News Flash

Watch FMB Mayor Ray Murphy and FD Chief Ron Martin update on the results of search and rescue efforts.

For the missing person list contact:

• Lee County Sheriff Office
• 800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

STORM RECOVERY INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATION RESULTS
Today the Town and the Fort Myers Beach Fire District released the final results from the post-storm search and rescue operation on the island.  Fire Chief Ron Martin announced that 526 people were rescued during the search and evacuated from the island or hospitalized.  Fourteen people were found deceased. Our heartfelt condolences are with the families of our lost loved ones. We will rebuild Fort Myers Beach stronger in their memory.

FEMA ASSISTANCE There are FEMA teams set up outside the FMB Town Hall complex to register you for federal disaster assistance.  The fastest way to apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance is through DisasterAssistance.gov. 

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.

SHOWER AND RESTROOM FACILITIES

Portable shower and restroom facilities are set up for the public at the FMB Town Hall complex as well as at Beach Baptist Church. Laundry facilities are set up at the FMB Town Hall complex. 

 TRASH PICKUP

Waste Management trucks are picking up trash on the island daily.   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.

 POWER
 At this time, 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.  Homes and businesses must have completed structural and electrical inspections and have electrical systems repaired by a licensed electrician 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

BLUE ROOF PROGRAM
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 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.

 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
 Debris removal crews have been at work for several days and are partially complete on a first pass of debris pickup. Crews are working from the south end of the island toward the north and have reached Connecticut St.    When clearing out 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 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. The Town does not currently 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 long term 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.

 STAY CONNECTED

We wanted to make sure that you know about and are connected to all of the ways that the Town is providing information directly.

• For permitting, PLEASE feel free to reach out directly to Daphnie Bercher, Community Development Director, by phone at 239-537-5960 or email at daphnieb@fmbgov.com. 
• For permitting info, please visit and continue to check the Town's Building Services page: https://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=876 as well as the homepage on the Town's website - www.fmbgov.com
• As we have new information, we have been and will continue to share it with all media outlets as well as post it on our website, on the Town of Fort Myers Beach Facebook page, and text and email it to anyone who is signed up through our website to get messages directly,
• To sign yourself up to the website, click this link: https://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/list.aspx
• You can also email publicinfo@fmbgov.com