Immigration Attorneys in Fort Myers, FL

Next week, voters in Fort Myers and Lee County may head to the polls for the primary election during early voting. The News Press gathered key dates and information:

When is the primary election in Florida?

The primary election is set for August 20, 2024. Winners of the primary election will move on to the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, if they face a challenger.

When does early voting for the primaries start and end?

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, August 10 - Saturday, August 17

See Early Voting wait times here: https://www.lee.vote/Early-Voting-Information/Early-Voting-Dates-and-Locations

What is early voting?

During early voting, a person can cast their ballot prior to Election Day at a location designated by the local Supervisor of Elections. The voted ballot is deposited into the tabulation voting system, the same equipment used on Election Day.

What should I bring with me to early voting?

Early voters should present the following at the early voting site:

What are the early voting locations in Lee County?

Important Vote by Mail deadlines

How can I request a Vote-By-Mail ballot in Lee County?

What information do I need to provide for a Vote-by-Mail request?

How do I fill out my ballot?

Where can I drop off my ballot in Lee County?

Vote-by-mail ballots may be dropped of at any of the Lee County Elections Offices from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Election Day (August 20)

Ballots may also be dropped off at Secure Ballot Intake Stations, which are located at each Early Voting site during the Early Voting period.

Voters can also track the status of their ballot at lee.vote.

Lee County closes Lynn Hall Memorial Park

Flooding on Curlew Street in Fort Myers Beach on Sunday. Photo provided

The Town of Fort Myers Beach declared a state of emergency Monday morning due to the effects of Hurricane Debby, which dropped about six inches of rain on the island between Saturday and Sunday. Lee County announced the closure of Lynn Hall Memorial Park on Fort Myers Beach.

According to the National Weather Service, the category 1 hurricane was about 100 miles off the coast of Fort Myers Beach though its effects were still strongly felt on the island with flooded out streets and homes. Winds reached up to 55 mph locally, according to the National Weather Service.

Fort Myers Beach Manager Andy Hyatt said the town experienced more than three feet of storm surge Sunday from the storm. “We’ve got some fencing down, we’ve got some debris,” he said.

Hyatt said the county is working on cleaning up from the storm and Florida Power and Light Company had one pole down.

During an emergency meeting Monday, Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt asked town operations director Frank Kropacek about the town’s ongoing stormwater project to address the town’s stormwater draining infrastructure that was damaged by Hurricane Ian and which has had issues since before Hurricane Ian.

Flooding on Curlew Street, which has been hit hard again by Tropical Storm Debby. Photo provided

“We had a big storm surge on the back bay. The way the wind was flowing, it really pushed the water back to the mangroves,” Kropacek said.

“We had a lot of flooding over the seawalls,” he said.

Kropacek said the town doesn’t have holding facilities for stormwater, “so everything that we catch stormwater-wise gets pushed back out onto the bay,” he said.

Kropacek said the town’s stormwater system is such that on a handful of streets that are at sea level or below sea level, a simple use of a garden hose can flood a street under certain situations.

Hyatt said the town’s contractor will be cleaning out storm drains.

Town employees have been busy since Sunday cleaning out sand that washed up on Times Square and into storm drains along Old San Carlos Boulevard. The town also just started a new beach renourishment project.

Residents on Fort Myers Beach reported flooded out streets, garages and in some cases six inches of water or more in their homes.

Fort Myers Beach Fire Chief Scott Wirth said the department ran about a dozen calls Sunday related to the storm and flooding.

“They were a variety of stalled vehicles, fire alarms, and powerline or arcing issues. We put out a special request for highwater vehicles and had two in district which we used on a couple of calls,” Wirth said. “With our mutual resources, there were no incidents that we were unable to respond to. Today has been quiet. However, high tide is in another hour so we will have to wait-and-see. At about 11 AM this morning the water was nearly to the top of the seawall so I expect some additional flooding from now until probably early evening but nothing like yesterday.”

Former Fort Myers Beach Councilmember Bill Veach who is nearing completion of repairs on his garage after it suffered heavy damage during Hurricane Ian, said “The water got within an inch or so of our garage floor. But there isn’t much there on the ground.”

Like many on the island since Hurricane Ian, Veach is still living in a trailer in front of his beachfront property. He watched Sunday as many motorists attempted to drive through the flooded Estero Boulevard. “Estero is flooded from storm surge and a parade of people are driving around.”

