Tears, frustration and anger at first Fort Myers Beach council meeting since Hurricane Ian

Phil Fernandez, Fort Myers News-Press
·10 min read
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The turbulent waters for Fort Myers Beach didn't end with Hurricane Ian after one of the most powerful storm strikes in history.

Waves of frustration, anger and crying drenched the Town Council's first meeting since the violence that crushed the coast 22 days ago.

Close to 200 crowded an air-conditioned makeshift board room Thursday created inside the former SkipOne Seafood restaurant off Estero Island at 17650 San Carlos Blvd. in place of smashed Town Hall. Even though the invocation produced some sobs, it didn't completely soothe frayed nerves from the sleepless nights beach leaders and residents are enduring.

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As has been the case with the town's official Facebook page and other sites, hundreds of questions cascaded onto the council.

While there was much asked regarding needs of the individual speakers, they brought up a wide range including safety on the island, communications, utilities, permitting and debris.

Fort Myers Beach residents take a moment during a meeting at the old Skip One building on San Carlos Boulevard on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022. It was first town council meeting since Hurricane Ian made landfall. It was an emotionally charged meeting with some residents showing frustration about the response. On the right is Fort Myers Beach resident, Ellen Vaugh.

There was some annoyance about the inability initially to reach the beach for those wanting to clean up or at least take a glimpse at their tattered properties that were swallowed under a record 15-foot storm surge or blown apart Sept. 28 by Ian's ferocious winds that peaked at 155 mph.

A few were troubled that they couldn't access their homes while FEMA and fire district representatives continued search, rescue and recovery in the massive amounts of debris and 3,501 collapsed structures or endanger of doing so. Other residents understood, as conveyed on social media and at Thursday's meeting.

"People are attacking our fire chief for a decision to place life before property," said long-time beach resident and merchant John Bennett. He "has the task of running the rescue efforts, the town government is responsible for the emergency management once (search and rescue) is done."

SWFL Ian death toll rose Thursday

New numbers from the state Thursday increased Southwest Florida's death toll by three to 55 for Lee County and seven for Collier as beach survivors continued to deal with obstacles.

Even before the emergence of Ian, getting on and off Estero Island has been challenging for more than a half-century regardless of the time of year. In the winter, motorists wait hours trying to navigate from San Carlos Boulevard and onto the two-lane Matanzas Pass Bridge and Estero Boulevard. Most of those have been tourists.

But in the Ian aftermath, the jam of vehicles consists largely of those among the 7,000 residents and their contractors wanting to rebuild.

At first, conveyed largely through social media, a few inhabitants found the restrictions too stringent in allowing access, with authorities stopping vehicles, checking credentials and delaying traffic. And then, when leaders loosened it up after hearing the concerns, the complaints shifted to worries about safety and perhaps making it too easy for those who don't belong to slip through.

"They weren't going to let just anyone on, but there was so many people fussing and complaining and whining about wanting to get on the island that it got opened up," resident Kizz Menowa said. "You can't have it both ways. You can't keep it closed and open it up."

Members of the Fort Myers Beach town council listen to residents during a meeting at the old Skip One building on San Carlos Boulevard on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022. It was first town council meeting since Hurricane Ian made landfall. It was an emotionally charged meeting with some residents showing frustration about the response.
Members of the Fort Myers Beach town council listen to residents during a meeting at the old Skip One building on San Carlos Boulevard on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022. It was first town council meeting since Hurricane Ian made landfall. It was an emotionally charged meeting with some residents showing frustration about the response.

Based informally on what was said Thursday, more seemed to favor "hurricane" passes or having some form of ID showing a beach address even if it slowed passage, which council will weigh.

"We need to close this island down to everybody except the residents and the people that are helping," beach resident Mike Marcum said. "Now, anybody (is) driving up and down this island."

Also complicating matters has been the link to the south side of the beach, where Ian had crippled the bridges known as Big Carlos Pass, Big Hickory, Little Carlos Pass and New Pass. Those reopened Wednesday to residents and workers.

