Sanibel, Florida

October 7, 2024

Contact: City of Sanibel - City Manager's Office

(239) 472-3700

Hurricane Milton Advisory #3 - Mandatory Evacuation Order for Sanibel by Tuesday, October 8 at 10pm

Mayor Richard Johnson, with the support of City Council, has issued a proclamation ordering the evacuation of Sanibel by Tuesday, October 8, at 10:00pm. Sanibel residents and business owners are urged to prepare for impacts from this storm and evacuate the island as soon as possible.

A 24-hour curfew will be enacted at 10:00pm on Tuesday, October 8.

The National Hurricane Center advises that Hurricane Milton is now a Category 5 storm (157 mph or higher) and will likely maintain intensity until it makes eventual landfall along the west coast of Florida.

• Rainfall on Sanibel may exceed 8 inches with this storm system. There is potential of storm surge up to 10 feet on parts of the island (see map below). This forecast is subject to change with each update.



• Sanibel may see tropical storm force winds as early as Tuesday, October 8, by 8 pm.

The City of Sanibel will continue to issue regular updates on Hurricane Milton as new information is received.



Please continue to monitor City new releases, the National Weather Service, and reports from local meteorologists. Also, if you have not yet registered to receive notifications from Alert Lee, please register by clicking here.

The Sanibel Recreation Center and Sanibel Police Department will be issuing Hurricane Re-entry Permits to Sanibel and Captiva residents in accordance with the following schedule:

Today, Monday, October 7:

The Recreation Center – 7am-7pm for Residential Re-Entry

Permits only.

The Sanibel Police Department – 8am-4pm for Residential and

Commercial Re-Entry Permits.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, October 8:

The Sanibel Police Department – 8am-12pm for Residential and

Commercial Re-Entry Permits.

Important! - A government issued photo ID with a Sanibel or Captiva address, or a utility or property bill with your name and a government issued photo ID, may be used at the checkpoint to gain access to the island once residential and commercial access is allowed following the storm.

• The Recycling Center on Dunlop Rd. will be open tomorrow, Monday, October 7 from 8am to 3pm for disposal of household trash. This service is for Sanibel residents only. Proof of residency will be required.

• Construction sites must be secured per the City's Land Development Code, and dumpsters must be removed, emptied, or tarped and porta potties must be removed or secured prior to Tuesday at 5 pm.

• R/V and trailer owners are encouraged to evacuate as soon as possible. Ensure you have time to move your R/V or trailer off island prior to the arrival of storm winds that make evacuating more difficult.

• All official City meetings are cancelled for this week.

• City Hall will be open today until 5pm, and will be closed Tuesday, October 8 through Thursday, October 10.

• The Recreation Center will be open from 7am to 7pm today, and will be closed Tuesday, October 8 through Thursday, October 10. There will be no group fitness classes, youth swim team practice (SWAT), or youth basketball practice. Pools and Outdoor Courts are closed for storm preparation. FREE Childcare will be available for K-8th grade students until 5pm today.

• Trash collection for Tuesday and Wednesday is cancelled.

• Please do not place any additional debris from Hurricane Helene in the ROW. WM will attempt to pick up as much debris from the ROW prior to Hurricane Milton’s arrival.