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Residents and business owners in Fort Myers Beach were allowed to return to the area Sunday, nearly two weeks after Hurricane Ian ended.
Fort Myers Beach, Fla. Two weeks after a hurricane hit Southwest Florida, the city of Fort Myers Beach is allowing residents and business owners to return to the area and begin the next steps in the recovery process.
After most Fort Myers Beach residents moved away from the island, Hurricane Ian approached the area in late September.
“Efforts to save lives and recover the remains of lost loved ones have been a top priority since the hurricane,” said Fort Myers Beach Mayor Ray Murphy. “We are now ready to move on to the next step in the recovery process.”
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On Friday, there were signs of hope in Fort Myers, Florida, amid the dangers, but there is still much work to be done. �
(Robert Ray) -
On Friday, there were signs of hope in Fort Myers, Florida, amid the dangers, but there is still much work to be done. �
(Robert Ray) -
On Friday, there were signs of hope in Fort Myers, Florida, amid the dangers, but there is still much work to be done. �
(Robert Ray) -
On Friday, there were signs of hope in Fort Myers, Florida, amid the dangers, but there is still much work to be done. �
(Robert Ray) -
On Friday, there were signs of hope in Fort Myers, Florida, amid the dangers, but there is still much work to be done. �
(Robert Ray) -
On Friday, there were signs of hope in Fort Myers, Florida, amid the dangers, but there is still much work to be done. �
(Robert Ray) -
Search and rescue teams go home and dig through the rubble for signs of life.
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The devastation left behind by Hurricane Ian is seen on October 04, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida.
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A dilapidated beach front house swept down the street by a hurricane. Scenes of flooding and storm damage after Hurricane Ian destroyed the Fort Myers beach floor.
(Thomas Simonti for The Washington Post) -
In this aerial view, boats sit on the ground in a wooded area and along a road after being pushed by the waters of Hurricane Ian near Fort Myers Beach in San Carlos Island, Florida on September 29, 2022.
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In an aerial view, boats are stacked on top of each other after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The typhoon brought high winds, tornadoes and rain that caused extensive damage to the area.
(Joe Radle)
Fort Myers Beach access for residents, property and business owners, as well as insurance adjusters, begins at 7 a.m. Sunday.
However, anyone returning to the island must bring identification or proof of residency to enter.
Hurricane Ian’s left scar can be seen in its wake
Still no lights, in Fort Myers Beach Water
The city of Fort Myers Beach has begun allowing residents, business owners and insurance adjusters to return to the island for the first time since it devastated the area two weeks ago. Fox Weather Multimedia Correspondent Will Nunley is in Fort Myers Beach with the latest.
There is important information that people should know when returning to Fort Myers Beach.
City officials have stated that there is currently no electricity, water, waste water service or garbage collection in the region.
Also, internet and cell service are not at full strength as crews continue to make repairs after Hurricane Ian downed trees and utility lines in the region.
City officials say many buildings have been damaged or destroyed, and nearly all are unsafe to enter.
There is no food or water on the island, and no businesses are open.
The afternoon curfew also remains in place.
The island was covered in 12- to 18-foot waves, damaging the structural integrity of many homes and businesses. Electrical systems were also damaged on the island.
The damage is “terrible”.
City officials are issuing a notice warning people returning to Fort Myers Beach that damage to homes and businesses is “horrendous.”
Fox Weather Multimedia reporter Will Nunley is in Fort Myers Beach as residents begin returning to survey the damage and pick up pieces.
Nunley spoke with Fort Myers Beach resident Tim Newman, who has been back on the island for a few days now and says he understands people are rebuilding what was lost.
“There were 20 buildings here,” he said, pointing to the destruction behind him. “It’s gone. The parking lot—it’s gone. That’s amazing.”
Newman said he talked to one of his neighbors who has lived on the island for 47 years and will rebuild.
“He’s been in that dilapidated house for 47 years,” he said. “It’s going to be rebuilt, he already told me.”
Nunley said he watched as people sorted through the wreckage and recovered what they could.
“It’s going to be an unusual few hours and days for people coming back,” Nunnelly said. “It’s one thing to see this on TV, right? To see what we’re giving people from the air in general. But to be able to come down here and walk through this and see people take back what might be their only home and start over and try to find whatever’s left inside is really amazing.”
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