Request for public assistance deadline extended
The deadline for filing Requests for Public Assistance (RPAs) for Hurricane Ian has been extended to January 6, 2023. There is a FEMA Quick Guide on the Village website which explains how to create a Public Assistance (PA) Grants Portal user account and submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA). It also describes the information and documentation applicants must provide when submitting a RPA. Here is a link to the Quick Guide.
Dept. of Children and Families offering Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Shevaun Harris announced two opportunities for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) in Lee County. On Tuesday, December 6 through Wednesday, December 7 and Sunday, December 11, there will be an additional phone D-SNAP event for Lee County residents , and on Friday, December 9 through Sunday, December 11, applicants who are unable to complete their interview during the phone event will be able to complete their in-person interview on-site. D-SNAP provides food assistance for individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Ian and who are not receiving food assistance benefits through the regular [Read More.]
Light up Estero – Unity in the Community – a special event on December 3, 2022
(New Horizons Choir. See all the photos of Light up Estero in a slide show at the end of this article.) A great turnout by the Estero community on a beautiful day to gather and celebrate the holiday season and continuing recovery from Hurricane Ian at the Light up Estero event held at the Ocean Church. There were two different bounce houses to the delight of the children, and each family received vouchers for the various food trucks on site as well as a Christmas ornament. Village of Estero shopping bags were distributed with a suggested list of items [Read More.]
CORRECT TIME: Council to conduct workshops on Hurricane Ian and the MPO’s Rail Trail Feasibility Study at 9:30 a.m., December 7, 2022
Council will start their meeting at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, conducting a workshop on Hurricane Ian followed by a presentation by the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s staff on the Rail Trail Feasibility Study. Action items include rezoning of the Village-owned Williams Road property, I-75/Corkscrew Road landscape maintenance agreement and reclaimed water feasibility study, among other topics. The full agenda is available here. Meetings are held in the Council Chambers, Village Hall, 9401 Corkscrew Palms Circle, near the entrance to the Estero Park. Residents may view the meeting here and provide public comment by utilizing the eComment Card on the Village website. Comments [Read More.]
Council to conduct workshops on Hurricane Ian and the MPO’s Rail Trail Feasibility Study on December 7, 2022
Council will start their meeting at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, conducting a workshop on Hurricane Ian followed by a presentation by the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s staff on the Rail Trail Feasibility Study. Action items include rezoning of the Village-owned Williams Road property, I-75/Corkscrew Road landscape maintenance agreement and reclaimed water feasibility study, among other topics. The full agenda is available here. Meetings are held in the Council Chambers, Village Hall, 9401 Corkscrew Palms Circle, near the entrance to the Estero Park. Residents may view the meeting here and provide public comment by utilizing the eComment Card on the Village website. Comments [Read More.]
Estero debris pick up winding down in areas not impacted by storm surge
The Village’s debris hauler Crowder Gulf will be making one final pass through the Village to pick up any remaining residential storm debris on Monday, December 12. The Village will not be driving through each community to locate storm debris. If you have storm debris ready for pick up, please email Carla Nebbia at nebbia@estero-fl.gov or call (239) 221-5035. Separate debris into two separate piles, and do not use plastic bags for either pile: Construction and Demolition Vegetation Any non-storm debris should be placed at your curb for regular pick up by Lee County Solid Waste. Note: This does not [Read More.]
Interfaith Charities food pantry free to those in need in our area
Interfaith Charities of South Lee offers food from their pantry weekly to those in need living in households south of Gladiolus Road extending to Coconut Road in Estero. They also offer assistance for past due electric and water bills through a United Way grant. New clients must have proof of address and ID for all household members to register. Interfaith Charities of South Lee is a community service organization serving South Fort Myers, Estero and San Carlos Park. They are open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at 17592 Rockefeller Circle, Ft. Myers 33967, 239-267-3510. To learn more [Read More.]
Reminder – Light up Estero “Unity in the Community” on December 3
Don’t miss the annual Light up Estero event scheduled for 4 – 7 p.m., Saturday, December 3, at the Ocean Church parking area, 22100 Tamiami Trail. This year’s theme is “Unity in the Community” to honor those who helped with our recovery from Hurricane Ian. There will be bounce houses for the children, food trucks, holiday music performed by the New Horizons of Southwest Florida Choir, Christmas carol sing-along, lighting of the Christmas tree and, of course, the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus via an Estero Fire Rescue fire truck. This is always a special event and a way [Read More.]
New Florida website provides additional Hurricane Ian resources
Gov. DeSantis yesterday announced the “Unite Florida Portal” for state sheltering and housing assistance. People must be registered with FEMA for individual assistance but this new portal is a way to connect residents with additional resources. Florida’s first-ever state-led sheltering and housing program is available through this new website that provides temporary sheltering options — such as travel trailers and recreational vehicles — and temporary or permanent repairs for households whose needs are not met through insurance or FEMA’s Individual Assistance program. Residents impacted by Hurricane Ian can also access the Unite Florida Portal to report unmet needs such as transportation, household items and [Read More.]
FEMA extends deadline to January 12 to apply for Hurricane Ian federal disaster assistance
At the request of the State of Florida, Hurricane Ian survivors who suffered damage to their property have additional time to apply for federal disaster assistance. FEMA has extended the application deadline to January 12, 2023, for survivors in Collier and Lee, as well as 24 other impacted counties. The Village of Estero has a Disaster Recovery Center operating in the Village Hall Council Chambers along with a Small Business Administration (SBA) help desk. It is scheduled to be open every day except Sundays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. They will be closed for Thanksgiving November 24 – November [Read More.]