Reconstruction efforts on Fort Myers Beach have hit a new roadblock because a recent FEMA mandate requires the removal of hundreds of temporary structures, leaving contractors and local businesses to find solutions.
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REBUILD DELAYS: Fort Myers Beach contractors struggle to find storage after FEMA orders removal of containers
With less than two months to comply, the mandate is causing significant concern for people who are working to rebuild the beach community after Hurricane Ian.
Contractors have been using storage containers along Estero Boulevard to house tools and materials essential to their rebuilding efforts. However, a federal law now mandates that these containers, especially those near the beach, must be removed. This sudden change is expected to slow down the progress of reconstruction.
Fox4“We reached out to FEMA again this morning for clarification. They made it clear that everything on the gulf side needs to be removed, including containers two lots north of Estero,” said Frankie Kropacek, the Operations & Compliance Director for the town of Fort Myers Beach.