SWFL ready for increase in storm conditions as Tropical Storm Elsa draws closer

Tropical Storm Elsa’s outer bands were already impacting parts of Southwest Florida Monday night. We spoke to more people in the region as they prepared for increased storm conditions Tuesday.

Sanibel

Lee County says, once sustained winds reach 40 mph, it’s not safe to drive over a bridge. That means staying off your boat too.

While the water wasn’t choppy Monday night, conditions could change within hours when Tropical Storm Elsa moves closer to the coast of the region Tuesday.

Elsa pressed pause on the Ward family’s Sanibel vacation, so they’re going to stay put in their Sanibel condo while the storm makes its way up the coast of Southwest Florida.

“I think we’re going to hunker down,” Mike Ward said.

That means their boat will hunker down too. They brought their boat to the Sanibel Marina to keep it safe before the island starts feeling Elsa’s effects.

“We thought it was unsafe to leave it in the water because we’ve never gone through this before. We had the luxury to pull it out and keep it here until the storm passes,” Ward said. “We’ve pulled the boat out of the slip and it’s going to stay on the trailer for a couple of days until it is safe to put it back in.”

Although they’re here on vacation, the Wards will wait a few days before they hit the water again.

“I’ve never seen big waves and nor do I want to surf in there,” Gina Ward said. “So, yeah, we’ll stay. I think we’ll be safe where we are.”

First responders won’t go out either when max sustained winds are 40 mph or higher, either, because there are a lot of hazards.

If you do have a medical emergency, call 911. You’ll be on a list based on your priority, and when it’s clear, first responders will rush to your side.

Naples