“It’s a huge step forward in recovery for the town," Mayor Ray Murphy said. "Having access to the island from the south and going to the south is a real game changer.”

With many without power, wi-fi and other services, communications have been hampered, with regular information from town officials via its Facebook page, where users are getting responses. However, reliance on the digital world is failing residents, speakers said.

"You're telling them to go on the website to look up information they can't even access," Mango Rita's owner Jason Ingream said. Officials "tell people, 'Oh, get on our website.' Nobody has internet service. No one."

The lack of widespread water service is also disturbing, said an emotional beach resident Jennifer Rusk.

Water continues to trouble residents

Jennifer Rusk, a resident of Fort Myers Beach speaks during public comment during a town council meeting at the old Skip One building on San Carlos Boulevard. It was first town council meeting since Hurricane Ian made landfall. It was an emotionally charged meeting with some residents showing frustration about the response.
Jennifer Rusk, a resident of Fort Myers Beach speaks during public comment during a town council meeting at the old Skip One building on San Carlos Boulevard. It was first town council meeting since Hurricane Ian made landfall. It was an emotionally charged meeting with some residents showing frustration about the response.

"Water is our right. It is not something that can be dangled above us to get a permit or to get our structural engineering," Rusk said. "Water is our natural right."

Later in the meeting, Utilities Director Christy Cory explained the dilemma, as she said the service is getting closer and closer to being restored on the side streets as the battered system gets tested and any repairs are made.

"We're doing our best we can do for these residents. I am not against giving anyone water," Cory said, tears rolling down her face that was followed by applause for her and someone shouting, "Christy, you're doing a helluva job."

"We don't want to turn on a meter obviously to anyone's house that doesn't have proper plumbing. I don't want to flood anyone that's already devastated," Cory said. "I promise, I promise we'll get it. I promise we'll get there."

And there are other dangers as well with all the damage to buildings, which is another reason officials are being cautious and making sure homes are closely checked for structural and other elements, Town Manager Roger T. Hernstadt said.

"We think that is the safest approach," Hernstadt said. "We want to make sure no one gets electrocuted by accident."

Christy Cory, the utilities manager for the town of Fort Myers Beach answers questions from the town council during a meeting at the old Skip One building on San Carlos Boulevard. It was first town council meeting since Hurricane Ian made landfall. It was an emotionally charged meeting with some residents showing frustration about the response.
Christy Cory, the utilities manager for the town of Fort Myers Beach answers questions from the town council during a meeting at the old Skip One building on San Carlos Boulevard. It was first town council meeting since Hurricane Ian made landfall. It was an emotionally charged meeting with some residents showing frustration about the response.

Residents also were uneasy that the town staff wasn't going to be able to handle all the permitting that is going to be pouring in, hampering rapid redevelopment, but Murphy said that is being addressed.

"It's not just our little 50-person town staff although they're doing a great job. It's just not going to be that staff. We're going to be supplemented by hundreds of other bodies that are going to be helping us do the job. They're on their way," Murphy said. "These assets are coming in from up north. They're coming in from FEMA. They're coming in from everywhere."

Questions pile up about debris

Debris was also a hot topic among those who spoke.

"The question is, 'What do we do if my house blows up on your property, and you want to get rid it, who pays for it, who gets it out of there?" said Murphy, who had follow up meetings earlier Thursday, pushing for an answer from federal and state leaders. "That decision is going to be made by the state and the federal (government).

"We are hoping that FEMA is going to cover all of that, and that's the decision we're waiting on right now. That is extremely important to all of us on the beach, as soon as the feds and the state come to an agreement on that."

Fort Myers Beach mayor Ray Murphy speaks at a town council meeting on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022.
Fort Myers Beach mayor Ray Murphy speaks at a town council meeting on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022.

Other Beach updates from the town

• Next week: At 4 p.m. Tuesday, there will be a meeting to provide an opportunity for residents to hear from representatives from various agencies assisting in the restoration. This meeting will also take place at the former seafood restaurant.

• Access: The bridges to the island are open to residents and their contractors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Mondays and Tuesdays are reserved for "essential response personnel" as deemed by island officials.

