UPDATE: City provides update on tropical storm
UPDATE:
The city of Sanibel reported that it continues to monitor Tropical Storm Idalia.
The National Hurricane Center has issued a Tropical Storm Warning and a Storm Surge Warning for Florida’s Gulf Coast, which includes Sanibel and Lee County. The NHC expects to upgrade Idalia to a hurricane within the next 12-hours. To view the most recent information from the NHC, visit https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at5.shtml?start#contents.
Mayor Richard Johnson has issued a mayoral proclamation declaring a Local State of Emergency.
“It is important that we closely monitor the storm updates from the National Weather Service. After experiencing Hurricane Ian, all Sanibelians understand the dangers of storm surge,” he said. “I strongly encourage anyone staying in an Ian damaged home or a temporary trailer, to leave Sanibel and find higher and safer ground outside the city limits where you can weather the storm.”
The Sanibel City Hall will be closed on Aug. 29, and only essential city workers will be on duty. The city will be answering phone calls at 239-472-3700. In addition, Lee County government offices and the School District of Lee County will be closed on Aug. 29.
The city is working closely with Lee County as the county’s Emergency Operations Center has been activated and is closely monitoring storm development.
Sanibel residents, business owners and visitors should closely monitor the storm through the NHC (https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/) and the National Weather Service (https://www.weather.gov/) as it moves northward. Hurricane forecasts may change with each update. To view the National Weather Service’s information on “What to Do Before the Tropical Storm or Hurricane,” visit https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane-plan.
The city of Sanibel will continue to issue updates over the next few days. Please consider registering with Alert Lee to receive emergency notifications from Lee County and with the City of Sanibel to receive City Announcements.
The city reported that it will continue to issue updates over the next few days. The public should consider registering with Alert Lee at https://alertlee.com/ to receive emergency notifications from the county and with the city at https://www.mysanibel.com/government/city-manager-s-office/useful-links/sign-up-for-city-announcements to receive city announcements.
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ORIGINAL (Aug. 27, 2023):
The National Hurricane Center has released its 10 a.m. update on Tropical Storm Idalia.
At 10:30 a.m. today, Aug. 27, the city of Sanibel reported that the public should closely monitor the storm through the National Hurricane Center (https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/) and National Weather Service (https://www.weather.gov/) as it moves northward. As of its announcement, the meteorologist who provides forecast information to the city advised the following:
– Consensus forecasts currently show the storm staying to the west and north of Sanibel.
– Showers and storms from the approaching tropical system should be occasional.
– Wind of 20-30 mph should not be experienced until the afternoon on Aug. 29 through the morning of Aug. 30. Sanibel could experience wind gusts of 40 mph.
– Rainfall from the system could be 1-3 inches.
– Currently, the probability of Tropical Storm force winds on Sanibel is 10%.
– Please stay vigilant and monitor the storms forecast for any changes to its intensity and track.
The city noted that the Warnings/Cone (track) on the National Hurricane Center’s map illustrates the potential track for the center (eye) of the storm and not the outer bands of the storm.
On Aug. 26, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order declaring a State of Emergency in 33 counties, including Lee County. “I encourage Floridians to have a plan in place and ensure that their hurricane supply kit is stocked,” he said. To view the National Weather Service’s information on “What to Do Before the Tropical Storm or Hurricane,” visit https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane-plan.
The city reported that it will continue to issue updates over the next few days. The public should consider registering with Alert Lee (https://alertlee.com/) to receive emergency notifications from the county and with the city to receive announcements (https://www.mysanibel.com/government/city-manager-s-office/useful-links/sign-up-for-city-announcements).
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