Fort Myers Beach Faces Hurricane Milton's Fury

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Hurricane Milton: Fort Myers Beach Suspends Emergency Services as storm surge rises

FOX 4 Now

Oct 9, 2024

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News & Politics

Severe flooding impacts Fort Myers Beach

  1. The report is from the fifth floor of a building, indicating a safe location amidst the flooding caused by Hurricane Milton. The Gulf of Mexico and Matanza Pass Back Bay have merged into one body of water, overtaking Estero Boulevard.
  2. The location is the North End of the island at the Pink Shell, a normally busy area now submerged under water. The flooding has covered Estero Boulevard, but no large debris, vehicles, or parts of homes are seen floating, unlike during Hurricane Ian.
  3. Post-Hurricane Ian, efforts have been made to elevate structures at least 15 feet to prevent future flood damage. A house under construction is noted to be elevated, with water levels far from the living quarters, indicating a shift in building practices.
  4. The community is still recovering from Hurricane Ian, which struck two years ago, and Hurricane Helen, which also caused significant sand displacement. Large piles of sand remain on Estero Boulevard, reminiscent of snow piles in northern regions after heavy snowfall.

Fort Myers Beach braces for Hurricane Milton

  1. The sand from Aero Boulevard was swept away by back-to-back storms, and efforts to rejuvenate the beach were futile as the storm surge from Hurricane Milton covered the area again.
  2. Floodwaters from the Gulf have connected to Matanza Pass, inundating Estero Boulevard, which led town officials to issue an evacuation order over the weekend, requiring residents to leave by Monday at 3:00 p.m.
  3. The early evacuation order, issued more than 48 hours before the worst conditions, helped prevent massive destruction and floating debris on the streets.
  4. Fort Myers Beach fire rescue officials have suspended operations due to unsafe conditions, including high winds and impassable roads, and will resume responding to 911 calls once it is safe.
  5. Residents on Fort Myers Beach are advised to stay elevated, as the floodwaters continue to rise, making the situation appear worse than previous storms like Hurricane Helen.