Lee County Property AppraiserĀ 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 Appraiserās 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.Ā Ā Caldwell encourages all taxpayers,Ā especially thoseĀ who were impactedĀ and continue to be impactedĀ by Hurricane Ian, to visit the Lee County Property Appraiser websiteĀ 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, visitĀ www.leegov.com/stormĀ orĀ 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.
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Mark Garcia (L) relaxes with Jorge Olivarez in his tent home on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Mr. Garcia is using in three tents and a RV pod to live in after his house was destroyed by Hurricane Ian and all that is left is the cement slab where his home once stood. He is hoping to rebuild his home, but for now is living on the concrete slab where his house once stood. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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A sign hangs on the RV pod that Mark Garcia uses as his bedroom on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Mr. Garcia is using in three tents and a RV pod to live in after his house was destroyed by Hurricane Ian and all that is left is the cement slab where his home once stood. He is hoping to rebuild his home, but for now is living on the concrete slab where his house once stood. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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A dog is walked past the cement slab where the PierSide Grill restaurant once stood on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The building was destroyed in Hurricane Ian. The process of rebuilding continues four months after the hurricane passed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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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)
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(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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Beach goers ride their bicycles under remaining cement structure that 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)
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A sign advertises eight lots for sale on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The lots are for sale after the homes on it were destroyed in Hurricane Ian. The process of rebuilding continues four months after the hurricane passed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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In this aerial view, cleared lots are all that remain of some homes that were destroyed by Hurricane Ian on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The process of rebuilding continues four months after the hurricane passed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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In this aerial view, cleared lots are all that remain of some homes that were destroyed by Hurricane Ian on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The process of rebuilding continues four months after the hurricane passed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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In this aerial view, cleared lots are all that remain of some homes that were destroyed by Hurricane Ian on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The process of rebuilding continues four months after the hurricane passed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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Beach goers watch the sun set on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The process of rebuilding continues four months after the hurricane passed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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Beach goers walk past a pile of Hurricane Ian debris on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The process of rebuilding continues four months after the hurricane passed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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Beach goers walk past a pile of Hurricane Ian debris on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The process of rebuilding continues four months after the hurricane passed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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Beach goers walk past a pile of Hurricane Ian debris on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The process of rebuilding continues four months after the hurricane passed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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Nastassia Hermida (R), from the Morganaro International Group, shows Maria Rizek an ocean side lot for sale on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The lot was put up for sale after the original home on it was destroyed in Hurricane Ian. Mrs. Rizek said she was looking to purchase a lot to build on for investment purposes. The process of rebuilding continues four months after the hurricane passed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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Nastassia Hermida (L), from the Morganaro International Group, shows Maria Rizek an ocean side lot for sale on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The lot was put up for sale after the original home on it was destroyed in Hurricane Ian. Mrs. Rizek said she was looking to purchase a lot to build on for investment purposes. The process of rebuilding continues four months after the hurricane passed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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Nastassia Hermida (L), from the Morganaro International Group, shows Maria Rizek an ocean side lot for sale on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The lot was put up for sale after the original home on it was destroyed in Hurricane Ian. Mrs. Rizek said she was looking to purchase a lot to build on for investment purposes. The process of rebuilding continues four months after the hurricane passed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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In this aerial view, construction crews clear lots of homes that were destroyed by Hurricane Ian on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The process of rebuilding continues four months after the hurricane passed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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In this aerial view, cleared lots are all that remain of some homes and businesses that were destroyed by Hurricane Ian on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The process of rebuilding continues four months after the hurricane passed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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In this aerial view, a construction crew rebuilds the roof of a home that was damaged by Hurricane Ian on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The process of rebuilding continues four months after the hurricane passed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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Dewitt Willis cleans up around his RV home on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Willis is living in the RV after his house was destroyed by Hurricane Ian and all that is left is the cement slab where his home once stood. He said he would do every thing in his power to rebuild on the site. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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A sign reading "We can rebuild your dream" is posted on an empty lot where a building once stood before it was destroyed by Hurricane Ian on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The process of rebuilding continues four months after the hurricane passed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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In this aerial view, Allan Harriger works to secure a water line on a lot that was cleared of six homes after they were destroyed by Hurricane Ian on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The process of rebuilding continues four months after the hurricane passed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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Allan Harriger works to secure a water line on a lot that was cleared of six homes after they were destroyed by Hurricane Ian on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The process of rebuilding continues four months after the hurricane passed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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Allan Harriger works to secure a water line on a lot that was cleared of six homes after they were destroyed by Hurricane Ian on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The process of rebuilding continues four months after the hurricane passed. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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Mark Garcia (L) relaxes with Jorge Olivarez in his tent home on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Mr. Garcia is using in three tents and a RV pod to live in after his house was destroyed by Hurricane Ian and all that is left is the cement slab where his home once stood. He is hoping to rebuild his home, but for now is living on the concrete slab where his house once stood. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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A makeshift kitchen where Mark Garcia makes his meals is seen in his tent home on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Mr. Garcia is using three tents and a RV pod to live in after his house was destroyed by Hurricane Ian and all that is left is the cement slab where his home once stood. He is hoping to rebuild his home, but for now is living on the concrete slab where his house once stood. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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Mark Garcia washes his hands outside of his tent home on January 25, 2023 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Mr. Garcia is using in three tents and a RV pod to live in after his house was destroyed by Hurricane Ian and all that is left is the cement slab where his home once stood. He is hoping to rebuild his home, but for now is living on the concrete slab where his house once stood. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)