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Gulf & Main Magazine

Fort Myers City Crews Survey Storm Damage & Assess Repairs

Sep 12, 2017 02:43PM ● By Melanie Heisinger

Courtesy of the City of Fort Myers website

The worst of the storm has passed, but there are still plenty of things to be weary of. There are still power outages in certain parts of Florida, as well as flooding in areas as close as Cape Coral. It is advised that people not return just yet. Read on to get more information.

Fort Myers Fire, Police, and Public Works departments have completed preliminary inspections of the City, its structures, roadways, power lines, and flooding issues. Crews began a limited assessment shortly before midnight, and began full-time assessment and cleanup activities at daybreak. Crews worked along a preplanned grid system conducting a methodic survey of the City and created a database of issues facing the City and its residents.

At this time, major arteries and state roads have been cleared, providing access for first responders to support life, safety, and search and rescue missions. Crews continue to complete a city-wide damage assessment and have begun clearing secondary and neighborhood streets.  City of Fort Myers solid waste (trash and recycling) pickups are suspended until further notice to allow personnel to assist with the storm cleanup efforts.

The initial survey identified more than 350 issues needing attention within the City limits. The issues include:
  • 60 – Intersection issues (signals or impassable)
  • 150 - Street issues
  • 10 - Debris Areas
  • 40 - Safety Conditions
  • 72 – Powerline issues
  • 22 – Compromised Structures
  • 3 – Utility issues
Several major intersections have had power restored since the initial assessment, and numerous road blockages have been cleared.  All citizens are asked to avoid unnecessary driving, as roadways still are hazardous.  People that need to drive are asked to treat intersections without traffic signals as a four way stop. Do not drive straight through a traffic light that is not operating.

The Public Works department is requesting that residents and businesses practice responsible water conservation throughout the Hurricane Irma recovery period.  Power outages like those experienced during Hurricane Irma create limiting conditions at water treatment plants. Outages can also disrupt activity at the lift stations that are used to send wastewater to treatment plants.  These lift stations can overflow and even back up when overused during an emergency.

The City’s Public Works department encourages a number of responsible water conservation practices:

  • Please limit toilet flushing
  • If you need to take a shower, make it brief. 
  • Do not run the dishwasher or your clothes washing machine
  • Make sure your automatic sprinklers are turned off
By conserving water, citizens will ensure that all of Fort Myers will have water and wastewater service through the emergency and recovery periods.

Citizens with questions about their water service may call the City call center at 239-321-8100.  
Residents are asked to reserve use of 9-1-1 for life safety emergencies only.  

General information about the Hurricane emergency, shelters, and recovery efforts can call the 2-1-1 Help Line by dialing 2-1-1 or 239-433-3900.  The 2-1-1 Help Line is operational 24 hours a day. 

Dunbar High School Added to Shelter ListLee County Emergency

Management has added Dunbar High School to its list of facilities that are providing post-Irma shelter for those displaced or who have incurred damage to their homes.  Dunbar High School is located at 3800 Edison Ave.

Lee County's five post-storm shelters include:

  • DUNBAR HIGH SCHOOL- 3800 Edison Avenue, Fort Myers
  • DUNBAR MIDDLE SCHOOL - 4750 Winkler Ave. Extension, Fort Myers
  • NORTH FORT MYERS REC CENTER- 2000 N. Recreation Way, North Fort Myers
  • GERMAIN ARENA- 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero
  • ALICO ARENA, Florida Gulf Coast University Campus
Decisions about how long the shelters will remain open will be made in tandem with Emergency Management recovery efforts this week. All shelters are pet friendly. Please bring a crate for your animal or a leash. 


The City of Fort Myers will continue to prepare for local recovery from Hurricane Irma and issue more updates.