UPDATE: Town taking precautions in advance of Tropical Storm Nicole

The Town has more information to share today about precautions that are being taken to prepare for the possibility of Tropical Storm Nicole. It is expected to reach Fort Myers Beach late Wednesday or early Thursday.

Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a State of Emergency on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2022, for several counties in Florida most at risk, which included Lee County and the Town of Fort Myers Beach. Out of an abundance of caution, these are the measures that the Town is taking in advance of the storm:

• The Town is concerned about the amount of debris that could become airborne and the of unsafe structures on the Island that were damaged during Hurricane Ian.
• If you are living in a property with damage from Hurricane Ian or that feels unsafe, the Town recommends leaving the Island until Tropical Storm Nicole passes.
• If you choose to leave the Island, a shelter will open at 7 a.m. Wednesday at the Estero Recreation Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Boulevard, 33928. The shelter has special needs services and accepts pets. Visit the Lee County website for other shelter information.
• LeeTran will be transporting to the shelter from Estero Island on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, starting at 7 a.m. Everyone should plan to be off the Island by Noon on Wednesday.
• Pick up locations for LeeTran are Times Square, Lani Kai Island Resort, DiamondHead Beach Resort, Estero Beach Club, Fort Myers Beach Public Library, Junkanoo, Washington Avenue, Saint Peter's Lutheran church, Newton Beach Park, Avenida Pescadora, Aberdeen Avenue, Mound Road, Santini Plaza, Bay Beach Lane.
• The Community Resource Centers at Times Square and Santini Plaza will close at Noon on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, and remain closed for the duration of the storm. Re-opening is expected to be at 9 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.
• Water and other supplies will be available at the Community Resource Centers until Noon on Wednesday. Please get supplies from these locations ASAP.
• The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at Beach Baptist Church closed at 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7.

Stay tuned to the following sources for the latest information about this storm:

1. Lee County Emergency Operations Center; Lee County; Fort Myers Beach Fire District
2. Town of Fort Myers Beach website homepage
3. Town's Facebook and Twitter social media outlets
4. Local media and their social media outlets