Southwest Florida Gulf Water May Be Contaminated

Author Joe Winner

August 30th, 2023 1:25 PM

People enjoy an afternoon at a beach in Naples (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Although Southwest Florida escaped the full force of Hurricane Idalia, there may be a hidden danger left behind. The Collier County Department of Health has stated a possible increased risk of waterborne illness. Southwest Florida Gulf Water quality has been affected by Hurricane Idalia. They add that swimming is not recommended.

Excessive amounts of rain and storm surge from the hurricane can increase the levels of harmful bacteria in these waters. The sources of the bacteria can vary and include failing septic systems, sewer line breaks, overflowing manholes, and wildlife. Also, storm surge and floodwaters may have also brought debris on to the beaches. This debris is hazardous and has also been subjected to harmful bacteria.

The Department of Health will be conducting tests to determine the quality of the gulf water. It’s also of note, be sure to check your pool. The heavy rains can make your pool chemicals imbalanced. Check the water before you get in.

If you do choose to go to the Southwest Florida gulf beaches, add a first aid kit to your beach bag.

A bottle of hydrogen peroxide and some band aids do not take up that much room in your bag. Be smart about this. It doesn’t take much to get a little cut on your foot. People have died this year from cuts they received. 5 in the Tampa area.

I was on a pontoon with some friends last Sunday when someone from another boat asked if we had a first aid kit. We fixed them up, and gave them radio station t-shirts, hats, and coozies. I wanted to make sure they had a fun story when they got back.

We help prevent water borne infections and set you up with free stuff. That’s why we’re your favorite radio station.

Southwest Florida Gulf boating

First Look Of Florida Flooding From Hurricane Idalia

Hurricane Idalia struck the Florida coast in the Big Bend are near Keaton Beach just before 8 this morning, with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph. It’s still too early to assess the damage from the Category 3 storm, but pictures are coming in to give us our first look at flooding from Hurricane Idalia.

Getty photographer Joe Raedle is on the ground in Tarpon Springs. More dramatic pictures are coming from Cedar Key, which was most closer to the area where the storm made landfall.

Hurricane Idalia is not done. The 11am Wednesday update is in and it’s still a 90 mph hurricane. The center of the storm is located on the Florida / Georgia line. Hurricane warnings stretch up the coast of Georgia and into South Carolina. Even people in Atlanta are feeling effects of the storm. Once the storm leaves the coastal US, the current tracks have it heading towards Bermuda. Bermuda is currently dealing with Hurricane Franklin. It looks like they could be seeing another one next week.

The majority of the damage we’re seeing so far is from flooding from Hurricane Idalia. Although we are seeing some wind damage in Tallahassee and others. I had a friend send me that first video from outside her house, which is just off downtown.

Southwest Florida has mostly dodged the damage from this hurricane, but it’s only August 30th. Be prepared. There’s still a lot of hurricane season ahead of us.

Tallahassee
Tallahassee
Posted by Joe Winner on Wednesday, August 30, 2023

If you’ve ever been to Tallahassee, you know they have a lot of big trees hanging over the streets. And over the power lines.
Cedar Key

The first floor of that hotel or condo building is ruined. The line of debris will make it easy to assess the surge.
Cedar Key

Another angle from the line of debris. When this picture was taken this morning you can still see how high the water is, and that it’s still coming in.
Cedar Key

A lot of branches and leaves on the ground, but the trees stayed up. A lot of clean up to do.
Cedar Key

This cottage is completely flooded. We’re going to see a lot more of this as the storm passes and more pictures are posted.
Cedar Key

Another angle from that yellow cottage. The water is over the fence.
Tarpon Springs
In an aerial view, a fire is seen as flood waters inundate the downtown area after Hurricane Idalia passed offshore on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

This is all too common with fires erupting in flooded neighborhoods. We saw it here in Southwest Florida with Ian.
Tarpon Springs
Makatla Ritchter (L) and her mother, Keiphra Line wade through flood waters after having to evacuate their home when the flood waters from Hurricane Idalia inundated it on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

We knew there was going to be surge. These two are lucky to get out with their lives.
Tarpon Springs
Cars sit in flood waters from Hurricane Idalia after it passed offshore on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

This is something we’ll need to watch for in the coming months. These used cars coming back on the market after being flooded. Just something to be aware of.
Tarpon Springs
A person rides a kayak through the flooded streets caused by Hurricane Idalia passing offshore on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

You know this guy had no where to be. He’s doing this for the ‘Gram.
Tarpon Springs
A truck passes through flooded streets caused by Hurricane Idalia passing offshore on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

See this too much. “I have a truck, I’ll be fine.” I don’t see a snorkel on that truck, you may have just ruined your ride.
Tarpon Springs
Steve Odom stands on the porch of his home that is surrounded by flood waters caused by Hurricane Idalia passing offshore on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area on the Gulf Coast of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Not much else you can do.
Tarpon Springs
People look out at the flood waters from Hurricane Idalia surrounding their apartment complex on August 30, 2023 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area on the Gulf Coast of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

With the first floor flooded, all you can do is watch from the railing. There’s a lot of cleanup to do.