Fort Myers Beach preparing to allow more residents back on the island

Fort Myers Beach says it will start allowing more residents back on the island beginning Sunday morning.

Previously, the town was only allowing people who lived north of Times Square to return.

Beginning on Sunday, residents living between the Big Carlos Pass Bridge and the Beach Theater on the south side of the island and those who live between Times Square and Bowditch Point Park on the north end of the island will be allowed back starting at 7 a.m. Sunday.

Residents between the Beach Theater and Publix can enter after 8 a.m., between Publix and Town Hall at 9 a.m., and those from Town Hall to Times Square can enter after 10 a.m.

In a press conference on Saturday, the Fort Myers Beach mayor said there is no water or power on the island, and there will be no trash pickup. The fire department also said that there are no structures safe to enter at this time.

Residents who want to return to see the damage are expected to be back off the island by 7 p.m., when an overnight curfew will begin.

This change also marks a change for the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District. They are transitioning back to normal fire service operations after spending the last week doing search and rescue and recovery missions on the island.

“The challenges that this storm has presented and continues to present to our town, this district, and all of our lives cannot be put into words,” said Chief Ron Martin in a press release on Saturday. ‘But the people who make up your fire district have stepped up in every way needed, along with much-appreciated help from our out-of-state friends.”

“It’s time for us to get back to what we’re meant to – answering your calls for help which includes supporting the ongoing efforts to find our neighbors and loved ones who can no longer call for help,” said Martin.

The transition includes leaving the town’s resident-access operation to be managed by town leadership. As residents return, the fire department says the need for emergency services returns as well.