Hurricane Ian Recovery

Going Beyond Excellence to Support Our Neighbors

As recovery continues, Royal Shell will be there to help. We will continue to update this page with helpful links to be a resource to our communities, neighbors, and friends, including information about access, utilities, infrastructure, permitting, and business openings throughout Southwest Florida, like What’s Open on Sanibel, and What’s Open on Captiva.

MOST RECENT UPDATE:

Tuesday, March 28

SANIBEL/CAPTIVA

Sanibel Home Mail Delivery Has Resumed — Great news! The USPS is now delivering mail to the homes of Sanibel residents (who have a mailbox).

Causeway Traffic Delays Expected Today — Expect intermittent delays today, Tuesday, March 28, until 3 pm for eastbound (off-island) traffic. As part of today’s restoration work on the Sanibel Causeway, traffic will need to be slowed or stopped intermittently as crews work close to the travel lanes.

Wednesday, March 22

SANIBEL/CAPTIVA

Horticultural Waste Pickup Has Resumed — Waste Management has resumed the regular horticulture/vegetation waste collection it provided before Hurricane Ian. See the Collection Zone Map for waste pickup schedules.

FORT MYERS BEACH

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program — Financial assistance may be available for property owners in the Town of Fort Myers Beach through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). This program helps property owners rebuild homes or businesses stronger than before Hurricane Ian. See the Town’s Press Release for details. The deadline for interest applications is April 10, 2023.

Bonita Bill’s Reopening March 27 — Bonita Bill’s Waterfront Cafe, 702 Fisherman’s Wharf, will reopen Monday, March 27! The laid-back, family-friendly establishment will return with a full menu, regular hours, and live music. Visit our What’s Open in Southwest Florida page for the latest reopenings.

Friday, March 17

DEBRIS REMOVAL REQUEST DEADLINE MARCH 29

The deadline to register for Hurricane Ian debris removal through the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) is Wednesday, March 29. Personal and commercial property owners may request debris removal, including vehicles, vessels, motorcycles, trailers, and ATVs, at www.IanDebrisCleanup.com.

SANIBEL/CAPTIVA

Boops by the Bubble Room Now Open — Boops by the Bubble Room, 15001 Captiva Drive, has reopened! Get The Bubble Room’s world-famous cakes and desserts, as well as other delectable treats that are not available at the main restaurant, which is currently closed for renovation. Visit our What’s Open in Southwest Florida page for the latest reopenings.

“Ding” Darling Refuge to Reopen April 4 — The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, 1 Wildlife Drive, will reopen Tuesday, April 4! Part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the U.S., it is world-renowned for its spectacular migratory bird populations.

Friday, March 10

SANIBEL/CAPTIVA

Alison Hagerup Beach Opens Tomorrow — Alison Hagerup Beach Park on Captiva Island (14790 Captiva Drive) will reopen Saturday, March 11! Parking fees apply (1 hr – $15, 2 hrs – $25, all day – $40), paid through the ParkMobile App. Parking proceeds are applied directly to beach nourishment and wildlife habitat enhancement. Visit our What’s Open in Southwest Florida page for the latest reopenings.

FORT MYERS BEACH

MoJoe’s Coffee Cafe Opens Tomorrow — MoJoe’s Coffee Cafe will reopen Saturday, March 11, as a food truck at its 1740 Estero Boulevard location! MoJoe’s will have a full breakfast menu, espresso, coffee, smoothies, frappes, and lattes. Visit our What’s Open in Southwest Florida page for the latest reopenings.

Monday, March 6

SANIBEL/CAPTIVA

Two more Sanibel Beaches and a Boat Ramp Are Open! — The City of Sanibel is happy to announce that it has opened two more beach parks and a boat ramp:

• Bowman’s Beach Park, 1700 Bowmans Beach Road (220 parking spaces)
• Gulfside City Park, 2001 Algiers Lane (46 parking spaces)
• Sanibel Boat Ramp*, 888 Sextant Drive (39 boat trailer parking spaces)
  * NOTE: Boat ramp rules have changed — ramp violations can result in a $250 fine. Please see the City of Sanibel’s Press Release for details.

