Multiple Counties Issue Curfews as Residents Warned to Avoid Flooded Roads

FLORIDA (FLV) – Multiples cities and counties in Florida are now under a mandatory curfew as a result of Hurricane Ian.

Lee County, Collier County, The City of Naples, Charlotte County, Flagler County, and Volusia County are currently under curfews.

Lee County

Lee County will enforce a curfew Wednesday starting at 6:00 p.m. until further notice.

Officials report a looting incident occurred at a gas station, although more information was not immediately available during Wednesday evening’s press conference.

Lee County Utilities issued a system-wide Boil Water Notice immediately for customers.

Collier County

Collier County is under a curfew beginning at 10:00 p.m. until September 29 at 6:00 a.m.

Charlotte County

Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell and Punta Gorda Police Department Chief Pam Davis have enacted a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for all of Charlotte County, including the City of Punta Gorda, effective Wednesday, Sept. 28.

The curfew will be in place until further notice. Violation of the curfew is a misdemeanor.

Flagler County

Flagler County is also under a curfew as of 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

Volusia County

Volusia County will have a curfew in effect from 8 p.m. on Wednesday through Thursday and will resume from 8 p.m. Thursday through 7 a.m. Friday.

Naples

The City of Naples issued an emergency citywide curfew until further notice as law enforcement tells residents to stay off the roads.

“The City of Naples has issued an emergency citywide curfew to protect and safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of City of Naples residents, visitors, and first responders,” the Naples Police Department said.

The Naples Police Department notified residents on Facebook of roads that are flooded. The Naples Fire-Rescue Department posted a video of a fire on the road next to fallen trees as they warned residents to avoid traveling.

Power Outages

More than one million Florida customers are without power due to Hurricane Ian as of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The Collier County Emergency Management held a press conference at 1 p.m., noting that the fallen trees and damaged power lines will probably not be taken care of until Thursday.

“There are very dangerous travel conditions now and throughout the evening and into tomorrow as we work to get our crews in to address those concerns,” Collier County Bureau of Emergency Services Director Dan Summers said.

The county encouraged those in the area not to dial 911 unless it is an emergency. The county’s emergency hotline is 311 or 239-252-8444.

Marco Island Update

The Marco Island Police Department announced around 3 p.m. that all roads and bridges are impassable and urged residents to take shelter and move to the highest point of the home.

“Leaving your home is too dangerous, emergency services can not get to you under this conditions,” the Marco Island Police Department said.

For more information on Hurricane Ian, visit the National Hurricane Center.