STORM RECOVERY INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

STAY CONNECTED: 

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/Advisories. To see a list of Frequently Asked Questions, click here. If you need to reach the utilities department, email: utilities@fmbgov.com.

If you have questions related to Public Works, email: publicworks@fmbgov.com. 

The Town of Fort Myers Beach has published a working map of the number of streets with restored water as well as the locations and services of the community resources centers. To view the map, click here 

FEMA PAPERWORK ASSISTANCE

Do you need help filling out FEMA paperwork? If you need assistance, visit the Baptist Church Community Resource Location at 130 Connecticut St. to talk with a FEMA representative in-person and have questions answered.

• All residents of Fort Myers Beach are strongly encouraged to enroll with FEMA representatives at each Community Resource Center to receive all available benefits they may receive.
• FEMA Representatives will continue door-to-door canvassing to residents of Fort Myers Beach to assist with enrollment and explain services FEMA can assist with.
  1. Each FEMA Representative will be wearing a FEMA vest and have identification readily available.

MEALS FOR RESIDENTS

The Red Cross is distributing meals for Fort Myers Beach residents started Sunday, Oct. 30 at both Community Resource Centers.  

FORT MYERS BEACH ACCESS

Town of Fort Myers Beach residents can now access the town any day of the week. Monday/Tuesday daily access is no longer restricted. Curfew will still apply every day, which is 7 p.m. – 7 a.m. 

• Residents should be prepared to show identification, proof of residency, or town issued purple pass.
• Purple passes are not being issued at this time, but a purple pass received before the storm is still valid.
• Curfew is still in place to protect the community from looting and loitering, not to keep residents from their daily routines, such as driving to/from work or appointments.

DEBRIS REMOVAL

Residents can apply for debris removal services on their property by using the website: iandebriscleanup.com. This debris removal includes displaced and abandoned vehicles, vessels, and other titled property from qualifying private and commercial properties, as well as waterways throughout Lee County. 

All residents are advised not to block roadways with debris so trucks can access each individual street for pickup. Trucks will be unable to pick up debris if they do not have space to drive down roads. The Town has been divided into 28 zones for debris collection and each zone has its own assigned truck. To view an active map of debris removal in the Town, click here: Debris Removal Data.   

NON-POTABLE WATER

Water spigots are available for residents to use for cleaning, and are located at both the Beach Baptist Church and Santini Marina Plaza Community Resource Centers (CRC). DO NOT DRINK.  

Beach Baptist Church – 130 Connecticut St., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 (near parking lot entrance on Connecticut St.)

Santini Marina Plaza – 7205 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 (next to Fire Station 33 on Lenell Rd.) 

EARLY VOTING

Due to the damage to numerous polling sites, early voting is 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 sites will replace traditional Election Day precinct voting. Voters may vote at ANY of the 12 sites, regardless of their assigned precinct. For site locations, visit the Lee County Supervisor of Elections website. 

PRECAUTIONARY SWIM ADVISORY

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) has issued a county wide precautionary swim advisory for all public beaches and swimming pools and advising the public not to enter the water due to the possible increase of waterborne illnesses. The water quality has been affected by Hurricane Ian and at this time, swimming is not recommended. 

TEMPORARY E.R. OPEN

A free-standing emergency room is now open at 6890 Estero Blvd. The E.R. is open 24/7 for anyone in the Town of Fort Myers Beach requiring immediate medical care or access to a physician.  

SAND REMOVAL

Sand is considered debris. However, it is a resource that the Town wants to conserve to restore beaches. Keep sand debris separate from other types of debris as you stage it. There are two options for sand removal:

• Use the sand to restore your beach property.
  1. Separate and remove manmade debris from sand and sift it prior to returning to the beach.
  2. Vehicles used on the beach to return sand should be permitted with the Town.
• Stage the sand in the sidewalk right of way, keeping it separate from other types of debris.
  1. Know that this sand may not be returned to you after debris contractors remove it

For more information visit: https://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/1250/Hurricane-Ian-Resources 

CALCULATING THE 50% RULE

The Town has released a revised FAQ document to assist residents in calculating the 50% rule, based on a decision by Town Council at the October 25 meeting to add an adjustment pursuant to the Town’s ordinances. Link to the FAQ: https://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=909 

LOAN INFORMATION

The U.S. Small Business Administration has made disaster loans available for homeowners, renters, nonprofits, and businesses of all sizes. To learn more, visit this link: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/hurricane-ian. 

MOBILE CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM

The Center for Progress and Excellence’s Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) has resources available for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. Call 844-395-4432 to connect with a mental health professional who can assist you during this time of recovery.

• The MCRT will be available in-person at the Beach Baptist Church Community Resource Center on Wednesday, Nov. 2, during the center’s operating hours.

COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTERS

Community Resource Centers are open in two locations with daily hot meals available 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. for Fort Myers Beach residents and air compressors available from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. for filling low tires. 

• 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.  

POWER RESTORATION

Residents must have an inspection from a Florida-licensed structural engineer and a Florida-licensed electrician for power to be turned on. Email inspection reports along with the property address and their Florida license number to buildingpermits@fmbgov.com. This morning, Florida Power and Light Company reported 711 Fort Myers Beach homes are fully restored with power. 

WATER RESTORATION

According to Fort Myers Beach Utilities personnel, side streets on the bay side have water utilities restored with the exception of the Red Coconut area and the cul-de-sac on Madera. Gulfside water remains limited. Sewer will be restored with water, there are no issues with the sewer system. 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. 

FUEL RESOURCES

Hours for fuel are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and a fueling site with regular unleaded fuel and diesel is available at the Santini Marina Plaza, 7205 Estero Boulevard daily through Saturday, Oct. 29. Fuel will be limited to 10 gallons of fuel per car and 15 gallons per truck/SUV. Payment is credit only, accepted through a registration webpage. Instructions will be provided at the fueling station. Regular unleaded costs $3.39/gallon and diesel $5.29/gallon. 

BOATERS IN MOORING FIELD

Fort Myers Beach has closed the mooring field (Matanzas Pass) to all boaters. If you have a vessel in the mooring field, it must be removed immediately as the town needs to inspect all mooring systems to ensure standard and safe mooring.

BIA MEET THE BUILDERS

Tomorrow, Thursday, Nov. 3, Fort Myers Beach is partnering with the Lee County Building Industry Association to hold an open house with local and licensed builders and contractors. This event will be held at Cypress Lake High School (Media Room) 6750 Panther Ln.  

 Building Services & Permitting Services

A structural inspection and an electrical inspection must be completed prior to occupying a structure, or proceeding with building, renovating, or adding to a structure. 

The structural inspection must be performed by a professional engineer with structural experience licensed in the State of Florida. Upon completing the inspection, the structural engineer must offer their findings and expert opinion in the form of a post-inspection report.

If you have questions about the inspection, permitting, and rebuilding processes, FEMA’s 50% rule, or other building and permitting topics, contact the Town’s Building Services & Permitting Services via email.

Daphnie Bercher, Community Development Director

Daphnieb@fmbgov.com 

Steven Poposki , Building Official | 50% Rule

Spoposki@fmbgov.com 

Andrew Garry, Permit Supervisor

Andrew.garry@fmbgov.com

Kristin Schumacher, Floodplain Manager

Kristin.schumacher@fmbgov.com  

Staff will respond to all emails as time allows

For additional Information visit:  FMB Building Services & Permitting Service web. page:

https://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/971/Building-Services

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. 

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