Hurricane season is part of life in downtown Fort Myers, especially near the Caloosahatchee River. If you’re moving into the Downtown Commercial or Historic District, you’re likely balancing excitement with a few practical worries about storms. This guide gives you a clear 30-day move-in plan so you can protect your home, understand building rules, and know exactly who to call before, during, and after a storm. Let’s dive in.

Know your downtown hurricane risk

Hurricane season for our region runs June 1 through November 30. During this time, Fort Myers can experience tropical storms and hurricanes, heavy rain, storm surge, and high winds. In the historic and commercial core, the risks are real but manageable when you prepare early and follow your building’s policies.

Downtown areas close to the river are vulnerable to storm surge and tidal flooding during severe events. Low-lying streets can also see rain-driven flooding when storm drains are overwhelmed. High winds can damage glass, signage, awnings, and unsecured balcony items. After major storms, plan for possible power, water, and communication outages and understand that restoration timelines vary by severity and priority.

Flood insurance is separate from a standard homeowners or condo policy. If you need a new National Flood Insurance Program policy, there is typically a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins. Confirm details with your insurer. You can verify your property’s flood risk with FEMA flood maps and any elevation certificates provided at closing.

Start with priority registrations and contacts

Local alerts to set up

• Sign up for county-level warnings through Lee County Emergency Management. You’ll receive evacuation orders, shelter openings, and critical updates.
• Check City of Fort Myers emergency notifications for downtown-specific directives like curfews, parking changes, and street closures.

Utilities and essential services

• Confirm your electric utility and set up your online account for outage reporting and text alerts. Many local customers are with Florida Power & Light, but verify your provider on closing or lease documents.
• Activate your City of Fort Myers water and sewer accounts and save the outage reporting number.
• Review trash and debris guidelines. Pre-storm schedules can change, and post-storm debris must be separated for collection.

Building and property contacts

• Get written copies of your building’s hurricane plan from your landlord, property manager, or building engineer. Confirm emergency contacts, where shutoffs are located, and any rules for shutters or generators.
• If you’re in a condo or HOA, request the association’s emergency plan, insurance details, elevator policies, and shutter guidelines.
• Save non-emergency numbers for the Fort Myers Police Department and Fort Myers Fire Department.
• Ask your insurance agent for policy numbers and emergency claim steps. Your title company can provide elevation certificates, surveys, and recorded easements that may guide mitigation options.
• If you plan to add protection to a historic property, contact the City of Fort Myers Historic Preservation Office or the downtown development office to confirm what is allowed.

Your first 30 days: step-by-step

Days 0–3: On move-in

• Build your contact list. Keep printed and digital copies for your landlord or manager, HOA, building engineer, utility outage lines, Lee County and City of Fort Myers alert portals, your insurance agent, and the nearest emergency room.
• Review building and association documents for hurricane protocols. Look for required evacuations, shutter storage rules, generator policies, and elevator procedures.
• Locate shutoffs for water, gas if applicable, and your circuit breaker. Note the locations and basic steps to operate them safely.
• Do a quick safety inspection. Flag exposed glass, trees or limbs close to the building, loose items on balconies, and any clear water entry points. Photograph interior and exterior spaces for your insurance records.
• Register for local alerts at both county and city levels.

Days 4–14: Plan and procure

• Assemble an emergency kit for urban living in a historic or commercial building. Include:
  • Water: at least 1 gallon per person per day. The minimum is 3 days, but plan for 7–14 days if you have space.
  • Nonperishable food for the same period.
  • Light and power: flashlights, extra batteries, a weather radio, and phone power banks.
  • Health: first-aid kit and a 7–14 day supply of prescription medicines. Keep copies of your prescriptions.
  • Cash in small bills in case ATMs are down.
  • Important documents: insurance, deed or lease, IDs, passports, and home photos. Store originals in a waterproof, fire-resistant container and keep encrypted digital copies offsite.
  • Pet supplies: food, water, carrier, and vaccination records.
  • Tools and materials: wrench for gas shutoff, duct tape, tarp, rope.
  • Hygiene and sanitation basics.
• Confirm your insurance. Verify flood coverage, deductibles, and emergency claim procedures. If you need NFIP coverage, remember the typical 30-day wait for new policies.
• Sort out vehicle and parking needs. Downtown moves sometimes require temporary loading permits, and the city may restrict parking during storm preparations.
• Check sandbag and flood barrier options. Lee County may announce sandbag locations before storms. For ground-level entries, consider temporary professional barriers if allowed by your building and historic guidelines.
• Make your evacuation plan. Know the closest evacuation routes and designated shelters, including pet-friendly options. Decide whether you will shelter in place or evacuate depending on official orders.