Luckily, the flooding did not impact his trailer. “There was a stream of water flowing under the trailer but it was clear,” he said.

The town and county have had stormwater issues on Fort Myers Beach that predated Hurricane Ian. A six-year project to rebuild Estero Boulevard along with a stormwater project in the town was damaged by Hurricane Ian. Lee County, which owns Estero Boulevard – the main road through the town, has said that drainage on the road is not working properly due to damage from Hurricane Ian. The county is working with the Federal Highway Administration to implement repairs.

Residents on Curlew Street who have complained about flooding and lack of proper drainage before Hurricane Ian, said the street was hit hard again by flooding on Sunday.

Nadine DeGenova said Monday she has been cleaning up from the flooding again in her home. She said the trouble started before Debby even hit. “We had at least two inches of water in our home,” DeGenova said. “The water in the street was flooding even before the storm. Nearly every home at our end of the street had water in their homes. So sad because the drainage problem has not been fixed.”

Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the downtown area which was hit hard by the flooding as well.

Sheriff Carmine Marceno said he deployed a swamp buggy, airboat, side by side’s, F250 trucks, and vessels to the island to assist with the flooding. The swamp buggy transported Lee County Sheriff’s Office members through the area during the storm surge.

“While many businesses on Ft Myers Beach are beginning to rebuild from Hurricane Ian, the rain bands from Tropical Storm Debby caused a substantial amount of flooding in Times Square and the area of Old San Carlos,” Marceno said.

Marceno personally went to the island to assist.

“As the Chief Law Enforcement Officer in the county, I recognize the importance of getting out there, and making our presence felt so the community feels supported during times of uncertainty,” he said.

Marceno said he encourages all residents to stay informed during this hurricane season.

“Have a plan in place for you and your family, and do not wait until the last minute to obtain essential items necessary to get through a weather event,” Marceno said. “While Florida weather can be unpredictable, my family members and I stand prepared to respond and assist with any event that comes our way.”

Lynn Hall Memorial Park on Fort Myers Beach has been temporarily closed by Lee County due to the effects of Hurricane Debby and work being done to clear sand out that washed up on the parking lot and throughout Times Square Sunday. The County is assessing damage to its parks. The county has also closed an access to Bonita Beach park and Bunche Beach Preserve.

According to the National Weather Service, a rip current risk remains through the evening.

The town council rescheduled its council meeting that had been scheduled for Monday to Wednesday at 9 a.m. at town hall.

Fort Myers Beach News

The Fort Myers Beach Town Council declared a local state of emergency Monday after Tropical Storm Debby's caused severe flooding and storm surge Sunday.

As the storm moved north through the Gulf of Mexico Sunday, Fort Myers Beach and nearby areas experienced heavy rain, storm surge and high tides, causing widespread flooding of roads, homes and businesses.

Fort Myers Beach faced the brunt of the storm’s outer bands, consisting of rough surf and strong winds.

"It turned out to be a little more than we expected, but nothing that we weren't anticipating and weren't prepared for," Town Manager Andy Hyatt said of the tropical storm.

Lee County was mobilizing Monday morning to do some street sweeping and cleanup, he shared at an emergency meeting.

"We didn't receive much damage, but we do have some cleaning to do." Hyatt said.

A state of emergency declaration gives the town certain emergency management and spending powers as it responds to a disaster.

Officials urged residents to shelter in place as emergency management teams began assessing damage and initiating cleanup efforts.

Hyatt highlighted that the storm surge was most severe at Old San Carlos and Times Square, but the town swiftly responded by clearing debris and collaborating with utility companies and county officials.

Reports estimated that floodwater on roads like San Carlos Boulevard and Captiva Drive peaked at over three feet of floodwater, prompting warnings against traveling from local authorities.

Nervous Nellie's also experienced severe flooding, as water entered the restaurant's hostess area and flooded the front sidewalks outside.

Danny Timothy, the general manager of Nervous Nellie's, said this level of flooding reminded him of Hurricane Idalia last year.

Most businesses closed Sunday in preparation for the storm. Like Timothy at Nervous Nellie's, however, some people were stuck inside with no way to get in or out due to the flooding.

Cleanup efforts will concentrate on clearing outfalls and ensuring all stormwater systems operate effectively. Town officials encouraged residents to check their storm drains and remove any debris to prevent blockages, as routine maintenance is crucial for preventing flooding.

