Storm Impact Personal
Mental health resources for Floridians
Florida residents have experienced three hurricanes in a short period. Here are some resources that may help you cope with stress. SAMSHA Distress Helpline Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7 crisis counseling and support to survivors experiencing emotional distress related to disasters. SAMSHA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Call 800-985-5990, visit samhsa.gov/ or text TalkWithUs for English or Hablanos for Spanish to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Mental Health Warmline Call to have a conversation with someone who can provide…
Read MoreHousehold chemical waste collection event scheduled for Pine Island to assist with Milton cleanup efforts
Pine Island residents will be able to safely and responsibly dispose of household chemical waste such as leftover paints, cleaners, herbicides, pesticides, automotive fluids and pool chemicals on Saturday, Oct. 19. The collection event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Phillips Community Park, 5675 Sesame Drive. Drop-off is an easy, drive-through…
Read MoreLee County to open temporary permitting office at Pine Island Public Library
The Lee County Department of Community Development will open a temporary, remote permit office at the Pine Island Public Library, 10701 Russell Road, Bokeelia, beginning Oct. 16 to allow residents to obtain permits for repairs to existing buildings damaged by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. The remote location means staff will be readily accessible to…
Read MoreSage Communities offers short-term rentals to those displaced by Hurricane Milton
The developer of a new 55+ rental community in North Fort Myers is offering a limited number of short-term rentals to area residents displaced by Hurricane Milton. Sage Communities is offering eight-month rentals at Seneca at Oak Creek, which opened in 2023. The active adult rental community in North Fort Myers consists of nearly 200…
Read MoreLee County government offices, operations back to regular hours Monday
Lee County Government department offices will reopen with normal hours Monday, Oct. 14, and will resume normal operations. The county closed at noon Monday, Oct. 7, in advance of Hurricane Milton. The county continues Hurricane Milton recovery efforts this weekend with key personnel. For information, visit www.leegov.com/departments. Hurricane Milton operational updates are available at www.leegov.com/storm.
Read MoreLee County offers residents updates on Hurricane Milton recovery efforts
Lee County continues to work with partners throughout the community to restore services to its residents, including electrical power, fuel supply and transportation infrastructure. Power restoration remains a high priority and the service providers, LCEC and FPL, have substantial resources deployed in Lee County. As of 1 p.m. Friday: 69,990 LCEC customers were without power.…
Read MoreWawa supports American Red Cross Hurricane Milton Relief
Wawa, Inc., and The Wawa Foundation today announced the launch of a chain-wide, in-store crisis campaign designed to provide emergency relief assistance to those communities most affected by Hurricane Milton. The campaign is being held in partnership with the American Red Cross and allows customers to contribute to Hurricane Milton relief by adding $1, $3,…
Read MoreContractor re-entry passes allowed on Fort Myers Beach
Beginning at noon on Oct. 11,, all contractors, landscapers, and anyone working to remove debris from residential or commercial properties will be allowed on the Island with the Town of Fort Myers Beach Contractor Re-entry Pass. To obtain a pass, find the Town of Fort Myers Beach staff located in the Target Parking lot and…
Read MoreUSPS makes statement on Florida operations and hurricane recovery
Hurricanes Helene and Milton were catastrophic natural disasters that have disrupted services and operations for many organizations – including the Postal Service’s ability to deliver mail and packages – throughout the entire Southeast region. The Postal Service is working closely with other federal agencies, including FEMA, to assist in the response. The Postal Service’s primary…
Read MoreHarry Chapin Food Bank opens mobile distribution centers to support Hurricane Milton recovery
Harry Chapin Food Bank, Southwest Florida’s leading hunger relief organization and only Feeding America partner in the region, will hold emergency food distributions on Saturday, Oct. 12 to support Hurricane Milton recovery efforts. The distribution centers will be open from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at the following locations: Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal Church,…
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