Hurricane Ian

Jim Atterholt is retiring after swerving six years on the Fort Myers Beach Town Council, effective at the end of the year. First elected in March 2019, Atterholt's tenure included navigating the Town through the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple major storm events, including Hurricane Ian.

FEMA has confirmed that Fort Myers Beach has earned a Class 5 rating in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System, a step in the recovery from Hurricane Ian that could earn residents financial relief. The rating was formally confirmed in a December letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It is also a national recognition for the Town’s flood mitigation and governance efforts.

With a judge slated to hear arguments this week, the state is trying to short-circuit constitutional challenges to a new law that blocks cities and counties from approving "more restrictive or burdensome" changes to growth plans.

A FEMA grant of more than $11 million has been granted Naples for the reconstruction of the iconic and popular city pier.The funds, $11,401,144.20, were announced Friday afternoon by Congressman Byron Donalds.

Florida's Office of Statewide Prosecution secured the conviction of Ivan Gutierrez Miranda for stealing and reselling trailers meant for recovering hurricane victims who lost and were rebuilding their homes. Miranda was found guilty of a RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) violation, Conspiracy to Commit RICO, Organized Scheme to Defraud, and five counts of Dealing in Stolen Property.

Matlacha artists have united to assist in the rebuilding process in the wake of Hurricane Ian and rekindle a popular tradition of the community's art walk to bring visitors back to the island.

When Hurricane Ian severed the only access to Sanibel and Captiva Islands, a joint venture formed within 24 hours.

John Bohanek, a Pine Island army veteran, has spent three years in a trailer — two of those a FEMA trailer — with limited power and water after his home was destroyed by Hurricane Ian. He’s waiting for the final property assessment he needs to begin rebuilding, but that can’t happen until the government reopens.

A property-insurance company last week agreed to pay a $250,000 fine to resolve allegations that it violated state laws in handling claims after Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Idalia, according to an order posted on the state Office of Insurance Regulation website.

Three years ago, Hurricane Ian blew the roof off the historic Blanchard House in Punta Gorda. Swells of water flooded the structure, leaving damage that took years to recover from.