As Tropical Storm Debby gained strength in the Gulf of Mexico Sunday, Southwest Florida felt the effects of the passing storm.
Areas of Collier County experienced heavy rain squalls from Debby's outer bands, and the surf was rough along the coast. Streets were flooded and closed in Naples and Marco Island. Everglades City was flooded.
Tropical storm force winds extended 140 miles outward from the center of the storm.
The tropical weather stirred up thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes in Collier County prompting tornado watches and warnings. A Tornado Watch remained in effect until 8 p.m. The Topical Storm warning was cancelled Sunday evening.
Live radar: See the storm's bands at roar through Collier County
Here are the latest updates from Collier, Naples, Marco Island, Isle of Capri, Everglades City, Goodland
6:30 p.m. Everglades City under water once again
5 p.m.: Marco, Goodland, feel impacts of Debby's surge, rain, winds
Marco Island and Goodland were pummeled by Tropical Storm Debby Sunday, flooding most streets, stranding some motorists and throwing debris. At least one tornado warning was issued for the area. Lighting, thunder and high winds came with the Atlantic's fourth-named storm of the season.
"We've helped some people out and we’ve driven a couple of people home," said Marco Island Fire Chief Chris Byrne. "We have our high-water vehicle out."
Read the full story: Marco Island, Goodland roads under water
— J. Kyle Foster
4:59 p.m.: Tornado Warning issued for Collier
A Tornado Warning has been issued for southwestern Collier County until 5:15 p.m.
A severe thunderstorm near Cape Romano, moving northeast at 40 mph, has radar-indicated rotation and is capable of producing a tornado.
Areas impacted include Marco Island, Belle Meade and Fiddlers Creek.
The National Weather Service advises residents to take cover immediately in an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows and stay indoors. Torrential rainfall is also occurring, which may lead to flash flooding. Avoid driving through flooded roadways.
4:41 p.m.: Collier Flash Flood Warning remains in effect until 6 p.m.
A Flash Flood Warning will remain in effect until 6 p.m. for western Collier County.
Doppler radar detected a feeder band moving into the Naples area from the Gulf of Mexico, bringing an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain on top of the 7 to 10 inches that have already fallen, according to the National Weather Service.
Flash flooding is ongoing, affecting areas such as Naples, Marco Island, Golden Gate Estates and others. Residents should be aware of flash flooding in small creeks, streams, urban areas, highways, streets and low-lying regions.
4:30 p.m. Isle of Capri, like all of coastal Collier County, felt Debby's hit
Canal's filled to the brim and streets flooded, in video:
And photos:
3 p.m. Debby whips up the surf at Bonita Beach: Video
2:49 p.m.: Flooded roads in the city of Naples
Here are areas in Naples impacted by flooding Sunday afternoon:
- Whispering Pine // Crayton Road
- Central Avenue to 4th Avenue North impassable right 2 lanes on US 41
- Parkshore Drive // Old Trail
- 8th Avenue North // 2nd Avenue North
- First floor of the NCH Hospital parking garage
- Harbour Drive
- Crayton Road between Harbour and Parkshore Drive
- Pine Grove
- 32nd and 33rd Avenue South Beach Accesses
- 10th Street South // 800 and 900 blocks
- Central Avenue west of Goodlette Frank Road
- 13th Avenue South // Gordon Drive
- 5th Avenue South // US 41 intersection
- 7th Avenue North to 12th Avenue South (Pier Access) on Gulf Shore Blvd North and South flooded
- 8th Street North // 2nd Avenue North impassable
- Seagate Drive near Naples Cay roadway impassable
- Springline west of Crayton Road
- Tin City near Marine Max, flooded
- Water over roadway Gulf Shore Blvd South southbound from 13th Avenue South
- US 41 North at Fleischmann Blvd, flooded
- 9th Avenue North // 14th Avenue North flooded
Please stay off the roads until the storm passes and water recedes.
