STORM RECOVERY INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
STAY CONNECTED: For continued updates from the Town of Fort Myers Beach, visit www.fmbgov.com, follow the Town of Fort Myers Beach on social media, or email publicinfo@fmbgov.com. To sign up for text or email alerts, visit http://fmbgov.com/list.aspx, enter your email and cell phone number, then select News Flash. To see a list of Frequently Asked Questions, click HERE. If you need to reach the utilities department, email utilities@fmbgov.com.
MANDATORY BOIL WATER NOTICE
If you have potable water in your home, you are under a MANDATORY boil water notice. All water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, washing dishes, or brushing teeth must be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute. Bottled water may be used as an alternative. The mandatory boil water notice will remain in effect until water samples show the water has returned to safe drinking levels. Please see the final page of this update for additional information on boil water safety.
TODAY – TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
On Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, at 4 p.m., there will be an additional Town Council meeting at 17650 San Carlos Blvd., the site of the former SkipOne Seafood.
THURSDAY – COMMUNITY MEETING
On Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, at 7 p.m., representatives from community organizations working on Hurricane Ian recovery efforts will be hosting a Community Meeting at 15200 Alexandria Court, Fort Myers (Heights Elementary School).
EARLY VOTING INFORMATION
Early Voting in Lee County is underway in Lee County. Due to the damage to numerous Election Day polling sites, early voting will be extended through Election Day. In-person voting for the November 8 general election will be held at 12 voting sites throughout Lee County during early voting AND on Election Day. The 12 voting sites will replace traditional Election Day precinct voting. Voters may vote at ANY of the 12 available voting sites, regardless of their assigned precinct. For voting locations, visit the Lee County Supervisor of Elections website.
FUEL RESOURCES
UPDATED HOURS: 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. A fueling site with regular unleaded fuel and diesel is available at the Santini Marina Plaza, 7205 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Saturday, Oct. 29. Fuel will be limited to 10 gallons of fuel per car and 15 gallons of fuel per truck or SUV. Payment will be credit only, accepted through a registration webpage. Instructions will be provided at the fueling station. Regular unleaded will cost $3.45 per gallon and diesel will cost $5.29 per gallon.
COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTERS
Community Resource Centers are open in two locations. Both sites have hot meals available 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Resources previously located at the Town Hall have relocated to the Community Resource Centers
- Santini Marina Plaza, 7205 Estero Blvd. The site has access to water, food, showers, laundry, and restrooms and is open 24 hours a day.
- Beach Baptist Church, 130 Connecticut St. This location provides ice, food, water, showers, laundry, and restrooms as well as federal, state, local and non-profit partners. This location will be open 24 hours a day, with representatives from the various agencies available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. This includes FEMA Disaster Recovery Assistance Teams, and Florida Department of Children and Families.
DEBRIS REMOVAL
Daily debris removal continues in the Town of Fort Myers Beach, with debris collections amounting to approximately 168,397 cubic yards of debris related to Hurricane Ian. This is equivalent to the size of more than 50 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The Town has been broken into 28 zones for debris collection and each zone has its own assigned truck.
PERMITTING
Since Oct. 1st, The Town of Fort Myers Beach has processed 598 structural and electrical professional reports which have been emailed to the Town stating that the structures are “structurally safe” or “safe to energize”. For updated permitting information, please continue to check the Town's Building Services Webpage at www.fmbgov.com/building. For permitting, contact Daphnie Bercher, Community Development Director, at 239-537-5960 or daphnieb@fmbgov.com
IMPORTANT SAFETY MESSAGE FROM THE FMB FIRE DISTRICT
Carbon monoxide detectors are now available at Community Resource Centers. Please remember to look out for your neighbors and be courteous during this time of recovery. Safety Tips include:
- Do not attempt to move any leaking or damaged propane cylinders. If you encounter a leaking or damaged propane cylinder, call 911. For non-emergency removal of intact propane cylinders, call the Town of Fort Myers Beach at 239-765-0202 and have the address of the propane cylinder ready.
- Remain aware of your surroundings and conditions as you return to your home.
- As the temperature rises, remember to stay hydrated and take breaks in the shade when possible.
- Keep the road and fire hydrants clear of debris piles. If a hydrant is opened, contact the Fire District.
- Wear proper footwear as debris piles cause uneven walking surfaces and tripping hazards.
- Treat all downed wires as live and electrified; do not touch downed wires.
- Stay away from standing water as it may contain bacteria.
- Point the exhaust of gas-powered machines away from any activity.
- If possible, avoid walking or working in high-dust areas or wear at least a N-95 mask.
POWER RESTORATION
Residents need to get an inspection from a Florida-licensed structural engineer and an electrician for power to be turned on. Email inspection reports along with the address and their Florida license number to buildingpermits@fmbgov.com.
