STORM RECOVERY INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
Saturday, October 15, 2022
POWER RESTORATION
Today the first few homes on the island had power reconnected, after obtaining approved structural and electrical inspections. Repairs to the main power line along Estero Boulevard are 96% complete, and 85% of side streets are complete. FPL has installed 47 new streetlights. The Town provides a daily list to FPL of properties that are approved for power reconnection. FPL will energize your home when they have completed the repairs in your area and the Town has approved your inspections.
BIG CARLOS PASS BRIDGE
DOT crews have been at work on the Big Carlos Pass Bridge this week. Divers were in the water today inspecting pilings and tons of dirt and stone were being used to fill in areas scoured out by the storm. Engineers are working on the bridge span itself, in order to reopen access to Fort Myers Beach from the south.
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.
CONTRACTORS
Be sure to use only licensed and registered contractors. Don’t become a disaster scam victim! A list of registered contractors of all types, including electrical, is on the Building Services page of the Town’s website at www.fmbgov.com/building. You can also access the state’s database of licensed contractors at www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp
DEBRIS REMOVAL
The first pass of debris collection is continuing, and crews are preparing to begin overnight grinding of collected debris. 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. Debris crews have hauled more than 12,000 cubic yards of debris using 25 trucks on the Island since Monday.
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.
D-SNAP FOOD AND NUTRITION BENEFITS
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that low-income Florida residents recovering from Hurricane Ian may be eligible for assistance from the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). Eligible households will receive one month of benefits they can use to purchase groceries at SNAP-authorized stores or from select retailers online to meet their temporary food needs following the disaster. Details on Florida’s D-SNAP program will be available at the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Hurricane Ian Response & Recovery website. D-SNAP sites will be posted on the website as they become available.
FEMA ASSISTANCE
There are FEMA teams set up outside the FMB Town Hall complex in a large white tent along 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.
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, 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 Webpage at fmbgov.com/building 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: http://fmbgov.com/list.aspx
- You can also email publicinfo@fmbgov.com
INSURANCE HELP
The Division of Consumer Services can assist insurance customers in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Visit myfloridacfo.com/Division/Consumers/HurricaneIan.htm or call 1-877-693-5236 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
MOUND HOUSE
The Mound House survived Hurricane Ian but will be closed for repairs until further notice. Staff is busy working to stabilize the structures to ensure we preserve the historical integrity of the site. If you are interested in supporting this effort please click here www.moundhouse.org. to donate to the Friends of the Mound House.