Days 15–30: Finalize building-level prep

• Walk the property with management or your HOA. Review vulnerabilities, confirm how shutters or panels are deployed, identify storage for exterior items, and go over elevator protocols. Ask for any after-action reports from previous storms.
• Confirm historic-district rules before installing permanent protections. Impact windows or roll-down shutters may require approval. Temporary, removable panels could be preferred. Always check with the City of Fort Myers Historic Preservation Office.
• Review generator options and restrictions. Many historic multiunit buildings limit portable generator use due to carbon monoxide risks, ventilation needs, noise, and fuel storage rules. Permanently installed standby systems usually need permits and professional installation.
• Ask how elevator service is handled on predicted hurricane days. If elevators are shut down, plan for residents or guests with mobility needs.
• If your move-in falls during hurricane season, avoid scheduling large deliveries when a storm is forecast. Stage items inside and keep your most important belongings with you.

Historic-district rules to know

Many historic districts limit changes to visible façades to preserve neighborhood character. That can affect options like exterior shutters and visible hardware. Removable or clear panels may be allowed, while some permanent solutions need prior approval. Before you purchase or install anything, speak with local historic preservation staff and the downtown development office.

If you need to reserve curb space, ask about downtown loading zones, short-term permits, or possible temporary street closures for oversized trucks. Keep in mind that enforcement can be strict in commercial cores, and rules may tighten during storm preparations.

For post-storm cleanup, counties often require debris to be separated by type, such as vegetative versus construction debris. Follow the county’s placement and pickup rules to avoid fines and speed collection.

If your building uses a shared generator or you want to add one, you will likely need to coordinate with your HOA or board. Electrical and fire code inspections are common. Exterior changes on historic buildings can also require review.

Impact-rated windows and professionally installed shutters can reduce damage and may affect insurance costs. Approval is often needed for properties in the historic district, so begin that conversation early.

Practical tips for downtown storm living

• Secure balconies and patios. Bring in planters, furniture, and décor. Store what you can indoors and label where each item belongs for quicker reset after a storm.
• Protect glass and entry points. If you have approved panels or shutters, test-fit them before you need them. If you plan to use temporary solutions, confirm they comply with historic guidelines.
• Keep documents and digital backups ready. Store originals safely and keep a cloud copy you can access from anywhere.
• Plan for power and elevators. If the power goes out, elevators may be shut down before and after the storm. Avoid using them when winds rise or alarms sound.
• Follow generator safety rules. Never use a portable generator indoors or in an enclosed space. Keep it outside, away from windows and vents, and only if your building allows it.
• Think through communications. Phone networks can be congested after a storm. Texting can work when calls do not. Share your plan with a friend or family member outside the area.

Trusted resources to keep handy

• National Hurricane Center and NOAA for storm forecasts, advisories, and surge information.
• FEMA for preparedness checklists, flood insurance basics, and flood mapping.
• Lee County Emergency Management for evacuation zones, shelter lists, sandbag announcements, and county alerts.
• City of Fort Myers for local directives, historic preservation guidance, building permits, and downtown parking or loading rules.
• Florida Division of Emergency Management for statewide updates and links to local offices.
• Florida State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service for guidance on protecting historic properties while preserving character.
• Your local electric utility and City of Fort Myers Utilities for outage reporting and restoration updates.

Your next step

Hurricane readiness is easier when you follow a simple plan and work closely with your building team. In your first 30 days, set up alerts, confirm building rules, assemble your kit, and map out your evacuation and re-entry steps. A little structure now can protect your home and give you peace of mind all season.

If you’re exploring a move into the Fort Myers Downtown Commercial or Historic District and want local guidance that blends neighborhood expertise with practical planning, let’s connect. Whether you are buying your first place or a second home, we’re here to make your move-in safe and smooth. Unknown Company — Get Your Free Home Valuation.

FAQs

When is hurricane season in Fort Myers?

• The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, the period when Southwest Florida is most exposed to tropical systems.

What hurricane risks affect downtown Fort Myers specifically?

• Downtown’s proximity to the Caloosahatchee River brings storm surge and tidal flooding risk, plus rain-driven street flooding, high winds affecting glass and signage, and potential utility outages.

Do I need separate flood insurance for a downtown condo or townhouse?

• Yes, flood insurance is separate from standard homeowners or condo policies, and new National Flood Insurance Program policies typically have a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins.

Who should I contact first about my building’s hurricane plan?

• Start with your landlord or property manager and the building engineer, then request the HOA or board’s emergency plan, elevator policies, and shutter or generator rules.

Can I install shutters in the historic district?

• Many permanent exterior changes need approval; removable or less visible options may be preferred, so contact the City of Fort Myers Historic Preservation Office before purchasing or installing anything.