STORM RECOVERY INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
Sunday, October 16, 2022
WATER RESTORATION
The Town's Water Utility Director and staff, our mutual aid partners and contractors report they have restored the water main service from the Town’s water tank on the south end of the island to Times Square with pressure stable at 60 PSI.
FIRE INSPECTION AND PERMIT FEES SUSPENDED
To aid the residents of Fort Myers Beach, the Board of Fire Commissioners and Fire Chief Ronald L. Martin are suspending all fire inspection and permitting fees. This suspension of fees will begin on Monday, October 17 and continue for 90 days.
TEMPORARY ACCESS PLAN TO FORT MYERS BEACH
Beginning tomorrow, 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.
POWER RESTORATION
The first few homes on the island had power reconnected Saturday, 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 which are lighting Estero Blvd nightly. 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. FPL says it will replace all meters on residential properties.
BIG CARLOS PASS BRIDGE
DOT crews have been working on repairs to the Big Carlos Pass Bridge. Divers were in the water this weekend 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.
MAIL PICK UP
FMB residents can pick up mail at the Fort Myers Processing & Distribution Center at 14080 Jetport Loop. For customers arriving by car, there is signage directing them where to park. 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 new location will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. USPS says all 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 areas affected by Hurricane Ian with questions about their mail or package delivery service, or any other matter involving postal operations.
FEMA ASSISTANCE
There are FEMA teams set up outside the FMB Town Hall complex in a large white Estero Boulevard to register you for federal disaster assistance. The fastest way to apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance is online 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. There are portable toilets set up at regular intervals along Estero Blvd.
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 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 am to 5 pm.
