Lee County Officials Waiting for Safe Conditions to Assist Those ‘Desperate for Help’

LEE COUNTY (FLV) – Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said Wednesday night there are residents “desperate for help” but law enforcement officials need to wait for sustained winds to drop below 45 miles per hour before being allowed to help.

“The frustrating part is that we’re waiting,” Marceno said.

Marceno said they have received calls from residents who have been “hit very hard.” He could not provide the exact number of calls during the press conference.

“And we are prioritizing them so that the second it goes under 45 miles per hour, we get back out there with one second, we’re gonna be right out,” he said.

The sheriff is unclear about the extent of the damage since deputies have not scoped out the area due to wind speeds. However, they have received reports of buildings compromised and vehicles floating.

Lee County is under a curfew beginning at 6 p.m. but the sheriff noted it is difficult for them to enforce because of the current wind speeds. Lee County officials reported earlier a looting situation, leading Marceno to reiterate his “zero tolerance” position on those preying on people during a hurricane.

“We’re not going to tolerate that,” he said. “My message is very clear to those that think they’re going to loot: Go somewhere else.”

An hour prior, Lee County officials said in a press conference that parts of the county had been “decimated.” They described “tremendous” damage on Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach.