PUBLISHED ON: OCTOBER 01, 2022
What’s Open in SWFL, What’s Hurting & How You Can Help
Hurricane Ian made landfall in Southwest Florida just shy of a Category 5 Hurricane, making it one of the top 5 strongest storms to touch down in Florida.
We are sending out prayers to our fellow Floridians affected by the impact.
It will be a long road of recovery for SWFL, but we are a resilient community full of brave and caring individuals, which is what makes living here so special. We are especially grateful for our first responders who are ensuring our safety.
If you have been affected by the storm, we curated a list of resources to help you during this devastating time. In this blog, you will find out:
- Which SWFL businesses are open after Hurricane Ian
- Where you can go for free supplies, food and more
- How to request wellbeing checks in Lee County
- How to mark yourself and your loved ones safe/found
- How to apply for FEMA assistance
- And more
If you would like to contribute to Hurricane Ian relief efforts, we put together a list of local nonprofit organizations, most of which are already on the ground helping our community, that you can donate to right now.
First, we’ll dive into resources for our SWFL community.
Post-Hurricane Ian Resources for Relief in Lee County, SW Florida
Fellow SW Floridians, we curated this list of resources (including operating businesses) for you to seek information, supplies, aid and more.
Temporary Housing Assistance
Free Supplies
Valerie’s House Lee County | 1762 Fowler St. Fort Myers, FL
Valerie’s House survived the storm and is currently offering resources to families affected by Hurricane Ian. You can visit any of their locations in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties.
Click here to find their most up-to-date open house dates and satellite locations throughout SWFL.
Dwayne Bergmann Interiors HQ | 12195 Metro Parkway in Fort Myers, FL
Dwayne Bergmann Interiors is actively seeking donations to provide free supplies to those in need after Hurricane Ian. You can visit their headquarters or contact them by phone 239-344-7455 or over Instagram
@dwaynebergmanninteriors. Supplies include bottled water, disinfectant wipes, baby and pet supplies, feminine products and more.
Free Food & Water – Distribution Sites
Old Bonita Library | 26876 Pine Ave. Bonita Springs, FL
Kelly Road Soccer Complex | 10750 Kelly Rd. Fort Myers, FL
Cape Coral Sports Complex | 1410 Sports Blvd. Cape Coral, FL
Cape Coral Leonard Street | 4820 Leonard St. Cape Coral, FL
Estero High School Ballfield Park | 9100 Williams Rd. Estero, FL
North Fort Myers Recreation Center | 2000 N. Recreation Parkway North Fort Myers, FL
Fleamasters Fleamarket | 4135 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Fort Myers, FL
Veterans Park Recreation Center, 55 Homestead Rd. Lehigh Acres, FL
Free Vehicle Maintenance
Tire Kingdom Service Centers will be offering free tire repair, free battery check, free brake check, free tire air pressure check through 10/14.
Free Mental Health Services
To receive complimentary mental health services, you can call the Florida Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990. Additional disaster mental health resources can be found
here.
Request SWFL Wellbeing Checks
To request a wellbeing check following Hurricane Ian, call the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 239-477-1000. Call 911 for emergencies.
Report Safe & Found Persons
To mark yourself and others safe, please fill out the Florida Disaster Division of Emergency Management form
here.
Check on Your Home
If you evacuated or are far away from your home, you can check satellite imagery of Hurricane Ian’s destruction in SWFL at
www.storms.ngs.noaa.gov.
FEMA Disaster Assistance
To apply for disaster assistance,
- Visit www.disasterassistance.gov
- Call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time
- Use the FEMA mobile app
Which SWFL businesses are open right now after Hurricane Ian?
Below you’ll find an in-depth list of businesses that are currently operational after Hurricane Ian. We will update this list regularly, so if you know of a business that isn’t listed, please let us know in the comments.
