Hurricane Idalia: Updates on tornadoes, schools, flooded roads in Collier County

Note to readers: As a public service, the Naples Daily News is tracking Idalia and its potential impact on Collier County and surrounding areas. Check here for the latest news from Collier County officials, including the Emergency Operations Center, cancellations, school information and more."

NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER: See the latest forecast for Idalia

COLLIER COUNTY CLOSINGS: Find out what's closed, canceled

COLLIER COUNTY GOVERNMENT: Visit the county's website

COLLIER COUNTY SCHOOLS: Visit school district's website

6:58 l Storm surge watch discontinued south of Bonita Beach

As Hurricane Idalia churned its way past Southwest Florida on Tuesday, some weather concerns began to improve by early evening.

The Storm Surge Watch was discontinued south of Bonita Beach but remained in effect for other beaches to the north along the Southwest Florida coast.

Continue to follow to updates here into Tuesday evening.

6:06 p.m. l Collier County schools closed Wednesday

After outcry from parents regarding safety during Hurricane Idalia, Collier Schools announced they will be closed Wednesday.

"Based on information received from the National Hurricane Center from the 5 p.m. advisory and the uncertainty of the potential weather tomorrow, including the possibility of strong winds that may impact transportation, we have made the decision that Collier County Public Schools will be closed tomorrow," the district said in an email Tuesday.

All schools will be closed and after school activities cancelled. Schools will reopen Thursday.

4:19 p.m. | Photo gallery: Waves from Idalia crash at Naples Pier

Naples Daily News visuals journalist Jonah Hinebaugh made it the Naples Pier today as Hurricane Idalia was making its way along the Southwest Florida coastline. Here are the photos he took, including surfers in search of good waves to ride.

VIDEO: See the pier take on Hurricane Idalia

4:08 p.m. | RSW reports Breeze, Delta flights impacted on Wednesday

While Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) remains open and operating at normal conditions the Fort Myers-based airport posted on its Facebook page this afternoon that there have been some changes on some flights with Breeze and Delta Airlines on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, these two Florida airports have closed due to Hurricane Idalia.

3:46 p.m. l Collier parents unhappy with keeping schools open Tuesday

Some Collier County parents are enraged after Hurricane Idalia tornado warnings delayed school release on Tuesday afternoon as heavy rains and flooding began impacting the county.

Parents in pick-up lines waiting for the warnings to pass to pick up their children were frustrated with the delays. Others took to social media to voice their displeasure with the district for keeping schools open Tuesday and Wednesday.

Multiple tornado warnings Tuesday afternoon had students across the district hunkering down in classrooms.

2:50 l Collier County Courthouse reopens Wednesday

The Collier County Courthouse will reopen Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the 20^th Circuit Courts in Lee and Charlotte counties will be closed Wednesday, officials said. In Lee, first appearances, shelter and detention hearings will be held in courtroom 2A at 10 a.m. Wednesday with Judge James Shenko presiding.

Any update regarding Thursday’s court operations will be made Wednesday. And updates will be posted on the court’s website and social media channels.

2:40 p.m. l Collier County Public Schools update on tornadoes

Collier County Public Schools released this statement: "For those schools under a tornado warning, the students and staff are safe inside the schools, which are used as shelters. They are with school staff sheltering in hallways away from windows and avoiding outdoors until the weather warning passes. Those schools are holding dismissal under the warning expires."

2:34 p.m. l Flooded roads in Collier County

These streets are experiencing temporary, isolated roadway flooding, Collier County government reported: Harbor Lane, Holiday Lane, Becca Avenue, Bayview Drive, Danford Street and Weeks Avenue.

Use caution while driving and do not try to drive onto a flooded road.

2:23 p.m. | Live radar: Track the latest weather as Idalia impact includes tornadic-like activity in region

Photos: Hurricane Idalia, king tide in North Naples

1:39 p.m. l Naples Airport: What's the latest?