The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch for Lee County, including Fort Myers Beach, until 8 p.m. Monday. The island remains under high surf, rip current and coastal flooding advisories until Tuesday evening.

The emergency meeting was streamed live on YouTube, and the resolution will remain in effect until further notice as the town continues to manage the storm's aftermath.

The City of Sarasota on Monday declared a local state of emergency, which is a procedural step to allow emergency funding for any necessary repairs.

Officials in North Port and in Fort Myers Beach met Monday morning to also declare local states of emergency.

Sarasota City Manager Marlon Brown approved the declaration in consultation and coordination with Sarasota County officials, Emergency Manager Todd Kerkering and Mayor Liz Alpert.

Additionally, in regards to city operations:

For the latest updates visit www.Sarasotafl.gov/Alerts Also, follow the City of Sarasota social media channels and monitor local news and weather reports.

Officials in the Town of Fort Myers Beach held an Emergency Town Council Meeting at 9 a.m. today, to declare a Local State of Emergency.

North Port officials did likewise at their commission meeting.

In North Port, city offices closed Monday included Warm Mineral Springs Park, North Port Aquatic Center, George Mullen Activity Center and the Morgan Family Community Center, as well as athletic fields.

Garbage, recycling, yard waste and bulk pickups will continue as scheduled for City of North Port customers.

Tonight's North Port United Tour meeting at American Legion Post 254 has been postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date.

Visit NorthPortFL.gov/Alerts for the latest updates and information.

In Charlotte County, residential curbside collection of garbage, recyclables, and yard trimmings on Palm Island is temporarily unavailable until further notice due to the closure of the ferry boat. Waste Management is unable to access the island at this time.

In Punta Gorda, all major roads have re-opened.

Roads currently closed due to flooding are Wood Street between Marion Avenue and Olympia Avenue and Berry, Dolly, Chasteen, and McGregor Streets between Retta Esplanade and Marion Avenue.

Ponce De Leon Park has reopened.

The Sunseeker boardwalk is closed due to high winds and water.

For Hurricane Debby information, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 941-833-4000.

Follow Charlotte County Emergency Management important emergency information at www.charlottecountyfl.gov/em, www.facebook.com/oemcharlottecounty, and www.twitter.com/ccoem.

On Sanibel, all City Beach Parking areas remain closed due to high water levels and residual flooding in parking lots. Information on re-openings will be announced as they become available.

Major roadways in the City are clear and traffic is moving as expected. The following roads still are experiencing some flooding and standing water. Drivers are reminded to use caution and avoid driving through flooded streets

Debris generated from storm damage appears to be minimal. Residents should not place any storm debris on the City right-of-way for collection and instead should place debris at the curbside for standard garbage and horticulture collection.All City of Sanibel offices are currently open and operating on a regular schedule

WGCU is your trusted source for news and information in Southwest Florida. We are a nonprofit public service, and your support is more critical than ever. Keep public media strong and donate now. Thank you.

TAMPA, FLORIDA —

The center of Hurricane Debby is expected to reach the Big Bend coast of Florida early Monday bringing potential record-setting rains, catastrophic flooding and life-threatening storm surge as it moves slowly across the northern part of the state before stalling over the coastal regions of Georgia and South Carolina.

Debby was located about 40 miles (70 kilometers) west of Cedar Key, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 kph). The storm was moving north at 12 mph (19 kph), the National Hurricane Center in Miami said early Monday.

Debby is the fourth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season after Tropical Storm Alberto, Hurricane Beryl and Tropical Storm Chris, all of which formed in June.

Forecasters warned heavy amounts of rain from Debby could spawn catastrophic flooding in Florida, South Carolina and Georgia.

The storm was expected to make landfall around midday Monday in the Big Bend area of Florida, north of Tampa, the hurricane center said. A tornado watch also was in effect for parts of Florida and Georgia until 6 a.m. Monday.

"Right now, we are trying secure everything from floating away," said Sheryl Horne, whose family owns the Shell Island Fish Camp along the Wakulla River in St. Marks, Florida, where some customers moved their boats inland. The sparsely populated Big Bend region in the Florida Panhandle was hit last year by Hurricane Idalia, which made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane.

"I am used to storms and I'm used to cleaning up after storms," Horne said.