The Building Services Department will submit the address to the Florida Power and Light (and water utility) for energizing and reconnection. Please be patient as the Town is processing hundreds of inspections. Electricity and water service repairs may not have been completed in some areas which may result in delays.
The Town provides a daily list to FP&L of properties that are approved for power reconnection after those properties have passed structural and electrical inspections. FP&L will energize homes when they have completed the electrical system repairs in the area and the Town has approved inspections. FP&L says it will replace meters on residential properties.
WATER RESTORATION
The Town continues to restore water service to a limited number of homes (see the list at the end of this document for further). Please be patient as staff are all involved in this effort and working diligently as possible. To have water service restored to your home:
- Secure structural and electrical inspections.
- Submit the inspections by email to buildingpermits@fmbgov.com.
- The Town’s Utility Department will notify you when your home is scheduled for water restoration.
- You MUST be present when water is restored should any issues arise.
CONTRACTORS
Only use licensed and registered contractors. A list of registered contractors, including electrical, is on the Building Services page of the Town’s website at www.fmbgov.com/building and is being updated regularly. A database of licensed contractors is available at www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp
MAIL AND TRASH PICKUP
Waste Management trucks are picking up trash on the island Monday-Friday. IMPORTANT: For health and safety reasons, dispose of food and kitchen waste first and separate it from other household debris for later pickups. Keep food and household trash sperate from construction/damage debris, appliances, and electronics.
FMB residents can pick up mail at the Fort Myers Processing & Distribution Center, 14080 Jetport Loop. A mobile retail unit has been set up in the parking lot to assist customers with mailing and shipping needs, stamp and money order purchases, and change of address requests. This location is Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Per USPS, customers impacted by Hurricane Ian should file for a change of address to ensure they can receive uninterrupted and accurate mail delivery service. The USPS Care Center (1-800-275-8777) is available for customers in affected areas with questions about their mail or package delivery service, or postal operations.
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MANDATORY BOIL WATER NOTICE
If you have potable water in your home, you are under a MANDATORY boil water notice. All water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, washing dishes, or brushing teeth must be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute. Bottled water may be used as an alternative.
The mandatory boil water notice will remain in effect until water samples show that the water has returned to safe drinking levels. Under a boil water notice, water used for consumption can be disinfected by any one of the following methods:
• Bringing the water to a rolling boil and holding it there for one (1) minute. OR
• Using a disinfecting chemical. If you cannot boil water, you should put eight (8) drops of common household bleach (unscented), which is about 1/8th teaspoon, into one (1) gallon of tap water, then shake it and allow it to stand for 30 minutes before drinking. If the water is cloudy, use sixteen (16) drops, about 1/4 teaspoon of bleach instead of 8, shake it, and let it stand for 30 minutes. There should be a slight chlorine odor. Use common household bleach that has 5% to 8% active ingredients. Use food-grade containers. OR
• Using water purification tablets or iodine that many sports and camping stores sell and follow their directions. You can also buy commercially bottled water for consumption and food preparation as an alternative. Consumption includes brushing teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, and homemade ice.
Tap water may be used for showering, baths, shaving, and washing, so long as care is taken not to swallow or allow water in the eyes or nose, or mouth. Children and disabled individuals should have their baths supervised to ensure water is not ingested. The time spent bathing should be minimized. Though the risk of illness is minimal, individuals who have recent surgical wounds, are immunosuppressed, or have a chronic illness may want to consider using bottled or boiled water (that has cooled) for cleansing until the notice is lifted.
Businesses and non-residential sites should take steps such as posting notices or disabling water fountains and ice machines. If you provide water to visitors or employees, use commercially produced bottled water for drinking or beverage preparation (coffee). Food service operations have additional requirements from their regulatory agency. After the water system is repaired, and the pressure is restored in the pipes to your home or business, the mandatory boil water notice will remain in effect for one to several days while bacteria tests are conducted to assure the safety of the water.
WATER RESTORATION (CONTINUED)
Currently, the following streets have the ability to receive water (homes will be connected after they submit the required structural and electrical inspections):
- Sterling
- Lanark
- Seminole
- Falkirk
- Sabal
- Lauder
- Indian Bayou
- Shell Mound
- Washington
- Madison
- Voorhis
- Mid Island
- Donora
- Driftwood
- Estero
- Palermo
- Bayview
- Baymar
- Albatross
- Fairview
- Jefferson
- Connecticut
- Buccaneer Lagoon
- Lagoon
- Starfish
- Redfish
- Tarpon
- Sand Dollar
- Estrellita
- Little Carlos
- Lennel
- Bayland
- Coquina
- Tropical Shores
- Dundee
- Dolphin
- Lazy
- Pepita
- Avenida Carita
- Oak Ridge
- Palmetto
- Hercules
- Gulf Island
- Mandalay
- Bayside
- St. Peters