• Inspections: Once water and electricity is restored in residential areas, residents need to get an inspection from a Florida licensed structural engineer and an electrician to get water and power turned on. Both inspection reports then need to be sent via email to buildingpermits@fmbgov.com, noting the address and the contractors’ Florida license number. Town officials say they are processing hundreds of inspections.

•  Water service: Water service has not reached the side streets, as employees test the primary water main to make sure it can hold pressure. Fire hydrants are also being tested.

• Damage assessments:  In conjunction with the Army Corps of Engineers infrastructure assessment team and experts on design and construction, town building are conducting building assessments. The intent is to quickly assess the habitability of a structure and recommend a rating of safe to enter, restricted use, or not safe to enter.

Crews using a crane removed the Sea Trek from the mangroves along San Carlos Boulevard on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022. A captain and a member of the crew were trying to save the boat during Hurricane Ian. As the storm surge from the storm rushed in, they ended up floating over the roadway and deposited in the mangroves. The hope is to repair the boat and return it to the water for working trips.

• Debris: Coordinating with Lee County, more than 120,000 cubic yards has been removed, but beach officials didn't have an estimate Thursday night of what's left. The debris is being deposited on the Bay Oaks recreational campus and Lovers Key.

• Power restoration: As it continues with repairs, Florida Power & Light will energize homes that have passed town structural and electrical inspections. With more structures receiving electricity by the day, FPL is replacing all meters on residential properties.

• Fire inspection and permit fees suspended: The Board of Fire Commissioners and Fire Chief Ronald L. Martin have suspended fees into January.

• Roof permits: Access, complete and submit roof permits on the town’s website at www.fmbgov.com. Send questions to buildingpermits@fmbgov.com.

• Contractors: Use only licensed and registered contractors. A list of registered contractors of all types, including electrical, is on the Building Services page of the town’s website at www.fmbgov.com/building. Also available: the state’s database of licensed contractors at https://dcnonline.org/

Where to find more help

♦ At least three SBA Recovery Centers have been opened in Southwest Florida:

► The Naples Players, 701 Fifth Ave. S., Naples. Opens at 9 a.m. every day and closes at 4:30 p.m. Mondays and 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

► The Hub at SWFL Inc., 25071 Chamber of Commerce Drive, Bonita Springs. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

► Kiwanis Club of Cape Coral, 360 Santa Barbara Blvd. S., Cape Coral. Times are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and closed on other days.

♦ President Biden has authorized Southwest Florida enterprises and private nonprofit organizations of any size to borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other assets. Go to https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/

More: 'Challenging infrastructure' tests Fort Myers Beach recovery, redevelopment

And: Two weeks after Ian: On long road to recovery, lots of bumps, but clearing ahead

Plus: Amid Hurricane Ian's devastation on Fort Myers Beach, hope persists to rebuild

♦ SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans help small endeavors and most private nonprofit organizations meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Go to https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/economic-injury-disaster-loans

♦ Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate through FEMA or other agencies. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

♦ The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program provides short-term, zero-interest working capital loans to “bridge the gap” between the time a disaster impacts a business and when it can secure longer-term recovery funding, such as federally or commercially available loans. On Google, search "rebuild Florida business loan fund."

More: Ian: Biden brings rebuilding help to hurricane-ravaged Southwest Florida

And: Devastation from Hurricane Ian worse than Charley, Sanibel police chief says

Plus: Amid rising death toll, more glimmers of light in Ian aftermath for SWFL

♦ Disaster unemployment assistance is available to Florida businesses and residents. It's for weeks of unemployment from Sept. 25 to April 1. For assistance call 1-800-385-3920, go to a local CareerSource Career Center or online to floridajobs.org.

♦ The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey. Businesses affected by Ian can complete a damage assessment survey by visiting floridadisaster.biz/BusinessDamageAssessments and selecting “Hurricane Ian.”

Based at the Naples Daily News, Columnist Phil Fernandez (pfernandez@gannett.com) writes In the Know as part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Support Democracy and subscribe to a newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Ian aftermath: Fort Myers Beach holds first meeting since hurricane