More Restaurants Are Reopening — Great news! More Sanibel and Captiva restaurants have recently reopened (or will reopen soon):

Rosalita’s Cantina – 975 Rabbit Road (former 400 Rabbits location)
Starbucks (Captiva) – 5400 Plantation Road
Bleu Rendezvous French Bistro (Opens 3/7) – 751 Tarpon Bay Road (new location)

FORT MYERS BEACH

Lynn Hall Beach Park Now Open — Lee County has reopened Lynn Hall Beach Park, 950 Estero Boulevard (next to Times Square), including parking areas. The County has waived parking fees at Lynn Hall Park until further notice. Bowditch Point Park and Crescent Beach Family Park remain closed but are tentatively planned to reopen in May.

Times Square Utility Project Underway — Today, Florida Power & Light (FPL) started construction on underground lines at Times Square to restore electricity to the area. During this time, the area may be unavailable to the public, and access to businesses on the beach side of Times Square may be restricted. No road closures are anticipated. The project is expected to take about one week to complete.

Tuesday, February 28

SANIBEL/CAPTIVA

Sanibel Lighthouse Shines Again — At 6 am this morning, on the 5-month anniversary of Hurricane Ian’s landfall, the Sanibel Lighthouse was relit! The relighting of the iconic structure is a testament to the strength and perseverance of our community. Click here to see a video of the relighting from Sanibel Carts.

FORT MYERS BEACH

Shoreline Restoration Easement Revised — The Town of Fort Myers Beach has revised the easement form beachfront property owners must sign to participate in Town’s sand recovery project. Owners who signed the previous easement are not required to sign the revised easement but may do so if the new language is preferred. See the Town’s Press Release for details on the revision.

Friday, February 24

FORT MYERS BEACH

Fort Myers Beach Parking Permits Available Now — Fort Myers Beach parking permits have arrived. Prior year resident parking passes are still honored, but new permits can be purchased at the temporary Town Hall complex at 2545 Estero Boulevard. Currently, there is a limited amount of parking, but more spaces should be added soon. See the Town’s Press Release for cost, details, and requirements.

More Restaurants Are Reopening — Great news! Several Fort Myers Beach restaurants have recently reopened:

Dixie Fish Company – 714 Fishermans Wharf
Fresh Catch Bistro – 4761 Estero Boulevard (new location)
Parrot Key Caribbean Grill – 2500 Main Street
Tuckaway Cafe (Food Truck) – 2301 Estero Boulevard

Monday, February 6, 2023

SANIBEL/CAPTIVA

Sanibel Beaches Are Open! — The City of Sanibel is happy to announce that it has opened its beaches to the public. Access and parking are currently limited to the following locations:

TROST PARKING LOT (Tarpon Bay Road)

• Sanibel beach parking permit and hourly parking ($5/hr)*
• 76 general parking spaces
• Restrooms available

BLIND PASS PARK (Sanibel Captiva Road)

• Sanibel beach parking permit and hourly parking ($5/hr)*
• 23 general parking spaces, 6 spaces only for City of Sanibel A or B beach parking permits
• Portable toilets available

PARKING FOR A & B PERMITS ONLY (View Parking Map)

• Beach Road access – 13 spaces (no defined parking)
• Nerita Street access – 6 spaces (no defined parking)
• Bayview Park – 10 spaces (north end of Bailey Road)
• Bock Peace Park – 6 spaces (north end of Dixie Beach Blvd)
• Sanctuary Overlook – 2 spaces
• East Gulf at Colony access – 2 spaces (A Permit ONLY)

* Staff will be at Trost Parking Lot and Blind Pass Beach Park to assist patrons in using the new Mobile Payment System. Parking without a City of Sanibel Beach Parking Permit or parking without paying may result in a $150 fine.

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

DEP BEACH EROSION REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM BEGINS

The Florida Hurricane Restoration Reimbursement Grant Program has opened for applications. The program assists private property owners in addressing coastal beach erosion incurred due to preparation for or damage sustained during Hurricane Ian or Hurricane Nicole. It provides reimbursement grants up to $150,000 per parcel (with a 50/50 homeowner match requirement) to cover construction costs associated with sand placement (renourishment). For information or to apply, visit the DEP Hurricane Information webpage. Contact the DEP at (850) 245-8558 or HRRGP@FloridaDEP.gov with questions regarding the program or application process.

