The Captiva Island Fire Control District will be ending regular updates of Hurricane Milton as of today. The District will continue to send out information as anything important develops or on an as needed basis.

Captiva Island is looking better and more passable each day! Firefighters continues to mitigate hazards and assist with storm recovery on the island. Please report any emergency issues by calling 9-1-1, do not call the Fire District directly as our phones are down from the storm. 

Here are a few updates from the Fire Chief:

Captiva Island Information

• ROADWAYS
  • Captiva Drive access across Blindpass has been restored to residential traffic. 
  • Captiva Drive, in the area of Captiva Shores and Jensen's on the Gulf, and also near the intersection of Wiles and Captiva Drive, is now fully repaired. Both lanes of traffic are open to the public.
  • South Seas Island Resort is working diligently to clear the roads throughout the resort.  They have successfully established access for emergency vehicles throughout the entire Resort. All access to the resort will be controlled through the security gate at the entrance of South Seas Island Resort.  It is imperative that no parking occurs anywhere in the resort along the road, vehicles left in the right of way will block emergency access. Please see any updates from South Seas island Resort for specific information about access and road openings to owners and contractors.  If you plan to check on properties throughout the island, please be cautious as access to emergency services may be delayed.
• Sand removal along Captiva Drive has been completed from the main lanes of traffic, crews have been working diligently to remove the sand from the rest of the island as fast as possible.
• Lee County Emergency Medical Services , ambulance unit, has been restored to the island.
• The Fire District is working with Lee County Emergency Operation Center to assist with power outages associated with Comcast and CenturyLink services, as well as plans to fortify the islands infrastructure.  The Fire District is doing everything it can to advocate for emergency restoration of the beach dune system.
• Lee County began debris pickups as normal, after a storm event, please see the Lee County's website for further information.  Please do not pile any debris in the roadway- this will hinder emergency responses! 
• The Fire District and the Captiva Civic Association have small clean up supply kits available to residents that need basic essentials to aid in the clean-up of their home. The kits include: a dustpan & brush, mop head and handle, scrub brush, squeegee, leather and rubber work gloves, N95 respirator masks, sponges, trash bags, and misc. cleaners .
• Drinking water is available at the Fire Station and the Captiva Civic Association for residents (not contractor crews) that are in need.  Please stop by the station anytime and fire personnel will be able to assist you.
• LCEC was able to restore power to a majority of Captiva Island. For additional information or questions, please contact LCEC's Public Relations Director, Karen Ryan at Karen.Ryan@lcec.net. 
• Island Water Association has restored most water service to the island. They are continuing to repair multiple leaks throughout Sanibel and Captiva Islands.
• Significant beach erosion has occurred throughout Captiva Island.
• Lithium-Ion electric vehicles on the island have become a major concern for the Fire District.  Most EVs, if not all vehicles that have been checked, were submerged in salt water and pose a significant fire risk.  Please utilize our website and submit an Electric Vehicle Reporting Form so that firefighters can check to see if your EV has been submerged. We will begin put out more information on our website related to EV fires.  Our recommendation is that you make arrangements to have your EV vehicles removed and inspected or serviced as soon as possible.
  • Residents that own a Lithium-Ion electric vehicles including cars, golf carts, etc. are encouraged to complete an information form on the website. This will allow fire personnel to approach the location with caution and also react accordingly if there is a fire. Please complete the form here.

A recent news article shows how a lithium-ion battery, that had been submerged in saltwater from Hurricane Milton, can explode. In this particular situation a Florida man died from the smoke due to the golf cart battery fire. Please read the article here and heed the warnings of local and state officials. 

As you begin cleanup after Hurricane Milton, we want to share some crucial safety information about the risks associated with lithium batteries that may have come into contact with floodwaters.

• Beware of Lithium Battery Hazards
  • Lithium batteries used in devices like smartphones, laptops, electric scooters, and electric cars can pose serious dangers if they have been exposed to saltwater or damaged. The chemical reaction can lead to overheating, swelling, and, in extreme cases, fires or explosions.
• ​​​​​​​Use Extra Caution with Electric Scooters, Cars, and Golf Carts
  • If an electric scooter, car, or golf cart has been submerged in saltwater, it could present a higher risk of fire due to internal battery damage. We strongly recommend contacting a professional to inspect and safely remove these items from your property.
• What To Do If You Suspect Battery Damage
  • Monitor for signs of swelling, smoke, or unusual heat.
  • Do not attempt to charge or use any batteries that appear damaged or submerged.
  • If you see smoke or fire, evacuate, and call 9-1-1 immediately.
• Proper Disposal Tips 
  • If a battery has come into contact with saltwater: Move it outside and 50 feet away from your home immediately, away from flammable materials, and avoid handling it directly. Use non-conductive tools, like wooden tongs, to pick up small batteries.
  • Never throw batteries in regular trash: Instead, take them to your local hazardous waste collection site.