Naples already experiencing flooding from Hurricane Idalia
As Naples city officials prepare for the impact of Hurricane Idalia, they urge residents be informed on how to prepare (such as shelters, evacuation routes, etc.) and how to stay in touch with the city. Naples remains in a local state of emergency ahead of the storm and certain areas are already flooding.
Hurricane Idalia strengthened overnight, going from a tropical storm to a Category 1 hurricane. Forecasters estimate Idalia will become a Category 3 hurricane before it hits Florida.
Currently, Hurricane Idalia is moving north over the Gulf of Mexico. The storm is projected to make landfall in the Panhandle of Florida Wednesday morning.
Naples remains outside the projected storm cone, but city officials want residents to take precaution just in case.
Local forecast
Naples will face tropical storm conditions with heavy rain and wind starting this afternoon at the earliest. These conditions will last through the night and into tomorrow. The National Weather Service says rainy conditions may persist through the week.
A Naples city official said Naples will have higher than normal tides this week which will affect storm surge levels. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts the highest tides will peak at 3.71 feet at 12:53 p.m. on Wednesday.
A Naples Police Department official posted on the department's Facebook page today that some areas are already flooded. The following is a list of locations Naples PD reports flooding in:
Eighth St. S and Broad Ave. S
Gulf Shore Blvd. and Third Avenue S.
Gordon Dr. and 13th Ave. S
City Dock, passable but use caution
33rd Ave. S and Third Ave. S and Gordon Dr.
Bleu Provance 8th St. S and 13th Ave. S
Underpass to Tin City
"Those living in low-lying areas that typically experience flooding during high tides should take necessary precautions," a city spokesperson wrote in a press release. "Weather will begin to deteriorate in the evening hours tonight. With rain, storm surge, and an overnight high tide, the City strongly urges residents in low-lying areas to prepare for flooded roadways and if possible, relocate as soon as possible to higher ground."
How to prepare
City officials say residents should prepare an emergency kit with any important medication, food and water for 72 hours, flashlights, batteries, and any comfort items.
Right now, grocery stores, gas stations, and pet supplies stores are still open and stocked with essentials.
In an effort to help people prepare for potential flooding from Tropical Storm Idalia, sandbags and sand are available until 7 p.m. at North Collier Regional Park Softball Complex. People interested in making sandbags must bring their own shovels to fill bags.
During floods, sandbags can be used to divert water around buildings rather than through them.
Staying connected
City officials created a special website for Hurricane Idalia updates: www.naplesgov.com/hurricane/page/hurricane-idalia-updates. All city updates and alerts will be posted there.
For now, all city buildings are open and operating. However, city parking garages are not open.
"The city of Naples public parking garages located off of 8th Street South are not open for storage of personal vehicles," a city official wrote in a press release. "Storing personal vehicles for storm preparation is prohibited in the city's parking garages. For storm preparations, the city's parking garages are being reserved for city emergency personnel and emergency vehicles only."
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Naples experiencing flooding from Hurricane Idalia