2:25 p.m.: CCSO shares Collier road closures
CCSO shared the following road closures throughout Collier County due to flooding from the tropical storm:
- The intersection of San Marco Road and U.S. 41 is closed in all directions due to flooding
- The East Trail of US 41 from Spruce Street to Airport-Pulling has major flooding and several downed trees
- Logan Blvd. has standing water from Pine Ridge Road to Vanderbilt Beach Road
- Copper Drive and Frank Whiteman Blvd have standing water at 14th Street N
- Vanderbilt Drive is closed between Wiggins Pass and Dunes Blvd
- Gulf Shore Drive is closed between Vanderbilt Beach and Bluebill
- In the Bayshore Drive area: Danford Street, Becca Avenue, Shoreview Drive, and Weeks Avenue are impassable
- Near Everglades City: Copeland Avenue South and Riverside Drive are impassable. San Marco Drive is flooded between Goodland and US 41
- Manatee Road from Collier Blvd. to US 41 is flooded
1:42 p.m.: Collier County road closures
Collier County crews are actively monitoring road conditions due to Tropical Storm Debby, according to a press release Sunday. Collier County advised people to avoid using roadways if possible and use caution, as flooding may increase with high tides.
The following roads are closed due to high tide and flooded roadways:
- Gulf Shore and associated roads
- Bayshore and associated roads
- Gulf Harbor and associated roads
- North Road and associated roads
- Sandpiper and associated roads
- Hamilton and associated roads
Report any flooding to 239-252-8924.
12:45 p.m.: Tornado Warning issued for Collier County
At 12:45 p.m., severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes were detected along a line from West Toll Gate on Alligator Alley to Orangetree, moving north at 20 mph. The warning is in place until 1 p.m.
Impacted locations include Naples, Marco Island, Golden Gate Estates and nearby areas.
Residents should take cover immediately and stay away from windows.
Heavy rainfall may obscure the tornado, so the National Weather Services advises people against waiting to see or hear it. Torrential rain could also lead to flash flooding, of which a warning is already issued for Collier.
12 p.m.: Flash Flood Warning issued for Collier County
Shortly after noon Sunday, Doppler radar detected thunderstorms producing heavy rain, with up to 4 inches already fallen. Rainfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour are expected, with an additional 2 to 6 inches possible. Flash flooding is occurring or expected soon. The warning is in place until 6 p.m. Sunday.
Locations affected include Naples, Marco Island, Golden Gate Estates and surrounding areas.
The National Weather Service advises people to avoid driving on flooded roads, as most flood deaths happen in vehicles.
Where is Tropical Storm Debby in relation to Naples, Collier County?
The National Hurricane Center's 8 a.m. Sunday advisory showed the storm in the southeastern Gulf, just southwest of the Lee and Collier County coastlines, with tropical storm force winds reaching the Southwest Florida coast.
- Location at 8 a.m. Sunday: About 155 miles southwest of Tampa, which is about directly east of Southwest Florida
- Maximum sustained winds: 60 mph
- Movement: north-northwest at 13 mph
What is the Sunday weather forecast for Naples, Collier County as Debby passes?
The National Weather Service showed this forecast:
For inland Collier County, including Naples:
- A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for parts of Sunday, with local forecasts showing below tropical storm force winds at 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph.
- A Flood Advisory is in effect until 1 p.m. Sunday, with minor flooding already occurring from thunderstorms. Gulf Shore Drive flooded between Vanderbilt Beach Road and Bluebill Avenue, according to the Collier County Sheriff's Office.
- A Flood Watch is in effect until 8 p.m. Sunday, with 1 to 3 inches of rain expected.
- A Tornado Watch is in effect until 8 p.m. Sunday
For coastal Collier County:
- A Tornado Warning was in effect until 11:45 a.m., and a Tornado Watch will remain until 8 p.m. Sunday. Severe thunderstorms capable of producing a tornado were located 9 miles northeast of Royal Palm Hammock, moving north at 40 mph.
- A Tropical Storm Warning remained in effect, with the latest local forecast showing below tropical storm force winds at 25 to 35 mph, with gusts at 40.
- A Flood Watch is in effect until 8 p.m. Sunday, with 1 to 3 inches of rain expected.
- A Flood Advisory is in effect until 1 p.m. Sunday
- A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect until midnight Monday evening
- A High Rip Current Risk is in effect through Monday evening
- A High Surf Advisory is in effect until 2 a.m. Monday
Contributing: J. Kyle Foster, Andrew West, Liz Freeman, Diana Biederman, Jonah Hinebaugh
