Homeowners in Florida's southwestern coast, known for its fast growth and affordable housing, are struggling to sell properties due to soaring home insurance rates, exacerbated by Hurricane Ian in 2022. This has led to falling home prices and a buyer's market, impacting the region's real estate industry. The insurance crisis, along with high mortgage rates and a surge in multi-family residential projects, has contributed to the decline in housing demand and affordability, prompting some residents to seek less costly areas.
Over 8,000 power outages were reported in Lee and Collier counties in Southwest Florida due to a line of strong storms, with the area under a level 2 out of 5 risk of severe weather. The storms could produce strong wind gusts, heavy rain, and a potential for tornadoes. As of 3:30 p.m., power outages in Lee and Collier counties have been restored, with no outages reported in Charlotte County.
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Southwest Florida until 2 p.m. Sunday, with potential threats including tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, and large hail. Florida Power & Light reported power outages in Collier and Lee counties as the storm passed through the region. The NWS forecast indicates a complex of strong-severe thunderstorms sweeping eastward across mainland southern Florida and the Keys, with the tornado watch area extending along and 75 statute miles either side of a line from northwest of Miami to west southwest of Key West.
Southwest Florida is under a Dense Fog Advisory until 10 a.m. Saturday, with severe weather expected on Sunday, including gusty winds, heavy rainfall, and a potential for tornadoes. The beginning of the work week will bring scattered showers on Monday, followed by drier conditions and sun and clouds for the rest of the week.
Southwest Florida experienced heavy rain and storm surge, causing street and home flooding. The region will see a drop in temperatures throughout the week, with Monday struggling to reach the low 70s and overnight temperatures dropping into the upper 40s and low 50s. However, temperatures will gradually rise throughout the remainder of the week.
A cold front is bringing frigid temperatures to Southwest Florida, with highs in the upper 60s to lower 70s on Monday and lows in the upper 40s to low 50s on Tuesday. Wednesday will see a milder start with some humidity and a chance of showers in the afternoon and evening. Stay updated with the weather forecast on WINK News.
Christmas tree lots have opened in Southwest Florida, with Uncles Al's Christmas Trees offering a wide selection of trees for sale. Owner Al Mueller advises shoppers to act fast as the trees sell out quickly. Prices range from $40 to $300, and the busiest day for tree shopping is the day after Thanksgiving. Mueller's Christmas tree tent is located in Fort Myers, with another location in Cape Coral.
Coral reefs in Southwest Florida are being devastated by extreme heat, with surface temperatures reaching over 100 degrees in July. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates that 90% of the reef structure has been lost since the 1980s. Coral restoration efforts offer some hope, but the ongoing marine heat wave has caused significant bleaching, leading to the death of many coral colonies. The loss of coral coverage will have long-term consequences for the local ecosystem, including increased vulnerability to rising sea levels and more powerful storms. Reefs, which cover less than 1% of the ocean, are crucial habitats for 25% of marine species.
Balloons spotted floating over Southwest Florida have raised questions among residents. The balloons belong to tech company Near Space Labs, which aims to democratize geospatial data and address issues like urbanization and climate change through aerial imagery. The weather balloons capture pictures of the Earth from the sky, and their recent sightings have sparked curiosity and speculation among locals.
A water expert from FGCU's Water School has warned swimmers in Southwest Florida about the presence of brain-eating amoeba, which thrives in warm and wet environments. The amoeba can be found in fresh water bodies such as rivers, puddles, mud, and poorly maintained swimming pools with low chlorine levels. It poses a serious threat if it enters the body through the nose, potentially causing a fatal infection. To prevent infection, swimmers are advised to avoid jumping or diving directly into the water, wear a nose clip, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as headaches, stiff neck, nausea, or vomiting occur. Texas currently leads in the number of cases in the US, followed by Florida.
Drag performers in Southwest Florida are relieved to be able to perform and host events at places like The Standard in downtown Fort Myers without fear of losing their license. Performer Alyssa Lemay defends their performances as entertainment and not inappropriate, while employee Katie Leonard says drag shows are good for business. Restaurant patrons see drag performances as just another form of entertainment.
Tropical Storms Cindy and Bret are moving westward, with Cindy expected to continue in this direction over the next few days and Bret losing strength over the eastern Caribbean Sea. Neither storm is expected to affect Southwest Florida. Cindy is not expected to reach hurricane status, while Bret is expected to dissipate over the central Caribbean Sea over the weekend.
Hurricane Ian reached Category 5 intensity just before its September landfall in Southwest Florida, according to a report from the National Hurricane Center. The storm intensified further after passing over western Cuba and the Dry Tortugas as a Category 3 and reached its peak intensity of 140 knots on Sept. 28. However, the report notes that there is very little practical difference between a 140-kt Category 5 and a 135-kt Category 4 hurricane in terms of impact.
Aerial footage captured by a drone flown by a visuals journalist for The News-Press shows the scars left behind by Hurricane Ian on Fort Myers Beach, six months after the Category 4 storm hit Southwest Florida, causing catastrophic damage and killing over 160 people. Despite ongoing recovery efforts, the view remains one of a location that was pounded unmercifully by Hurricane Ian's storm surge and winds.
