Communication from Lee County and the Economic Development Office on Tropical Storm Nicole

11/09/2022

We recognize that we are all working hard to recover from Hurricane Ian while also keeping an eye on Tropical Storm Nicole. We ask you to continue to monitor local meteorologists’ reports as well as the National Hurricane Center updates. We want to ensure you know that no evacuation orders are in place at this time, and it’s unlikely any will be issued, as it’s anticipated that Nicole will be a Category 1 hurricane when it makes landfall on the east coast. No widespread power outages currently are anticipated. 
 
In an abundance of caution, the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in Lee County will close while Nicole passes. DRCs at Fort Myers Beach and Pine Island closed effective today. The DRCs on Sanibel, Cape Coral and Lakes Regional Library will close Wednesday. All will be closed Thursday and Friday. Reopening decisions will be announced on the weekend.
 
The county is cognizant that many residents are living in damaged homes because of Hurricane Ian or may be staying in RVs or tents on their property. The following shelter options will be available beginning at 7 a.m. Wednesday, November 8th, and both are pet-friendly: 

  1. North Fort Myers Recreation Center, 2000 Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers, FL 33903.
  2. Estero Recreation Center, 9200 Corkscrew Road, Estero, FL 33928. 

Please know these shelters are options, particularly for island residents who were previously impacted, and are intended to boost safety and comfort for residents whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Ian. For those who need help getting to shelters, the county will activate the Emergency Transportation Plan, which uses LeeTran. Lee County Residents can go to any of the following designated LeeTran transfer locations beginning at 7 a.m. Wednesday, November 8th, for a ride to a shelter. The service is free:

  • Coconut Point Mall
  • Constitution Boulevard and U.S. 41
  • Fort Myers Beach Park & Ride
  • Sanibel Tanger Outlets
  • Edison Mall
  • Rosa Parks Transportation Center
  • Publix- Homestead Road, Lehigh Acres 
  • Publix- Cape Coral North
  • Cape Coral Transfer Center
  • Merchants Crossing

If additional information is needed, we encourage you to call United Way’s Storm Hotline at 211 for help. Or call LeeTran Customer Service at 239-533- 8726 or LeeTran Passport Services at 239-533-0300.
 
Additionally, please check our website for more updates by visiting www.leegov.com/storm or follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc.

Submitted by John Talmage, Director or Economic Development