAN MAYBERG, please email nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com