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Helene is forecast to intensify greatly and have wide-ranging rain and wind fields. As we just learned in August with Debby, a system passing to the north or west of us while spinning in a counter-clockwise direction puts us on the "dirty" side of the storm, increasing our chances of high rainfall totals and storm surge stacked onto our coast by prolonged southwesterly winds. Please keep an eye on your local tide tables (high tide Thursday morning is 7:36am at Punta Rassa) and be prepared for both additional storm surge and localized flooding from rainfall.
Lately we have not seen large releases from Lake O itself, rather high amounts of stormwater runoff being sent to tide from the entire Caloosahatchee basin. Flows have have been in the harmful range at Franklin Locks (S-79) for approximately the last two weeks. The Lake O water level currently sits at just over 15 feet, and could require additional harmful discharges should Central Florida receive a large amount of rainfall.
Overall it is imperative to avoid contact with flowing and/or standing water as the likelihood of contaminants and pollution being transported in the stormwater will be elevated.
Calusa Waterkeeper remains committed to the community and is ready to assess impacts to the environment and human health. We encourage you to report any unusual sightings or pollution concerns to us via our website: calusawaterkeeper.org/contact/?topic=Report%20Pollution, email: info@calusawaterkeeper.org or phone: 239-899-1440. We are here to answer any water quality questions and concerns you may have.
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