All Collier County fire and rescue vehicles were pulled off roads at 7 a.m. as tropical storm force winds arrived.

"Help may not be able to come now until after the wind dies down," said Kate Albers, county spokeswoman.

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Collier firefighters, as well as sheriff deputies and Naples police officers were still responding to some calls on district-by-district and case-by-case basis as of 7:40 a.m.

"Law enforcement will respond when it's safe to do so," Albers said.



Naples Fire-Rescue is also only responding to major emergencies on a "case by case basis," Chief Pete DiMaria said.

At 7:30 a.m., Marco Island Police and Marco Island Fire Rescue Departments were no longer responding to calls for service until the winds reduce, Marco Capt. Dave Baer said in an email.

All 911 calls will now go through district command, said Jason Sellers, captain at Greater Naples Fire and Rescue District.

That is to "make sure we're only getting dispatched to actual emergencies," Sellers said.

He said each new 911 call will be a minute-by-minute decision.

It's still unclear how long Hurricane Irma will stay now that it has arrived. It could be well into the night or early Monday morning until rescue vehicles are back on the road. Depending on how bad flooding is, how much debris and how many powerlines are down, it could be hours or days before emergency crews are able to cut their way into some neighborhoods and some evacuees are able to go home.

The county's Emergency Operation Center is now focused on rescue efforts.

It's time to stay in whatever shelter you have found, Albers said.

"We are strongly urging people not to drive anywhere," she said. "Shelter in place."