STORM RECOVERY INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
Friday, October 14, 2022
TEMPORARY ACCESS PLAN TO FORT MYERS BEACH
Beginning Monday, Oct. 17, access to Fort Myers Beach will be limited to essential response personnel each Monday and Tuesday to speed restoration of essential services and infrastructure. The goal is to complete specific infrastructure rebuilding missions on a tight deadline. Residents and their hired contractors can access the island from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Essential response personnel include: debris management (crews from Crowder Gulf and Thompson Debris); water and sewer utility providers; and transportation crews from Florida DOT and Lee DOT. The plan is an essential step in bringing back the residential, commercial, and tourism hub of Fort Myers Beach. It is designed to make substantial progress on a condensed timeline. This schedule will continue until further notice. Check www.leegov.com for Hurricane Ian updates. Follow @Lee County Government on Facebook, www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc.
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 beyond Connecticut Street. 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. Separate your debris by type, with construction debris, appliances, electronics and household garbage in separate piles. We have hauled over 11,000 cubic yards of debris using 25 trucks on the Island since Monday. Below are the streets that have received an initial pass through of debris removal.
Estero Blvd | Shell Mound Blvd | Bayview Drive |
Carlos Circle | Jefferson St | Virginia Ave |
Old San Carlos Blvd | Mid Island Dr | Pearl St |
Third Street | Andre Mar Drive | Delmar Ave |
Crescent St | Anchorage St | Fairweather Lane |
First Street | Hibiscus Dr | Donora Blvd |
Primo Drive | Mandalay Rd | Voorhis Street |
POWER
At this time, FP&L cannot provide an estimate of when power will be restored to the island. The main line along Estero Boulevard 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. Once both inspections have been submitted by the property owner, the Town provides a list of names daily to FP&L. FP&L will energize your home when they have completed the repairs in that area.
ROOF PERMITS
Access, complete and submit roof permits on the Town’s website at www.fmbgov.com. Send questions to buildingpermits@fmbgov.com and find more information on the website. On the homepage, scroll down and click the Building Services sand dollar which will open the Building Services page. If you need an internet connection or if you are having difficulties with the internet, there is a Verizon trailer on the Town Hall compound that provides internet and device charging services as well as technical support.
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
FEMA ASSISTANCE
There are FEMA teams set up outside the FMB Town Hall complex facing Estero Boulevard 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.
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, RESTROOM AND LAUNDRY 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. Portable 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.
MOORING FIELD
Matanzas Pass 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.
MOUND HOUSE
The Mound House received some damage and will require repairs. If you would like donate to Friends of the Mound House, Inc., to assist with the repairs, visit www.moundhouse.org.