Melissa Montoya

News-Press

(Published Jan. 9) Heavy damage from a tornado that hit southwest Cape Coral Saturday night turned Oasis Middle School into a reception center for those affected by the storm, according to the Cape Coral Fire Department.

Saturday’s fast-moving storm system caused flooding, street closures and damage to houses and other property across Lee County.

The Cape Coral Police Department has asked residents to shelter in place. An additional 30 Cape Coral police officers are patrolling the affected area and three people suffered minor injuries, according to Cape Coral police Sgt. Dana Coston.

At 11 p.m., about 9,500 people were without power, Coston said.

The affected area is between Gleason Parkway to the north, Cape Coral Parkway to the south, Pelican Boulevard to the east and Sands Boulevard to the west, Coston said. It's a 12- to 14-square mile area, he said.

"We are fairly confident that some of the areas in Cape Coral will go without power until tomorrow," he said.

Over 100 personnel from the Cape Coral Fire Department are assisting in door-to-door assessments and welfare checks, Coston said.

Road debris is being removed as fast as possible. The storms knocked down multiple power lines and trees.

The Red Cross opened Oasis Middle School, 3507 Oasis Boulevard, and it was to remain open through the night for people who cannot get into their homes because of road closures, he said.

"We are doing everything that we can to get the help to people that they need," Coston said.

Michael Howerton, 16, said he was at the McDonald's at Chiquita Boulevard and Cape Coral Parkway when the tornado touched down.

"It started pouring rain and the wind was everywhere," Howerton said. "I was a bit worried cause my mom was alone at home."

Howerton said his mom called him and told him she was OK. She told him to shelter in place until the storm would pass.

He did.

"She just heard growling of this thunder and massive wind," he said. "I was a bit panicked by that so I was hoping nothing happened."

Reports came in of a tent for a food vendor at the Cape Coral Festival of the Arts that was blown over in the storm. A section of Beach Parkway West was closed to traffic due to downed power lines and a fallen tree. And most of Beach Parkway West was closed because of downed trees and power lines after a tornado touched down in the area.

According to our partner WINK News, power outages were reported on Chiquita, debris and property damage were found on Skyline Boulevard, including a tree that fell through an apartment, and residences sustained heavy damage on SW 15th Place.

At least hundreds were without power across the region, including Cape, Sanibel Island and parts of Charlotte, Hendry and Collier counties, according to the Lee County Electric Cooperative.

The tornado was part of heavy thunderstorms that moved through the area at about 7:30 p.m. Wind gusts of up to 60 mph were reported, the National Weather Service said.

Check news-press.com later for updates.

What others were saying on Facebook

I saw the start of it at the end of 49th as far west as you can go. It sounded like a freight train and blew out alot of transformers along the street. It was scaru, loud and powerful - Kristina Whitmire

Beach Pkwy and Chiquita Destroyed...never seen so much damage! - Jarrod Eister

Our home got hit, this is our bedroom. SW Cape off Skyline and Mohawk. - Desiree Nicole Slager