Watch how Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach looked as Hurricane Idalia got closer to Florida
Southwest Florida communities hit by Hurricane Ian last year, including Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach and Marco Island, started to feel the effects of Idalia on Tuesday as the strengthening hurricane got closer to the Sunshine State.
Videos taken by reporters and residents show coastal flooding and strong wind gusts in areas still recuperating from Ian’s devastation, which killed more than 100 people and caused billions of dollars in damage.
Watch the footage:
READ MORE: Hurricane Idalia’s flood and storm surge in Florida were caught on video. Take a look
Water rushes beach access in Sanibel
Lee County’s Sanibel island began to experience minor coastal flooding on Tuesday. Sanibel Causeway, the only way in and out of the island by car, had a major downpour Tuesday afternoon, affecting drivers’ visibility.
READ MORE: Idalia is expected to hit as a Category 3 hurricane. When will Florida airports close?
Winds pick up in Fort Myers Beach
Fort Myers Beach’s Time Square — still recovering from Ian — began to flood Tuesday as wind started to pick up.
READ MORE: Florida braces for Hurricane Idalia. 125 mph winds, 15-foot storm surge expected
Several tornado warnings on Marco Island
The area of Marco Island and Naples in Collier County had been under at least three separate tornado warnings as of 2 p.m. Tuesday. Some Naples roads flooded a bit.
Meanwhile, some thought it was a good idea to surf near the Naples Pier on Tuesday, Naples Daily News photographs show.
READ MORE: Did you miss the last Florida hurricane tax holiday? Here’s how to save on supplies
This story was originally published August 29, 2023 at 1:50 PM.
