Fast-moving storms rolling in off the Gulf had Naples Park and Palm River under a special weather statement Tuesday night, with the National Weather Service warning of damaging gusts and small hail through 11:00 p.m. EDT. Radar-indicated cells triggered the advisory, and residents were cautioned about frequent lightning, the chance of falling branches, and the need to hunker down indoors and tie down anything loose outside.
A special weather statement has been issued for Naples Park FL and Palm River FL until 11:00 PM EDT https://t.co/5tyJKp2X2n
— NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) Jul 15, 2026
What the NWS warned
According to the National Weather Service, the advisory specifically names Naples Park and Palm River and runs until 11:00 p.m. EDT. The statement for Collier County calls out wind gusts near 50 mph and "pea-size" hail and bluntly tells people to "seek shelter in a sturdy structure" until the storms move on. The product also highlights frequent cloud-to-ground lightning as a key hazard with these cells.
Local impacts and recent storms
Mesonet archives show the area has already been on weather alert several times this week. A July 10 severe thunderstorm warning included Naples Park and warned of 60-mph gusts. The Fort Myers News-Press reported a possible landspout near Cape Coral on July 11 that produced near-60 mph winds, underscoring how jumpy Gulf-coast storms have been lately. With that recent history, it is no surprise the NWS is urging people to take tonight's cells seriously, and local crews could again be out clearing limbs and checking lines if the strongest pockets hit.
Safety steps
If you are in Naples Park, Palm River or nearby neighborhoods, head indoors away from windows and stay inside a sturdy building until the advisory expires. Bring in or secure patio furniture and loose outdoor gear, avoid any downed power lines and skip driving through flooded spots on the road. Report damage or outages to local authorities and follow directions from county emergency management if they reach out.
Stay informed
Keep an eye on local TV and radio along with official channels for any upgrades or extensions to tonight's alerts. NWS Miami's social feed and the main National Weather Service website will post the latest statements. Make sure emergency alerts are enabled on your phone so you get time-sensitive warnings targeted to your location.
