Fort Myers, FL, Oct. 1, 2022 – Lee County and its local, state and federal partners continue search and rescue efforts and infrastructure assessment and repairs, and widespread community recovery.
Health and medical:
Anyone in the vicinity of Gulf Coast Medical Center should adhere to direction from officials on scene as the DMAT mobilizes.
Residents should continue to call 911 in the event of a life-threatening emergency. The DMAT is not open yet. Updates will be provided as they become available.
Transportation:
Motorists should continue to limit all non-essential travel.
Lee DOT also is assessing the county’s more than 400 traffic signals. Motorists who approach intersections with non-working signals, drive as if it’s a four-way stop or obey any on-scene law enforcement officers.
Bridges continue to be assessed and evaluated. The following bridges are closed: Sanibel Causeway, three bridges in Matlacha, New Pass, Big Carlos Pass Bridge and Big Hickory Pass Bridge.
Utilities:
Some customers of Lee County Utilities who have been without water will begin seeing service resume today and over the next few days. Water pressure likely will drop off periodically as repairs are made and generators are serviced. A Boil Water Notice remains in effect for all customers of Lee County Utilities as well as other utilities serving Lee County. Customers of some utilities – such as FGUA in Lehigh and Bonita Springs Utilities – no longer have to boil water. Check with your utility to determine your status – but if you do not know, continue to boil as a precaution.
Please continue to conserve water and limit use as service returns. Limit washing-machine and dishwasher use; avoid washing vehicles. Do not open manholes or sewer cleanouts to drain streets or yards.
Island evacuee transport today:
Pine Island: Evacuees who arrive by private boat on the east side of Matlacha can go to D&D Matlacha Bait & Tackle, 3922 Pine Island Road NW to get a ride to a shelter.
Sanibel: The U.S. Coast Guard has organized a water-borne operation to help Sanibel residents evacuate from the island to the mainland to assist efforts of the Sanibel Police and Fire & Rescue. The boat departs from Sanibel Boat Ramp, near the Causeway, approximately every 90 minutes to two hours today. A bus will transport passengers to Lee County shelters.
Free food and water
Lee County – along with state and federal partners – today opened Points of Distribution (PODs) for hurricane-impacted residents who need food and water.
The county is coordinating the initial opening of eight PODs throughout the county. Announcements will be made with location information as more PODs are mobilized and opened as supplies become available.
Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
As PODs open, the county will use its media partners, its Emergency Alert System (which reaches residents’ phones), its website and social media to inform the public of the POD locations. Check www.leegov.com for POD updates or follow @Lee County Government on Facebook,
www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc.
Locations now open:
- Old Bonita Library, 26876 Pine Ave., Bonita Springs
- Kelly Road Soccer Complex, 10750 Kelly Road, Fort Myers
- Cape Coral Sports Complex, 1410 Sports Blvd., Cape Coral
- 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
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. ~ John 15:13
Susan M. Lindenmuth, MS, MPIO, CDM
Director of Public Affairs
Estero Fire Rescue
21500 Three Oaks Parkway
Estero, FL 33928
Ph: (239) 390-8000
Fax: (239) 390-8020
Cell: (239) 691-4123
lindenmuth