STORM RECOVERY INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Monday, October 24, 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.  

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 link below for additional information on boil water safety:

Mandatory boil water notice  

EARLY VOTING INFORMATION

Early Voting in Lee County is set to begin today, Monday, October 24. Due to the damage to numerous Election Day polling sites caused by Hurricane Ian, 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 RESOURCE 

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. 

THIS WEEK – 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.

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. 

• Santini Marina Plaza, 7205 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. The site has access to water, food, showers, laundry and restrooms and is open 24 hours a day. Diesel and regular unleaded fuel is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Saturday, Oct. 29. 
• Beach Baptist Church, 130 Connecticut St., on the corner of Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach. This location provides access to ice, food, water, showers, laundry and restrooms as well as federal, state, local and non-profit partners. 
  1. 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, Florida Department of Children and Families, local and national non-profits.

 Resources previously located at the Town Hall have relocated to the Community Resource Centers. 

WATER RESTORATION 

The Town continues to restore water service to a limited number of homes. To have water service restored to your home: 

1. Secure structural and electrical inspections.
2. Submit the inspections by email to buildingpermits@fmbgov.com. 
3. The Town’s Utility Department will notify you when your home is scheduled for water restoration. 
4. You MUST be present when water is restored should any issues arise.

The Town’s Utility Department will contact you when water is able to be restored. Please be patient as staff are all involved in this effort and working diligently as possible. Currently, the following streets have the ability to receive water to approved homes:   

• 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   

DEBRIS REMOVAL 
 Debris removal contractors from Lee County have completed a first pass of ALL Fort Myers Beach streets and are working to complete the second pass.  Additional passes will be made until all debris is removed. Among other places, debris is primarily being deposited on Bay Oaks Recreational Campus although other locations i.e. Lovers Key are being considered. If your street or home has been skipped, please ensure that no vehicles are parked in the right of way and that debris is pushed curbside, not in the right of way. It’s also possible that property owners have pushed more debris curbside since the last pass. 

IMPORTANT SAFETY MESSAGE FROM THE FMB FIRE DISTRICT

Carbon monoxide detectors are now available at Community Resource Centers.  

Safety Tips: 

• 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. Have the address of the propane cylinder ready. 
• Residents are asked to remain aware of their surroundings and conditions as they return to their homes. 
• As the temperature rises, remember to stay hydrated and take brakes 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. 
• Look out for your neighbors and be courteous.  

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 of service. 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. Please email utilities@fmbgov.com if you need to reach the Utility Department. 

Since the first two homes were connected Saturday, Oct. 15, more continue to be restored every day. 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.  

INITIAL DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS 

Town of Fort Myers Beach building inspectors in conjunction with Army Corps of Engineers infrastructure assessment team are continuing to conduct rapid safety assessments of buildings. The intent is to quickly assess the habitability of the structure and recommend a rating of safe to enter, restricted use, or not safe to enter. This is for resident safety and wellness. The teams have experienced engineers familiar with design and construction. The completed assessments will be provided to the county and local governing authorities which is important data that is needed for governmental assistance and redevelopment.  

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    

TRASH PICKUP

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

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. 

MAIL PICKUP

FMB residents can pick up mail at the Fort Myers Processing & Distribution Center, 14080 Jetport Loop. For customers arriving by car, there is signage directing them to parking. 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. to 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.

PERMITTING 

For updated permitting information, please continue to check the Town's Building Services Webpage at fmbgov.com/building and www.fmbgov.com. 

For permitting, contact Daphnie Bercher, Community Development Director, at 239-537-5960 or daphnieb@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 877-693-5236 from 
 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for additional information.