There has been a lot of publicity about local communities destroyed by Hurricane Ian, but many people don’t realize there are communities within our own Village of Estero that were devastated following the hurricane. Approximately 1,000 homes were drastically affected.
Those communities west of US 41 were hit the hardest, in particular those living along West Broadway. These mobile home communities* have been home to residents for many years and some have lost everything – their cars, their household furnishings, clothing and precious keepsakes.
Immediately following the hurricane, Village staff spent days traveling throughout Estero assessing the damage that occurred in the community. Initially, the Village worked with the utilities to get power restored and the Department of Transportation to get street lights operating.
Since then, staff have been going from home to home along West Broadway to try to assist residents with getting all the information they need in order to build back. To date, they have reached about one-third to one-half of the residents in that area.
If you have not yet been visited or know of someone who needs assistance, you may contact the Village of Estero Permitting Department at 239-221-5036 and ask for Matt or Lisa, or email permitting@estero-fl.gov. There is also important information on the Village website here.
The Village hired seven trucks to clear the community of storm debris as quickly and safely as possible. The trucks are still collecting and compacting debris from communities within Estero. There are two additional trucks devoted to clearing debris from the roadway shoulders.
The debris site at the corner of US 41 and Coconut Road, leased by Lee County, is where debris is continuously chipped and compacted before it is transported to a final disposal or recycling site. The debris is being taken off-site as new debris is brought in. This site is being monitored for any type of contamination, which would be followed by any necessary remediation.
The entire community has come together to assist in many ways. Estero Church, First Baptist Church, Ocean Church and Summit Church pitched in and collected donations of toiletries and paper products, served meals to affected residents, and provided first responders use of their facilities. In addition, on November 5 and 6, the Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL) partnered with Operation BBQ Relief to provide meals and information for those in need.
The Estero Forever Foundation (EFF) set up a Hurricane Ian relief fund where residents may donate or request relief online through November 6. Both Miromar Development Corp. and Ocean Church have made very generous contributions to this fund, raising the amount to $96,000. All monies will go to Estero residents who were drastically affected by the hurricane. The EFF is partnered with the Village of Estero, the ECCL and the Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce in this relief effort. It’s very easy to donate or request relief; go to the Foundation’s website here. It’s one way we all can help our neighbors who have suffered many losses.
We know it will be a long road to recovery. Rebuilding will be a very slow process, but with the community’s help, all will eventually recover.
*Estero Bay Village, Mariners Cove, Sherrill Lane/Luettich Lane, Charing Cross, Estero River Heights, Quarterdeck Cove, Riverwoods Plantation