Debby was expected to move eastward over northern Florida and then stall over the coastal regions of Georgia and South Carolina, thrashing the region with potential record-setting rains totaling up to 76 centimeter) beginning Tuesday. Officials also warned of life-threatening storm surge along Florida's Gulf Coast, with 1.8 to 3 meters of inundation expected Monday between the Ochlockonee and Suwannee rivers.

"There's some really amazing rainfall totals being forecast and amazing in a bad way," Michael Brennan, director of the hurricane center, said at a briefing. "That would be record-breaking rainfall associated with a tropical cyclone for both the states of Georgia and South Carolina if we got up to the 30-inch level."

Flooding impacts could last through Friday and are expected to be especially severe in low-lying areas near the coast, including Savannah, Georgia; Hilton Head, South Carolina; and Charleston, South Carolina. North Carolina officials were monitoring the storm's progress.

Officials in Savannah said the area could see a month's worth of rain in four days if the system stalls over the region.

"This is going to a significant storm. The word historic cannot be underscored here," Savannah Mayor Van. R. Johnson said during a press conference.

The hurricane center said at 11 p.m. that Debby was located about 161 kilometers west of Tampa, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph. The storm was moving north at 19 kph.

Debby's outer bands grazed the west coast of Florida, flooding streets and bringing power outages. Sarasota County officials said most roadways on Siesta Key, a barrier island off the coast of Sarasota, were under water. The hurricane center had predicted the system would strengthen as it curved off the southwest Florida coast, where the water has been extremely warm.

At a briefing Sunday afternoon, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned the storm could lead to "really, really significant flooding that will happen in North Central Florida."

The storm would follow a similar track to Hurricane Idalia but would "be much wetter. We are going to see much more inundation," he said.

A hurricane warning was issued for parts of the Big Bend and Florida Panhandle areas, while tropical storm warnings were posted for Florida's West Coast, the southern Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas. A tropical storm watch extended farther west into the Panhandle.

Tropical storms and hurricanes can trigger river flooding and overwhelm drainage systems and canals. Forecasters warned of 15 centimeters to 30 centimeters of rain and up to 46 centimeters in isolated areas of Florida.

Storm surge expected to hit Gulf Coast, including Tampa Bay

Flat Florida is prone to flooding even on sunny days and the storm was predicted to bring a surge of 0.6 to 1.2 meters along most of the Gulf Coast, including Tampa Bay, with a storm tide of up to 2.1 meters north of there in the Big Bend region.

Forecasters warned of "a danger of life-threatening storm surge inundation" in a region that includes Hernando Beach, Crystal River, Steinhatchee and Cedar Key. Officials in Citrus and Levy counties ordered a mandatory evacuation of coastal areas, while those in Hernando, Manatee, Pasco and Taylor counties called for voluntary evacuations. Shelters opened in those and some other counties.

Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast estimated 21,000 people live in his county's evacuation zone.

Residents, businesses prepare for flooding

Residents in Steinhatchee, Florida, which flooded during Hurricane Idalia, spent Sunday moving items to higher ground.

"I've been here 29 years. This isn't the first time I've done it. Do you get used to it? No," Mark Reblin said as he moved items out of the liquor store he owns.

Employees of Savannah Canoe and Kayak in Georgia said they were busy tying down their watercraft, laying sandbags, and raising equipment off the ground. Mayme Bouy, the store manager, said she wasn't too concerned about the forecast calling for a potential historic rain event.

"But we do have some high tides this week so if the rain is happening around then, that could be bad," Bouy added. "I'd rather play it safe than sorry."

Governors declare emergencies ahead of landfall

DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 61 of Florida's 67 counties, with the National Guard activating 3,000 guard members. Utility crews from in and out of state were ready to restore power after the storm, he said in a post on X. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster made their own emergency declarations.

In Tampa alone, officials gave out more than 30,000 sandbags to barricade against flooding.

"We've got our stormwater drains cleared out. We've got our generators all checked and full. We're doing everything that we need to be prepared to face a tropical storm," Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said.

Northeast coast also preparing for storm conditions

Emergency managers in New England and New York were already monitoring the path of the storm for the possibility of remnants striking their states. States including New York and Vermont have been hit by heavy rain and thunderstorms in recent weeks and were still coping with flooding and saturated ground.