The sun sets behind what is left of the Fort Myers Beach Pier on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The pier was destroyed in Hurricane Ian. The process of rebuilding continues four months after the hurricane passed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Lee County Property Appraiser reminder regarding Hurricane Ian Property Tax Refunds
Lee County Property Appraiser Matt Caldwell reminds all property owners that the deadline to apply for 2022 Hurricane Ian Property Tax Refunds is April 3. Those property owners whose residence was uninhabitable for more than 30 days in 2022 can apply for the refund on the Property Appraiser’s website (www.leepa.org). If you have already applied, the Property Appraiser will be contacting you in the near future regarding the status of your refund application. Caldwell encourages all taxpayers, especially those who were impacted and continue to be impacted by Hurricane Ian, to visit the Lee County Property Appraiser website for the most up-to-date information as they prepare the 2023 property tax roll.
Property Tax Questions
can be directed to 239-533-6100 or hurricaneupdate@leepa.org.
For additional information about Hurricane Ian and for county updates, visit www.leegov.com/storm or https://ianprogress.leegov.com/
Gallery: Life On Fort Myers Beach 4 Months After Hurricane Ian
Saturday January 28th was the four month anniversary. The Town of Fort Myers Beach took a catastrophic direct hit from Hurricane Ian on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. Ian was a category 4-plus hurricane. Sustained winds were clocked just a few miles per hour short of a category 5. Bur the real damage wasn’t just the wind. It was the surge. All that water. Like nothing we’d ever seen. Life on Fort Myers Beach changed immediately.
But Southwest Florida is building back. I live in Estero and today the roofer was at my house making repairs. He sent me a picture when he was done. So happy. My friend bought a house on the river that was completely flooded. She’s currently refurbishing it and plans to move in. We’re doing this. But the people on Fort Myers Beach have a much longer way to go.
If you’re not a beach resident, but want to help out by putting some money into the local economy, here’s a list of what’s open.
Getty photographer Joe Raedle came over from Miami to take some pictures at the beach. He captured pictures of life on Fort Myers Beach including rv’s, tents, and pods that people have turned into the temporary homes. The beach will rebuild, it will just take time. Because the people in these pictures – they aren’t going anywhere.
Joe Winner spends his days combing through memes and off beat stories to bring you the side of Florida not always seen.
