While much of SW FL weathered Hurricane Helene’s impact, Lee County is calling for extensive cleanup efforts after storm surge flooded parts of the region on Thursday.

At Tuesday’s public meeting, county officials continued to declare a local emergency and outlined a timeline for debris removal, infrastructure repairs and safety measures while monitoring a potential new storm system. Authorities are clearing snow from roads, parks and beaches while enforcing permit requirements after the storm.

What do we know about the new storm?

Officials stressed the importance of resident preparedness and encouraged residents to review emergency plans, learn about evacuation zones and understand potential hazards related to the location and age of their properties. The county is closely watching the weather system forming in the Caribbean Sea. Officials are ready to respond if the system escalates. They also discussed the ongoing need to support residents affected by Hurricane Helene, especially those experiencing homelessness.

What does this mean for residents?

• Be aware of potential flood risks and know your flood zone, even if your property has not flooded during previous storms.

• Follow debris removal guidelines to ensure effective collection.

• If you have suffered damage, be sure to obtain the necessary permits before attempting repairs, especially if it is in a Special Flood Hazard Area.

• Stay up to date with county updates and available resources to assist you in your recovery efforts.

Key County Updates

Garbage collection and park cleaning

Lee County Solid Waste, in partnership with debris disposal contractor CrowderGulf, began removing debris on Monday. To speed up the collection process, the county asked residents to divide debris into three categories – construction and demolition debris, vegetation and household appliances.

Clean-up works are underway in parks and recreational areas. Officials said during the meeting that storm surge significantly impacted beach areas, causing a large sand shift that requires extensive cleanup. Many parking lots and park infrastructure were covered with sand.

Post-Storm Inspections and Permit Requirements

The county’s Department of Community Development is working with the Emergency Operations Center to implement post-storm protocols and conduct damage assessments. Inspectors are out in the field and providing information to residents about permit requirements, particularly the 50% rule that applies to repairs in a special flood hazard area.

Utilities and infrastructure recovery

The county says Lee County utilities remained largely operational throughout the storm. One issue was reported with an air discharge line, which was quickly repaired and crews were dispatched to flooded areas to ensure sewer service continued.

Coastal waves and floods

The authorities emphasized that the main cause of flooding in the entire county was the storm surge. Although some rivers and canals rose, they did not contribute significantly to the flooding.

Boca Grande Cleanup

The Boca Grande Community Center and the Island School in Boca Grande experienced significant water intrusion and damage from storm surge, the county’s Division of Facilities and Construction Management said during the meeting. Cleanup and repair work is ongoing and authorities want the school to reopen by Monday.

Bridge and road inspections

Department of Transportation crews inspected all coastal bridges and found them safe. They worked to remove sand and debris from the road in affected areas, with particular emphasis on barrier islands. DOT addressed damage to traffic signals, cleared drainage systems and provided support to the island of Boca Grande in the storm’s aftermath.

This article originally appeared on the Fort Myers News-Press: Lee County responds to Hurricane Helene: cleanup, safety measures