Residents and enterprise homeowners in Fort Myers Seaside are being allowed to return to the realm on Sunday practically two weeks after Hurricane Ian.
FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. – Practically two weeks after Hurricane Ian made landfall in Southwest Florida, the city of Fort Myers Seaside is now allowing residents and business owners to return to the realm to start the following steps of the restoration course of.
Most residents of Fort Myers Seaside have been off the island since being evacuated when Hurricane Ian approached the realm on the finish of September.
“For the reason that storm, the efforts to save lots of lives and get better the stays of misplaced family members have been the highest precedence,” Fort Myers Seaside Mayor Ray Murphy mentioned. “We are actually prepared to maneuver to the following step within the restoration course of.”
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Entry to Fort Myers Seaside started at 7 a.m. Sunday for residents, property and enterprise homeowners, in addition to insurance coverage adjusters.
Nevertheless, anybody returning to the island should deliver ID or proof of residency to be allowed entry.
HURRICANE IAN LEFT SCARS VISIBLE FROM SPACE ALONG ITS TRAIL OF DESTRUCTION
Nonetheless no electrical energy, water in Fort Myers Seaside
The city of Fort Myers Seaside has began permitting residents, enterprise homeowners and insurance coverage adjusters to return to the island for the primary time since Hurricane Ian devastated the area practically two weeks in the past. FOX Climate multimedia journalist Will Nunley is Fort Myers Seaside with the most recent.
There’s necessary data folks must learn about when returning to Fort Myers Seaside.
There’s nonetheless no energy, water, wastewater service or trash pickup within the area, based on city officers.
As well as, web and cell service should not at full power as crews proceed to make repairs after Hurricane Ian introduced down bushes and utility strains throughout the area.
City officers warn many buildings have been broken or destroyed, and virtually all buildings are unsafe to enter.
There’s additionally no meals or water accessible on the island, and no companies are open.
A 7 p.m. curfew additionally stays in place.
The island additionally had been coated by 12 to 18 ft of storm surge, which compromised the structural integrity of many houses and companies. Electrical programs are additionally broken throughout the island.
Injury is ‘catastrophic’
City officers are handing out notices to folks returning to Fort Myers Seaside warning that injury to houses and companies is “catastrophic.”
FOX Climate multimedia journalist Will Nunley is in Fort Myers Seaside as residents start returning to survey the injury and begin choosing up the items.
Nunley spoke with Fort Myers Seaside resident Tim Newman who mentioned he is been again on the island for just a few days now and will get the sense that individuals will rebuild what was misplaced.
“There have been 20 buildings right here,” he mentioned whereas pointing to the scene of devastation behind him. “Gone. Car parking zone – gone. That is fairly wonderful.”
Newman mentioned he spoke with one in every of his neighbors who lived on the island for 47 years and mentioned he would rebuild.
“He is been there 47 years in that home that is toppled over over there,” he mentioned. “He will rebuild. He already instructed me that.”
Nunley mentioned he is been watching folks type by way of the particles and get better what they’ll.
“That is going to be a rare few hours and days for people who find themselves coming again,” Nunley mentioned. “It is one factor to see this on tv, proper? To see the view we give folks from the air in its totality. However to be down right here and stroll by way of this, and see folks react coming again to what might have been their solely residence and begin over and attempt to discover something which will have been left inside is really outstanding.”