Town and first responders prepare for Tropical Storm Idalia

The Town and its first responder partners are taking precautions to prepare for Tropical Storm Idalia that is currently in the Gulf of Mexico and could impact Fort Myers Beach this week. All of Lee County is under a tropical storm watch with storm surge possible of two to four feet.  

On Saturday, August 25, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis declared an emergency for Idalia in 33 counties in Florida, including Lee County. Though Idalia currently appears to be headed north of Tampa and along the Panhandle, the Governor continues to caution all counties along the Southwest Coast of Florida to be ready for outer bands of wind, rain, storm surge and a last-minute shift in direction. 

The Town has enacted its emergency plan which includes coordination with the Fort Myers Beach Fire District, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lee County Emergency Operations Center. This plan includes securing all Town facilities and communicating key messages with the public. 

Current key messages regarding Idalia are:  

• Prepare an emergency plan and make sure everyone in your family is briefed;

• If you are living in an RV or have a mobile food truck, the Town is requesting that you move the trailer off island as a precaution. Please do not plan to ride out this storm in a trailer.  

• Stock non-perishable food and water for your family and your pets that will sustain everyone for at least a week in case power and water utilities are down;

• Secure any loose items in your yard or around the outside of your house, including garbage cans, lawn furniture and decorations, to make sure they don’t become flying objects.

• Move furniture and belongings from your first floor to your second floor to protect in the event of flooding;

• Fill your vehicles with gas; 

• Have cash in case credit and debit card machines go down;

• Charge all electronic devices including cell phones, and keep them charged;

• Connect to the Town’s social media, website, text and email, and CODE RED alert systems as well as local media, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the FMB Fire District, Lee County Public Safety, and Lee County Government to stay up on weather and other emergency alerts. 

• We will have a public information board off-island, in the parking lot of Wal-Mart on Summerlin, with current messages. Staff will be there to answer questions. 

• Hurricane re-entry passes are available at Town Hall Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please see the attached instructions about hurricane re-entry passes. 

• Mooring Field is open for safe harborage for boaters who need to ride out the storm on their vessels. See the attached information about that service. 

• We are working to provide sand and sand bags. Watch our social media and website for details. Plan to bring your own shovel. 

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TOWN OF FORT MYERS BEACH MOORING FIELD TROPICAL STORM / HURRICANE NOTICE 

10:00 AM EST, August 28, 2023.  

The National Hurricane Center has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for South of Englewood to Chokoloskee Florida, including the Town of Fort Myers Beach, however a major hurricane impact is still possible.  Matanzas Pass Mooring Field is OPEN to vessels in transit seeking safe harbor and refuge.

Vessels are permitted to be secured in the Matanzas Pass Mooring Field under the direction of the HARBORMASTER. No rental fees will be charged for the duration of the storm. Registration with the HARBORMASTER is required. If conditions at the time of arrival preclude going ashore by dinghy to register, vessel operators must contact the HARBORMASTER by radio or cell radio, cell phone, or other means of communication such as DOCKWA to provide registration information. 

MATANZAS PASS MOORING FIELD INFORMATION

Channel: VHF 16
Harbor Office Phone: 239-224-4118
Harbor Master Cell Phone: 239-225-2096
Town Hall Phone: 239-765-0202
DOCKWA Registration Website: https://dockwa.com
Mooring Field Information: https://fmbgov.com/

Contact Town Maritime Staff if there is anything we can do to help you during this time. Please message us through DOCKWA. This notice letter should in no way be construed as a recommendation that the Matanzas Pass Mooring Field is the safest place to be in a storm. Implement your hurricane action plan NOW. Check the National Hurricane Center often for updates: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

 Sincerely,

Captain Austin Gilchrist, Harbormaster

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Please stay connected to multiple ways of receiving news and information during weather and other emergencies.