HURRICANES

Collier County orders evacuation of all homes west and south of U.S. 41

Greg Stanley
Naples

With hope dwindling that Hurricane Irma will turn east, Collier County has ordered more evacuations.

In this GOES-16 satellite image taken Friday, Sep. 8, 2017, at 10:45 UTC, Hurricane Irma, center, approaches Cuba and Florida, with Hurricane Katia, left, in the Gulf of Mexico and Hurricane Jose, right, in the Atlantic Ocean. Cuba evacuated tourists from beachside resorts, and Floridians emptied stores of plywood and bottled water after Hurricane Irma left at least 20 people dead and thousands homeless on a devastated string of Caribbean islands and spun toward Florida for what could be a catastrophic blow this weekend.

All homes west of U.S. 41, and south of U.S. 41 after it bends toward Miami, should be evacuated, Dan Summers, director of the Emergency Services Bureau, said Friday afternoon.

That includes Naples Park, Pelican Bay and a swath of East Naples.

It is still possible to travel outside the county, Summers said.

But be sure of your destination before leaving, because it may turn out to be better to shelter in place, he said.

"Anything south of Orlando is problematic in terms of shelter and fuel availability," Summers said. "We can't guarantee fuel, but we understand that it is holding its own for the most part."

Shelters are filling and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

People may be redirected to another shelter if they are full, Summers said.

Summers also recommended asking churches for sanctuary. The county has not confirmed availability of any churches but urged people to try if they must. 

The county has opened nine evacuation shelters. They are:

  • Immokalee High School, 701 Immokalee Drive, Immokalee, FL 34142 (no pets)
  • Immokalee Middle School 401 N. Ninth St., Immokalee, FL 34142 (pets allowed)
  • Cypress Palm Middle School, 4255 18th Ave. NE, Naples, FL 34120 (pets allowed)
  • North Collier Regional Park, 15000 Livingston Road, Naples, FL 34109 (pets allowed, but the shelter is full due to preregistration and will not accept anyone who is not already registered)
  • Gulf Coast High School, 7878 Shark Way, Naples, FL 34119 (no pets) - SHELTER IS AT CAPACITY
  • Oak Ridge Middle School, 14975 Collier Blvd., Naples, FL 34119 (no pets)
  • Lely High School, 1 Lely High School Blvd., Naples, FL 34113 (no pets)
  • Golden Gate High School, 2925 Titan Way, Naples, FL 34116 (no pets)

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