Fort Myers Beach Re-Opens Following Hurricane Ian Closure, DeSantis: ‘Everyone Needs to Be Able to Return’

By Amber Jo Cooper

Published Oct. 10, 2022, 9:41 a.m. ET | Updated Oct. 10, 2022

"Just 10 days after Hurricane Ian made landfall, residents now have access to return to Fort Myers Beach," Gov. Ron DeSantis, Oct. 8, 2022.

FORT MYERS (FLV) – The Town of Fort Myers Beach reopened access to the town for residents, property owners, business owners and insurance adjusters following the closure due to Hurricane Ian.

Although access is allowed, officials say there is no power, no water, no open businesses, no food, no wastewater service and no trash pickup.

Officials warn that many structures are destroyed, and almost all buildings are unsafe to enter.

Most residents of Fort Myers Beach evacuated prior to the storm, which was covered in 12-18 feet of salt water from the storm surge.

“Since the storm, the effort to save lives and recover the remains of lost loved ones has been the top priority,” said Fort Myers Beach Mayor Ray Murphy.

“We are now ready to move to the next step in the recovery process.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis said “everyone needs to be able to return to their property,” and thanked those involved with re-establishing access.

Just 10 days after Hurricane Ian made landfall, residents now have access to return to Fort Myers Beach. Everyone needs to be able to return to their property.

Thank you to all involved with re-establishing access to this area, and we are working to get it fully restored. pic.twitter.com/zNbvBNMyfq
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) October 8, 2022

Fort Myers residents and businesses owners can visit the Fort Myers Beach official website for more information.

As Southwest Florida continues to clean up and recover from the storm, many other infrastructure repairs are also underway.

It was previously reported that Pine Island is now open to the public thanks to the speedy efforts of crews who installed a temporary bridge for access.

The Sanibel Causeway, which was also damaged in the storm, will be accessible by the end of October.

The contract for the Sanibel Causeway bridge repair was awarded as DeSantis directed the Florida Department of Transportation to prioritize the project.