Mold Remediation in Fort Myers, FL

Florida is no stranger to natural disasters. Hurricanes are a yearly (often multiple times per year) occurrence for the state’s many coastal communities. On October 9, the most recent in a string of storms struck Florida. Hurricane Milton made landfall along Florida’s west coast as a category 3 storm, coming just weeks after Hurricane Helene hit Florida’s Big Bend on September 26. Milton, as well as the nearly four dozen tornadoes it spawned, tore a path of destruction through Florida starting in Siesta Key and traveling through the central part of the state.

Unfortunately, preparing for and bouncing back from storms is a way of life in the Sunshine State. However, no amount of rain or high winds has ever kept the state down for long—nor have they deterred the millions of tourists who visit the state each year. “Florida is a resilient state, and we are working hard to rebuild and rejuvenate the areas affected by the recent storms so that tourism can bounce back even stronger,” VISIT FLORIDA president and CEO Dana Young told us. “The best thing you can do now to help is book a trip! Tourism plays a critically essential role in revitalizing local economies and small businesses.”

Now that the state has had some time to recover, several cities that were affected by the hurricane have reopened to visitors. Overall, Young says most impacted areas are on track to make a full recovery within the next 6-8 weeks. But if you’re looking to travel now, here are six places that are open and ready to welcome you.

If you do decide to travel, be sure to double check any reservations or plans before leaving, as this information is changing frequently.

Fort Myers

Known as the gateway to Southwest Florida, Fort Myers is an all-in-one vacation destination that effortlessly blends a vibrant metropolitan with tranquil beaches, cultural attractions, and great dining. After being hit hard by Hurricane Ian in 2022, Fort Myers was largely spared by Hurricane Milton and is fully open to visitors.

Things to do: Bike along the canals in Cape Coral, then spend an afternoon in the sun at Fort Myers Beach. Take time to explore the lively downtown River District, then sit down for a seafood dinner at Izzy’s Fish & Oyster.

Where to stay: The Banyan Hotel, The Hibiscus House B&B

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Orlando

Though Walt Disney World and Universal Studios closed their theme parks on October 9 and 10, business back up and running as usual by that Friday, October 11. The hometown of the “Happiest Place on Earth” was spared most major long-term damage and has kept up its steady stream of visitors despite the setback.

Things to do: If you aren’t in town to hit the parks, there’s still plenty to do. See live music, a theater performance, or ballet at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Explore Orlando’s wild side by checking out nearby freshwater springs like the ones at Wekiwa Springs State Park or taking an airboat tour with Spirit of the Swamp.

Where to stay: Ette Hotel, Reunion Resort & Golf Club, JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa

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Tampa

As the state’s third most populous city after Jacksonville and Miami, Tampa is a hub for everything from arts and culture to family-friendly attractions. Originally slated to see much more damage at the hands of Milton, the storm took a turn and spared most of the city’s major attractions from harm. The international airport is running its full docket of flights making it as easy as ever to plan a trip.

Things to do: Spend your day by the water at Sparkman Wharf, along the Tampa Riverwalk, and in the Channel District. Take the whole family to the Florida Aquarium and Busch Gardens. Explore Ybor City to try authentic Cuban food at the historic Columbia Restaurant and visit America’s oldest family-owned cigar maker at J.C. Newman Cigar Co.

Where to stay: Hotel Haya, Tampa Edition

Bradenton

Bradenton is situated alongside the Manatee River, just south of Tampa. Downtown’s hotels, restaurants, attractions, and businesses are largely open and ready for visitors. The area is also known for its natural areas, state parks, and preserves. All of Manatee County’s nature preserves, save Leffis Key and Anna Maria Island are open, as is Manatee Public Beach. Note: Nearby Anna M aria Island is in the process of reopening with Manatee Public Beach and Coquina Beach expected to open during the first week of November.

Things to do: Learn about marine life and much more at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature. Shop and stroll the Village of the Arts, where small businesses and artists make a vibrant merchant community.

Where to stay: Compass Hotel Anna Maria Sound by Margaritaville, Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa

St. Petersburg/Clearwater

Currently, nearly 80% of the St. Petersburg’s and Clearwater’s hotels are open, including popular flagship properties in Clearwater Beach. A few icons, like the Don Cesar Hotel, remain closed. Most attractions are open, along with restaurants, cafes and bars throughout the county serving guests as normal. While much of these destinations have been able to re-open quickly, some beach communities saw historic levels of storm surge during Hurricane Helene, and therefore need a little bit more time to fully recover. However, with 35 miles of beautiful Gulf Coast beachfront, there’s plenty of pristine beach ready for visitors to enjoy.

Things to do: Have a multisensory art experience at the Dali Museum, or marvel at the incredible sea life at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium which was closed for three weeks following the storm, but is now reopen. Explore the many facets of the 26-acre St. Pete Pier that includes a museum of history, multiple restaurants, splash pad, fishing deck, playground, marketplace, public art, and more. Spend a day lounging at Clearwater Beach.

Where to stay: Hollander Hotel, The Vinoy

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Sarasota

More than half of our Sarasota’s hotels are fully operational, and major attractions like The Ringling Museum, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, and various performing arts venues are also open to visitors. While some businesses are still undergoing restoration, the vast majority of the region is ready to welcome visitors, and full recovery is expected within the next few months.

Things to do: Spend a day at the beach. Several area beach access points including those at Siesta Beach, Nokomis Beach, North and South Brohard, and Maxine Barritt Park on Venice Island are back up and running with lifeguards and all normal amenities. Have a waterfront meal at places like Daiquiri Deck, Marina Jack, and New Pass Grill & Bait Shop.