SANIBEL/CAPTIVA

Boil Water Notice Rescinded — The Island Water Association (IWA) has rescinded the Boil Water Notice for the Caloosa Shores neighborhood (Caloosa End Lane, Punta Caloosa Court, Indian Court, And Caloosa Drive). The notice went into effect on September 27, 2022.

FORT MYERS BEACH

Shoreline Restoration Planned — The Town of Fort Myers Beach will use an “engineered beach design” to restore critically eroding shorelines. The engineered design will reduce storm damage and benefit property owners, the community, and area wildlife. The Town is asking beachfront property owners to support the project’s implementation by executing the Temporary Beach Management and Access Easement for their properties. See the Town’s Press Release for project details.

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

SANIBEL/CAPTIVA

Sanibel Administration Phone Temporarily Out of Service — The primary City Hall Administration number, (239) 472-3700, is currently out of service.
To contact the City of Sanibel by phone, please use the numbers below:

Building Department: (239) 472-4555
Planning Department: (239) 472-4136
Non-emergency Police Department: (239) 472-3111
All Other City Issues: (239) 603-7261

Monday, January 23, 2023

FORT MYERS BEACH

Temporary Mail Facility Now Open — A temporary Post Office facility is now operating from the Post Office parking lot at 200 Carolina Avenue. It offers retail services, PO Boxes, and mail & package pickup for Fort Myers Beach customers in the 33931 and 33932 ZIP Codes. Customers must show a valid picture ID when picking up mail or packages. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (no retail services Saturday). See the USPS Press Release for details.

Thursday, January 19, 2023

SANIBEL/CAPTIVA

Sanibel Beach Parking Permits Available Now — The City of Sanibel is now offering 2023 Beach Parking Permits for Sanibel residents & property owners. At this time, the beaches are not open, but limited beach access is expected to begin in February (see Anticipated Beach Openings section below). Permits for residents & property owners will be available for purchase starting Tuesday, January 31. See the City of Sanibel’s Press Release for details and requirements.

Thursday, January 12, 2023

SANIBEL WELCOME CENTER RIBBON CUTTING

The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce and Royal Shell celebrated the grand reopening of our Sanibel Welcome Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday. The Sanibel Welcome Center and Captiva office are now open Monday – Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., providing real estate sales, free Wi-Fi, hot coffee, cold water, and friendly faces. Our Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, and Naples–Parkshore offices remain open to assist with real estate sales and vacation rentals.

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

CAPTIVA OFFICE GRAND REOPENING RIBBON CUTTING

The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce and Royal Shell celebrated the grand reopening of our Captiva Island office with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday. The office is open Monday – Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., providing real estate sales, free Wi-Fi, hot coffee, cold water, and friendly faces. Our Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, and Naples–Parkshore offices remain open to assist with real estate sales and vacation rentals.

Hurricane Ian Recovery Resources

Help is available to those recovering from the destruction and loss caused by Hurricane Ian. The links below provide information about many of the resources available.

General Assistance and Information

• • • DisasterAssistance.gov: This anonymous questionnaire can help victims of Hurricane Ian connect with local and federal assistance programs based on personalized needs.
    • FEMA Resource Links: FEMA has compiled a list of resources available to victims of Hurricane Ian.
    • Free Wi-Fi on Sanibel & Captiva: The Sanibel Captiva Chamber of Commerce and Lee Health have deployed five Starlink Wi-Fi modules for the public on Islands. The Wi-Fi is accessible in the parking lots of the Chamber of Commerce, Jerry’s Foods, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank near Bailey’s, Island Inn, and Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa. The Wi-Fi names start with “Leeco” and the password is IANLEECO2022.
    • Free Wifi Access: Those in need of WiFi access may get online at no cost at Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots.
    • Sanibel Island Recovery: View an interactive map to see damage and recovery on Sanibel Island.

Financial Assistance

• • • Small Business Administration: Homeowners, renters, business owners, and non-profit organizations impacted by Hurricane Ian may apply for SBA disaster loans.
    • Disaster Assistance for Businesses: Enterprise Florida has compiled a list of disaster assistance for small businesses impacted by Hurricane Ian.

Housing and Home Repair Assistance

• • • Shelters: Shelters are available to those in need of a safe place to stay.

Food Assistance

• • • Feeding Florida: Food, water, and other resources are available to those impacted by Hurricane Ian through Florida’s Food Bank Network.