Marco Island opens call center for residents during Idalia
Marco Island opened a limited call center through 10 p.m. today as tropical storm winds, rain and tornadoes from Idalia continue to make their way through the area.
“So if people call the city, someone will answer,” said Assistant City Manager Casey Lucius. A tropical storm warning remains in effect until 7:15 p.m.Marco Island has not activated its Emergency Operation Center and it has been business as usual on the island with city offices open regular hours. Staff met at 4 p.m. and agreed to close Mackle Park and Raquet Center starting at 5 p.m. It will reopen at 8 a.m., Lucius said in an email. Marco Island Healthcare Center closed at 2 p.m."We are still watching for possible storm surge overnight due to high tide around 1 a.m., Lucius said. " Other than that we are returning to normal operations."
Four tornado warnings
As of 5 p.m., four tornado warnings were issued in the area, said Sammy Hadi, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service (NWS) in Miami. NWS had no confirmation of a touchdown. Children in Tommy Barfield elementary and middle schools hunkered in hallways for safety during the tornado warnings.
Marco Island Fire Chief Chris Byrne said in an email: “Fire Rescue received a report of a tornado touchdown in the Tallwood, Bald Eagle and North Barfield area. Units reconned the area and found no evidence of touchdown.”
Watching Caxambas and Goodland for excessive flooding
Fire and police personnel are patrolling Marco Island and Goodland to clear drainage, check traffic lights and watch for excessive flooding, she said. Of particular concern is the Caxambas area on the south end.“That area did get hit the hardest from storm surge during Hurricane Ian,” Lucius said. Caxambas Park and its boat ramp remain closed after taking a hit during the Sept. 28, 2022, storm. Wall repairs and debris removal began on May 18. Collier County commissioners approved a contract with BluWater Florida to operate Caxambas marina, along with three others in the county.
“Field units are reporting street flooding as expected,” Byrne wrote. “Goodland has significant street flooding. PD (Police Department) and Fire Rescue are responding to alarms and persons stuck in elevators. Conditions are as expected.”
Marco Island and Everglades City declared a state of emergency Monday during special-called city council meetings. Making the declaration allows the cities to receive Federal Emergency Management reimbursements and funding from the state after a storm.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Marco Island sees expected flooding from Idalia, tornado warnings
