Today is day 11 (yes, ELEVEN) after hurricane Ian and Fort Myers Beach is now open to residents and businesses with hurricane passes. Please keep in mind, no structure is deemed safe. Everyone should enter their property at their own risk. If you question doing anything do NOT do it for your own safety. There are wires, cars, debris just EVERYWHERE.
If you live in a condo, please remember you have no elevators. You’re walking up and down however many flights of stairs your condo has to reach your unit. Please also remember, the water and sewer on the island is NOT working currently.
It takes hours to get on and off the island via the NORTH BRIDGE from Fort Myers ONLY. The south bridge from Naples and Bonita Springs is still closed for repairs because it is not safe for use at this time.
Come with a full tank of gas. There are no gas station resources on the island. There are no portable toilets yet, but they are coming. I strongly suggest giving it some amount of time unless you are a hard core camper or survivalist. There are NO services of any kind to assist you yet.
Be prepared with a travel kit that includes necessities and medications
Bring your EVERYTHING with you. Bug spray, sunblock, water for washing, water for drinking, soap, gloves, shovels, medications, and if you’re a drinker… bring lots of vodka because you will need it to dull the pain AND sanitize what is left of our lives on Fort Myers Beach. I am sorry to be blunt, but I do not want anyone coming who is not prepared.
What about power?
FPL is doing their best, but there is no power on the island currently. This does NOT mean you can assume a line is not energized. You must still be mindful of many 100% unknown factors on the island currently. Goodluck and may our very long recovery begin.