Town of Fort Myers Beach

...being prepared is everyone’s business

Evacuation and Re-entry guidelines

The goals of the Evacuation and Re-entry plan are to coordinate the safe and orderly evacuation of Fort Myers Beach residents when health-endangering conditions exist or threaten to exist and to return residents, property and business owners to the island as soon as possible following an event, given a safe environment for return.

 

Plan Assumptions

 

* Emergency supplies may not be available on the island (i.e. water, ice, tarps, food, power) for up to 72 hours following an event

* The event will not interfere with the efficient functioning of the Fort Myers Beach Emergency Management organization

* A dusk to dawn curfew may be in effect immediately following the event

 

Responsibilities

 

* The Fort Myers Beach Town Council retains the authority to declare states of emergency and order evacuation of the Town and to end states of emergency and authorize re-entry of persons to the Town of Fort Myers Beach

* The FMB Emergency Manager is responsible for the implementation of evacuation and subsequent re-entry orders issued by the Town Council.  The Emergency Manager will communicate those decisions to and coordinate with the appropriate agencies tasked with managing the evacuation and re-entry. 

* The Evacuation/Re-entry Coordinator will direct and monitor the implementation of any evacuation of the island.

* The final decision to permit re-entry to the island following an event will be made by the Town Council. Factors that will guide the Town Council in its decision to permit re-entry shall include:

(1) That an initial windshield survey damage assessment has been completed.

(2) Access to the Island is available which does not pose a safety threat.

(3) Estero Blvd. is passable and does not pose a significant threat.

(4) Life threatening situations are isolated or mitigated.

(5) Fire/rescue, Police and medical services are available.