Lee County: What you still need to know about curfews, boil water notices and more
Here's the latest information on all Lee County restrictions for Saturday, Oct. 8.
Have any other post-Hurricane Ian questions you need answers to? Email me at sneely@gannett.com
Am I still under a curfew?
It depends on your area.
On Oct. 7, Lee County rescinded the countywide curfew put in place immediately following Hurricane Ian.
A curfew remains in place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily on Pine Island and Captiva.
Here are the known curfews for other individual municipality:
Bonita Springs — Also rescinded the curfew; however the Bonita Beach area curfew, including the areas in Big Hickory Island and Little Hickory Island, is still in place from 7 p.m. - 7 a.m.
Cape Coral — 9 p.m. - 6 a.m.
Fort Myers Beach — Access is still closed off for most residents; However access to FMB for residents between Times Square & Bowditch 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Oct. 8
Sanibel — 7 p.m. - 7 a.m.
Phased reopening: Fort Myers Beach residents back on the island for the first time since Hurricane Ian
Power restoration: Power restoration in SWFL: LCEC reports 72% of customer are back on line
Do I still need to boil my water?
It also depends on your area and what system you're under.
Bonita Springs
Still under a precautionary boil water notice for customers residing in these area:
25710-27857, 27866, 27870 Hickory Boulevard
Bay Road
Cajeput Lane
Seagrape Lane
Cypress Lane
Cape Hickory Court
McLaughlin Boulevard
Marimin Drive
Hickory Bay Drive
Hickory View Drive
8700 thru 9950 Estero Blvd
Latest statement from Bonita Springs Utilities:
"In order to repair a water line break, it was necessary to close valves in the water distribution system in your area today. Water was shut down resulting in a loss of pressure below 20 psi."
"Therefore, this notice is written as a “precautionary boil water notice” advising that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative, bottled water may be used."
"This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink. You will receive another notice to that effect."
Cape Coral
Not anymore.
The City of Cape Coral received clearance from the Health Department on Saturday to rescind the citywide boil water notice issued on September 28.
Officials said over two days, the Lee County Department of Health took and tested a month's worth of water samples to ensure City water was not contaminated due to loss of pressure from hurricane damage.
"The City of Cape Coral follows strict federal and state laws monitoring water contaminants. These samples confirm that Cape Coral's water is not contaminated and that no further precautions are needed."
Fort Myers
Still under a citywide boil water notice.
"We would like to thank our residents for all your help as we work nonstop to return our city to normalcy. It will take us a while to rebuild after Hurricane Ian, but we are strong, resilient and united in the face of adversity. Since winds subsided, our crews and first responders have been out in the community clearing roads and managing emergencies. We are gathering information about which stores are currently open to provide those details as well," the city's website said Saturday.
Lee County Government
Still under a systemwide boil water notice.
Lee County officials said in Saturday update that due to multiple water main breaks, residents may experience intermittent disturbances in water pressure or no water.
"Reports of broken pipes continue, however much less frequently. The Health Department has started testing the water and will determine when it is safe," the county notice said Saturday.
In the meantime, officials said all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth or washing dishes must be boiled at a rolling boil for one minute. Or, as an alternative, bottled water may be used. This remains in effect until the pipes are repaired and the Health Department lab clears the water samples and the water is deemed safe to drink.
They added that, for residents with sewer, just because power has been restored to your home does not mean that power has been restored to all lift stations.
They ended their update with these tips:
Limit the amount of toilet flushing
Abstain from running dishwashers and clothes washers.
Limit the amount of water used during a shower or the amount to fill the bathtub.
Are shelters/resource centers still open?
Yes, they are.
If your home was impacted by the storm and you need shelter, Lee County government still has open shelters for residents to go to.
Two emergency shelters are open as of Oct. 8:
Estero Recreation Center — 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero, FL 33928
Hertz Arena — 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero, FL 33928
Lee County also has centers open which aim to provide services, resources and information for those affected by Hurricane Ian. They are open 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily.
The locations are:
Lakes Regional Library — 15290 Bass Road, Fort Myers. A LeeTran shuttle will run from the Kelly Road Soccer Complex, 10750 Kelly Road, to the library site. The shuttle is free and will run continuously, beginning at 8 a.m. daily.
2295 Victoria Ave. (Fort Myers)
Where can I get water/food/essentials?
Lee County, joined by state and federal partners, are continuing their Points of Distribution (PODs) for hurricane-impacted residents who need food and water.
These seven locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
Old Bonita Library, 26876 Pine Ave., Bonita Springs
Co
Cape Coral Leonard Street, 4820 Leonard St., Cape Coral
Estero High School Ballfield Park, 9100 Williams Road, Estero
North Fort Myers Recreation Center, 2000 N. Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers
Fleamasters Fleamarket, 4135 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers
Veterans Park Recreation Center, 55 Homestead Road S., Lehigh Acres
Their site also names 12 locations for free food/water:
Fort Myer's Sam's Club — 5170 S Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, 33907
Walmart — 17105 San Carlos Blvd, Fort Myers 33931
Southward Village Edison and Ford — Edison Ave and Ford St, Fort Myers
19106 Unicorn Ln, Fort Myers 33908
Cape Coral Walmart — 1619 Del Prado Blvd. S, Cape Coral 33990
Tropical Shores Way, Fort Myers Beach 33931
Big Lots — 13970 N Cleveland Ave, North Fort Myers 33903
Capital Pawn — 4786 Palm Beach Blvd, Fort Myers
Estero High School — 21900 River Ranch Rd, Estero 33928
Ocean Church — 2016 Kismet Parkway E, Cape Coral 33909
Roaming in West Cape Coral Island — 3922 Pine Island Rd NW, Matlacha
American Legion — 27678 Imperial Shores Blvd, Bonita Springs
Where can I put my storm debris?
Lee County sent out a news release Saturday offering reminders related to household trash and debris pickup.
Residents’ storm debris will be collected by a different company than regular household garbage.
Officials said residents can help expedite cleanup in their neighborhoods by being aware of the following:
Storm debris:
Create separate piles for vegetative debris, construction debris and appliances.
Do not bag or put storm debris in containers.
The contractor uses large claw trucks, so keep piles away from obstacles such as mailboxes, utility meters or overhead power lines.
Household garbage:
For public health and safety reasons, for the week of Oct. 10 residents are asked to help place wet, rotting garbage at the curb. If you are able, refrain from setting out dry household garbage until the following week.
Recycling collection is scheduled to resume the week of Oct. 17.
Regular yard waste collection does not yet have a start date.
Important note:
The process of collecting both regular garbage and storm debris is expedited if residents use clear bags as much as possible so that the contents are visible to the debris contractor and regular hauler.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Hurricane Ian aftermath information: Get the latest Lee County updates
