Fort Myers Beach declares local emergency ahead of Hurricane Idalia; beach begins to flood
Hurricane Idalia is making herself felt in Southwest Florida, causing flooding on Fort Myers Beach hours after the town declared a local emergency Tuesday morning.
The emergency declaration was an administrative measure that allows the town to make storm recovery purchases without prior town council approval.
“It’s not the time to panic, but it is time to be prepared," Mayor Dan Allers said Tuesday morning.
A News-Press photographer observed flooding under the Matanzas Pass Bridge and in Times Square, which was virtually destroyed by Hurricane Ian 11 months ago.
Unlike during Ian, Lee County's barrier islands were not expected to bear the brunt of the storm as it heads for landfall in Florida's Big Bend. But Fort Myers Beach was still forecast to receive 2 to 4 feet of storm surge, which could cause flooding when combined with tonight's king tide, Allers said.
“With the beach berm being 80 percent done, we’re hoping that will keep away most of the water on the beach side," he said. “We may see water coming over the sea walls.”
The island still has upwards of 100 people living in travel and FEMA trailers as they repair properties damaged in Hurricane Ian, according to Allers. While there is no evacuation order, Allers urged people staying in trailers to get off the island and head to storm shelters at the Estero Recreation Center and North Fort Myers Recreation Center.
With much of Fort Myers Beach still an active construction site, debris from loose building materials could pose a danger even in sub-hurricane winds. Town workers were out canvassing the island for unsecured work sites and property owners should make sure their bricks and cinder blocks don't become a hazard, Allers said.
“If you have a construction site, please, please get it secure as best as you possibly can, not only for your protection but your neighbors," he said.
Hurricane Ian killed dozens of people on the island when it made landfall last September, causing a 15-foot storm surge and rocking the resort town with 150 mph winds.
Allers said residents should be particularly cautious on the following flood-prone roads: Crescent, First, Second, Third and Anchorage Streets; Bahia Via; Estrellita and Andre Mar Drives; Fairview Lane; Lazy Way; and Dakota and Oak Ridge Avenues.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Fort Myers Beach braces for effects of Hurricane Idalia
