News Flash

FEMA ASSISTANCE
The fastest way to apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance is through DisasterAssistance.gov. There are disaster survivor assistance teams from FEMA set up outside the FMB Town Hall complex, near the Verizon trailer and World Central Kitchen.  You can also apply through the FEMA mobile app or by calling 1-800-621-3362. If you use a video relay service, captioned telephone service, or other communication services, please provide FEMA the specific number assigned for that service.

DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Disaster Recovery Centers are open at these locations, where you can access recovery information and resources from a wide variety of national, state, local and volunteer resources.

FOOD/WATER 

World Central Kitchen is serving meals at 2525 Estero Boulevard, just outside the Town Hall complex.  Lunch and dinner meals are free.  Water and packaged meals are also available at that location.

TRASH PICKUP

Waste Management has trucks picking up trash on the island beginning today.   For health and safety reasons, they ask that you dispose of your food and kitchen waste first and save other household debris for later pickups.   Please separate food and household trash from construction debris, appliances and electronics.

TARPS

Tarps to cover materials on your property are available for pickup at the World Central Kitchen location.

BLUE ROOF PROGRAM
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will install a blue tarp on your roof for free if needed.  Begin by submitting a Right of Entry (ROE) request through the blueroof.us website or calling 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258). 

Once an ROE is received, a USACE employee will conduct an assessment. The inspection may be completed virtually or in person. Remote reviews provide the same high-quality assessment as those done in person.

POWER
At this time, Florida Power & Light (FPL) cannot provide an estimate of when power will be restored to the island.  The main line along Estero Blvd is largely reconstructed, and lines on some side streets are repaired. But very few structures are ready to receive power.  To prevent fires, homes and businesses must have their electrical systems repaired by a licensed electrician and inspected before power will be reconnected to the structure. A list of registered contractors of all types, including electrical, are on the Building Services page of the Town’s website at www.fmbgov.com.

CONTRACTORS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Please check the credentials of any contractor you are considering hiring.  It is a felony in Florida to conduct unlicensed contracting during a State of Emergency. Don’t become a victim. Check MyFloridaLicense.com. The town recommends property owners use locally licensed contractors. All contractors registered to do business in the Town are listed on the Building Services page of the Town’s website at www.fmbgov.com.

WATER SAFETY
Please stay out of the water!   There are physical, chemical, biological and bacterial contaminants in our waterways right now and avoiding contact with flood waters, rivers and gulf/bay waters is advised.

DEBRIS REMOVAL
 When clearing out flooded homes, residents should place debris near the curb for pickup, but not in the street.  It’s important to keep streets clear for traffic to move freely.  It’s also important that vehicles do not block streets or hinder critical services like debris pickup. Separate your debris by type, with construction debris, appliances, electronics and household garbage in separate piles.

 MOORING FIELD
 The town’s mooring field has been damaged and is closed until further notice. We do not have the capabilities to support vessels in the mooring field. Vessel owners must make arrangements to seek harborage elsewhere. Our priorities are making sure everyone is safe and secure.   Our objective is to grow the mooring field and to rebuild better than ever and reopen as soon as possible.

INACCESSIBLE STREETS

These streets are inaccessible or blocked due to pavement damage or large debris:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           First Street, Second Street, Madeira Road, Palermo Circle, Shelby Lane, Williams Drive and the intersection of Bay Rd. and Oak St.