Naples Airport remains open, but it's not as busy.

Due to Hurricane Idalia, the city's small general aviation airport, expected "heavily reduced traffic" Tuesday, said spokesman Zachary Burch in an email.

1 p.m. l Collier County announces parks, beaches, libraries closing

Collier County parks and libraries will close at 6 p.m. Tuesday because of Hurricane Idalia.

The county Park and Recreation Division made announcement about 1 p.m. Tuesday. This includes beaches, boat ramps and all community and regional parks,

And all regular activities and programs scheduled after 6 p.m. Tuesday will be canceled and rescheduled. All Collier County Public Library branches also will close at 6, with regular business hours expected to resume Wednesday.

For more information, visit collierparks.com or CollierLibrary.org.

10:54 a.m. l Naples restaurant announces it's closing for Idalia

Lake Park Diner, 944 Seventh Ave. N., Naples, announced Tuesday morning that it's closing as Hurricane Idalia passes by Southwest Florida.

"In the interest of safety for our valued employees and cherished guests, we have made the decision to temporarily close as Hurricane Idalia approaches," the diner said on Facebook.

"Your well-being remains our top priority, and we want everyone to stay sheltered and secure during this challenging time. We will provide updates on our reopening as soon as it's deemed safe. Please keep an eye on our social media channels for the latest information."

FSW closing all campuses, locations

All Florida SouthWestern State College campuses and locations will be closed Tuesday, Aug. 29. All classes, services, and activities are canceled. This includes the FSW Lee campus at 8099 College Parkway in Fort Myers Collier campus at 7505 Grand Lely Drive.

Decisions about college operations for Wednesday, Aug. 30, will be communicated by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29, via FSW's official communication channels and www.FSW.edu.

Keiser University closing Fort Myers campus

Keiser University says it will close its Fort Myers campus Tuesday, Aug. 29.

The campus is at 9100 Forum Corporate Parkway, Fort Myers.

Rasmussen University

The Fort Myers campus is closed Tuesday. The university plans to reopen Wednesday.

Florida Gulf Coast University

Tuesday operations are remote, students do not need to evacuate campus and dining halls will be open.

10:54 a.m. | Outer bands of Hurricane Idalia approaching coastal Collier

The outer bands of Hurricane Idalia are approaching coastal Collier County, the National Weather Service in Miami posted in a 10:45 a.m. update on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday.

Tropical storm-force wind gusts and blasts of heavy rain are possible as Idalia swiftly rotates by and there is potential for isolated tornadoes, NWS said.

9:30 a.m. l Collier County schools latest news

Collier County schools have classes today, Aug. 29, but activities and athletic competition scheduled from after 6:30 p.m. today remain cancelled and will likely be rescheduled, according to the district.

The school district also reports:

• Activities and athletic competitions scheduled after 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29, will be canceled and will likely be rescheduled.

• Leases scheduled after 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29, will be suspended.

• Curriculum Nights/Open House events scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 29, will be rescheduled.

Read more about the school district's decision.

7:30 a.m. l Collier County licensing board will meet today

The Collier County licensing board will meet at 4 p.m. today, Aug. 29, in Conference Room 609/610, Growth Management Department, 2800 N. Horseshoe Drive, Naples.

The purpose of the meeting is for authorization of the issuance of Emergency Certificates of Competency.

The agenda will be available on the Collier County Government website at http://colliercountyfl.iqm2.com/Citizens/default.aspx

7 a.m. | Need sandbags, sand? Head to North Collier park

Sand and sandbags are available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, Aug. 29, at North Collier Regional Park Softball Complex, 15000 Livingston Road.

For those anyone making sandbags, there is a limit of 10 bags per person, and supplies are limited. Please bring your own shovel and/or trowel to fill the bags.

The service will be available as long as supplies last and weather permitting.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Idalia live updates: Latest news for Naples, Marco Island, Bonita