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Leonard “Scotty” Wood III, resident of the West Bay Club, passed away on August 12, 2024. Scotty had a long record of contributing his time and expertise to the Estero community. In April of this year, he was recognized for volunteering hundreds of hours serving as Chairman of the Village of Estero’s Planning, Zoning & Design Board over the past 9 years.  This Board helps achieve the Village’s vision, with its focus on architectural and landscape excellence. Scotty previously served on the Estero Council of Community Leaders Hospital Committee, helping to bring Lee Health to the Village. He also served [Read More.]

Inventory your household belongings. Take pictures and store them on a flash drive or in the cloud. Check your homeowner’s insurance to make sure you have flood coverage. Place your most valuable papers aside in a waterproof container to be kept on the highest level of your home. Stock up on essentials. Review the Village’s Flooding – Hurricane Preparedness Evacuation Know your evacuation zone. Sign up for AlertLee emergency notifications. These are a number of things you may do to prepare as this peak season starts and, hopefully, you will not have a need to use them.   Peak season runs [Read More.]

The following information is provided by Cougar Contracting, Inc.: Corkscrew Road Widening Project – Phase I Construction Project:    Corkscrew Road is now in its final configuration from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to Bella Terra Boulevard.  Motorists should expect isolated flagging operations with periodic lane closures as the contractor works through the final project punch list.  Motorists should also expect construction vehicles entering and leaving the roadway. Crews continue installing signage, sod, and fencing throughout the project.  WORK PERFORMED BY OTHERS:   GL Homes is actively working in the RiverCreek Community site across from Wild Blue Boulevard.  Motorists should expect delays and use [Read More.]

The Village has learned that National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy holders will be receiving a letter in mid-August from FEMA related to your flood insurance policy. The letter is expected to address removing Estero residents from the Community Rating System (CRS) which provides residents up to a 20% discount on their flood insurance, among other actions.   This would not happen during the 2024 hurricane season as FEMA plans to maintain Estero’s CRS rating until at least April 1, 2025. FEMA has acknowledged that the hard work done by the Village has resulted in some improvements to meet minimum floodplain [Read More.]

The Village of Estero did not experience any effects from Tropical Storm Debby other than some minor road flooding on a few private roads. Village staff from Public Works and Code Enforcement were out before and after the storm assessing the entire Village for flooding and impacts. The Village proactively provides maintenance of the main flowways 4 times a year, to ensure that the stormwater systems function efficiently and drainage continues to flow. It is very important for residents that have experienced water intrusion in their homes from the rainfall, to understand that permits are required for repairs in the [Read More.]

The Lee County Emergency Management, along with the Village of Estero, is monitoring the tropics and is in communication with state and federal partners at the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, and the National Hurricane Center. The activity in the tropics is a good reminder for residents to be prepared for the height of hurricane season, which is upon us. Stay informed: Monitor local media outlets, the National Weather Service -Tampa, and the National Hurricane Center. Sign up for AlertLee, which is an emergency notification system that allows registered users to receive telephone, text, and/or email alerts [Read More.]

FEMA grants the Village additional time to address floodplain compliance  The Village of Estero was notified July 19 that FEMA will maintain Estero’s Community Rating System (CRS) rating of 6 until at least April 1, 2025. This means residents with policies issued under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) will maintain the discount rate of 20% on their insurance premiums for the time being. FEMA has acknowledged that the hard work done by the Village has resulted in some improvements to meet minimum floodplain management standards but has requested that further information be provided by November 18, 2024, to address [Read More.]

Lee County Solid Waste temporarily adjusts pickup times Residents of unincorporated Lee County in Pine Island, Matlacha, North Fort Myers, Fort Myers Shores, Alva, Lehigh Acres, south Fort Myers and the Village of Estero are asked to set their trash, recycling and yard waste to the curb by 5 a.m. beginning this week. This is one hour earlier than the typical set-out time of 6 a.m. The temporary change is to help Waste Pro drivers avoid excessive heat during summertime’s late afternoons. This does not impact the day of the week residents have their materials collected; that remains the same.  To [Read More.]

Residents will be able to dispose of household chemical waste safely and responsibly from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17.  Items will not be accepted either before or after that time period. Chemical waste categories include items that are ignitable, corrosive, explosive and/or reactive and toxic, such as leftover paints, cleaners, herbicides, pesticides, automotive fluids and pool chemicals.  Never dispose of these items in dumpsters, compactors or at curbside with household garbage or down a storm drain or in the soil.  See Lee County Solid Waste link for household chemical waste categories. Items which are not household [Read More.]

Jacob Winge & Jeffery P. Wait Each year, the Estero Historical Society celebrates the 4th of July by providing segments of history connected with the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Councilmember Jim Ward welcomed the crowd and led the Pledge of Allegiance following the raising of a large American flag by Estero Fire Rescue. Local historian Jacob Winge read the Declaration of Independence.  Winge was joined by historical enactor Jeffery P. Wait, also dressed in authentic 18th-century period costume. Following the ceremony, watermelon was served picnic-style for all attendees to enjoy. The event was held on the grounds of [Read More.]