Downtown Fort Myers 6 Months after Hurricane Ian is looking pretty good. However, many signs of the nearly category five storm’s devastation remain. The majority of restaurants and businesses downtown have reopened, but not all. First Street, the primary street running through downtown, became a river during Ian.
The Caloosahatchee River came flowing over the seawall, showing little mercy to the quaint downtown area. The Yacht Basin took a huge hit and it is still quite evident. The once bustling docks sit largely empty. The docks that are left that is. While many of the damaged boats have been removed, sunken remains are still visible. Much of the waterfront is fenced off and there is a noticeable loss of vegetation.
However, there is renewed energy downtown. Many restauranteurs say they have seen a surge of people this season which has helped then breathe a sigh of relief. Visitors who can’t go to the beaches, are discovering the downtown area.
While the islands are still suffering greatly, there are more and more positive signs of recovery. For instance, the historic Sanibel Lighthouse has it’s light back. If you are in Lee County and still need assistance, there are resources here. Collier County residents click here. If you are in Charlotte County, try this.
In addition, there is still FEMA help to remove large items such as cars and boats. However, the deadline to apply is Wednesday, March 29th. Click here for that information.
Here are a few photos of downtown Fort Myers 6 months after Hurricane Ian.