Where to stay: Resort at Longboat Key Club, Art Ovation Hotel

Hurricane Milton devastated Florida and many are wondering how they can donate to hurricane relief efforts.

Milton barrelled across Florida after landfall near Siesta Key, a barrier island in Sarasota County, on Wednesday, Oct. 9, as a Category 3 hurricane with 120-mph winds, leaving a trail of death and destruction from tornadoes, storm surge, wind and flooding rains.

At least 24 deaths have been attributed to the storm, according to USA TODAY Network reports.

The Fort Myers area and Lee County, still reeling from Hurricane Helene's impact two weeks earlier, were among the areas walloped by Hurricane Milton.

Here's how you can donate to help those affected by Hurricane Milton:

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Donations for Hurricane Milton relief

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Photos of Hurricane Milton damage across Fort Myers, Lee County

See Hurricane Milton destruction on Matlacha

Hurricane Milton damage on Captiva

Sanibel Island damage from Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Milton coverage

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Video from the Lee County Sheriff's Office shows sand-swept and partially flooded communities days after the hurricane made landfall.

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FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. — The Tampa Bay region narrowly avoided catastrophic damage when Hurricane Milton moved south of its projected landfall late on Oct. 9.

The hurricane's transition 70 miles south of Tampa, however, meant the community of Siesta Key in Sarasota County would face the hurricane's eye wall.

Even further south, in the Fort Myers area, Southwest Florida was caught in the hurricane's dirty side, which is the area of the storm that usually experiences the most severe storm surge, extreme wind, and heavier rain bands that can cause flooding and tornadoes.

New helicopter video from the Lee County Sheriff's Office showcased the devastation officials are still working to clean up nearly a week after Milton's landfall.

Fort Myers Beach officially reopened to the public Saturday morning, but advised visitors against entering the water due to safety concerns that remain throughout the area, according to local CBS affiliate WINK.

Water samples are reportedly being tested by the Lee County Department of Health. The department plans to announce when it is safe for swimming once the quality meets state guidelines. Concerns remain about bacteria and potential hazards like debris still in the water.

Businesses throughout Fort Myers Beach are also working to reopen their doors after the storm, with many comparing the devastation to the previous Hurricane Ian.

“Ian is nothing compared to this,” a Sunset Point Marina and Resort employee told WINK.

“We had 14 boats at this marina, none of them are really salvageable at this point. Some of them ended up here tore down. The whole entire first floor is fully damaged. We had a full boat rental business over here that is fully broken. It’s going to take us a while to build back, and we’ll definitely be closed for a little bit.”

(This story has been updated to correct the phone number of the Lee elections office).

Early voting ended Saturday, Nov. 2, but there are still two ways to vote today, Nov. 5 Election Day: Drop off your vote-by-mail ballot at a Lee County Supervisor of Elections office or vote-in-person at your assigned precinct.

➤Still deciding on local races? Check here: The ultimate Lee County, Fort Myers, Cape Coral voting guide.

➤Come back tonight: 2024 Florida election results: President, amendments, congress, state legislature

➤Live Lee County Election 2024 updates al day today and tonight.

What ID to bring to vote on Election Day 2024

Florida Statute 101.043 requires voters to bring to present one of the following current (not expired) and valid forms of picture IDs before voting:

If your picture identification does not contain your signature, an additional identification with your signature is required:

You can still drop off your vote-by-mail ballot until 7 p.m. today

Voters can hand deliver their ballots from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day to any Supervisor of Elections office. They are at:

To track your vote-by-mail ballot: https://www.lee.vote/Voter-Resources/Check-My-Voter-Info

Voters cannot return their vote-by-mail ballot to their polling place on Election Day; however, they may surrender their ballot and vote in person at their precinct.

Can you vote today in Lee County, Florida if you are not registered?

It's too late to register to vote in today's election. Only voters who registered by Oct. 7, 2024 are eligible. Check your voter registration status here: https://registration.elections.myflorida.com/CheckVoterStatus

Two days after Milton made landfall, those in Fort Myers Beach are still trying to move forward. On Friday, cars were able to pass through Fort Myers Beach to assess the damage and destruction.

“I was worried all the time that it was going to be another Ian.”

Carol Donoghue is a landlord and a resident of Fort Myers Beach. She spent Friday cleaning up, and as she does so, she says she’s just grateful it’s not as bad as it could have been. “I was one of the luckier ones; we only had 26 inches.”

As she shows us her property, she shares, “So we lost all the appliances, washers, dryers, refrigerators, and all that, and of course the drywall has to be removed.”

But the beach has an eerie feel. Houses on stilts can be seen flattened. Damage is almost everywhere you look, but you don’t know if it came from Ian, Helene, or Milton.

"It is hard. We still had debris on the street. This was one of the harder things from the storm. (It) was because, from Helene, we had all our debris on the street ready for the grapplers, and they didn’t have time to grab it. So, it’s spread all over the neighborhood again,” explains Carol.

On Friday, most of the businesses on the island were closed. Crews were seen removing sand from major roadways.

Friday afternoon, 600 hot meals from World Central Kitchen were brought in, as food trucks still aren’t allowed on the island.

"We have a lot of hungry people without power, our power is being slowly restored,” shares Melody King.

King is a resident of the beach and the owner of the Facebook Page, ‘I love Fort Myers Beach, Florida.”

She further says, “But our residents are without simple needs like ice and food, and fuel.”

It’s why these neighbors are helping neighbors, in this time of need. "I hope that that spirit continues, and I know it will,” says Carol with a soft smile.

“And we are going to clean up and get back to normal,” she says.

Both Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island have opened back up to residents and any contractors or workers looking to help with cleanup and debris.

Officials ask that those who do not need to be there, please stay off the islands as they work to get things back in order.