What’s Open in Fort Myers, FL After Hurricane Ian
- 7-Eleven – 1688 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33907
- Chevron – 3005 Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33901
- Ace Hardware – 12830 Metro Parkway Fort Myers, FL 33966
- Ace Hardware – 18911 Tamiami Trail South (US 41) Fort Myers, FL 33908
- Tropical Hardware – 2605 Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33901
- Lowes – 8040 Dani Drive Fort Myers, FL 33966
- Sam’s Club – 5170 S Cleveland Ave Fort Myers, FL 33907
- Costco – 7171 Cypress Lake Dr. Fort Myers, FL 33907
- Metro Ice Co – 1946 Honda Dr. Fort Myers, FL 33907
- Wawa – 2370 Colonial Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33907
- Publix – 34101 Summerlin Rd. Fort Myers, FL 33919
- Walmart – 4770 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33966
- Target – 9350 Dynasty Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33905
- Home Depot – 3402 Forum Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33905
- Walgreens – 1525 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33907
- Walgreens – 4204 Palm Beach Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33905
- Northern Tool + Equipment – 9940 Interstate Commerce Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33913 (generators available)
- FK Your Diet – 19630 S Tamiami Trail Fort Myers, FL 33908
- The Mason’s Lodge – 10868 Metro Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33966
- Bruno’s of Brooklyn – 2112 Second St. Fort Myers, FL 33901 (open 12-5)
- Farmers Market Restaurant – 2736 Edison Ave. Fort Myers, FL (Food truck onsite every day, except Sunday)
- The Saucy Meatball –12401 Commerce Lakes Dr. Fort Myers, FL
- Downtown House of Pizza – 1520 Hendry St. (cash only)
- Blu Sushi Downtown – 2262 First St. Fort Myers, FL
What’s Open in Cape Coral, FL After Hurricane Ian
- Publix Super Market at Cape Coral Landings – 127 Cape Coral Pkwy W, Cape Coral, FL 33914
- Publix Super Market at Midpoint Center – 2420 Santa Barbara Blvd, Cape Coral, FL 33914
- Winn Dixie – 1016 Cape Coral Pkwy E Ste 110, Cape Coral, FL 33904
- Bj’s Wholesale Club – 1929 NE Pine Island Rd, Cape Coral, FL 33909
- Walgreens – 611 Burnt Store Road S, Cape Coral, FL 33991
- Masala Mantra Indian Bistro – 4518 Del Prado Blvd. Cape Coral, FL 33904
- El Mambo ll Bakery & Restaurant – 1515 SE 47th Terrace. 9am-5pm.
- Paradise Tiki Hut Bar & Grill – 1502 Miramar St, Cape Coral, FL 33904
- Nice Guys Pizza & Beer – 1404 Cape Coral Pkwy E, Cape Coral, FL 33904 (patio open, drinks only)
What’s Open in North Fort Myers, FL After Hurricane Ian
- Publix – 6700 Bayshore Rd. North Fort Myers, FL 33917
If you know of more businesses that are open in SW Florida after Hurricane Ian, please let us know in the comments.
How You Can Help Provide Relief in SW Florida Following Hurricane Ian
In addition to the Florida Disaster Fund, there are many SWFL nonprofit organizations who are already providing hands-on relief to our community. You can help by making a donation to any of the organizations listed below. If you are a SWFL local, please consider volunteering.
Valerie’s House – Grief Support & Emergency Aid for SWFL Youth & Families
Valerie’s House is currently open during the aftermath of Hurricane Ian and providing resources, supplies and aid to families in Lee County, Collier County and Charlotte County. Learn more
here and donate at
www.valerieshouse.org.
Community Cooperative – Feeding the Hungry & Homeless in Lee County
Community Cooperative weathered the storm and is already on the ground helping our community. You can contribute to their Hurricane Ian emergency relief fund, which will help Southwest Florida rebuild and recover. Learn more and donate
here.
Gulf Coast Humane Society – Saving Pets & Helping Them Find Homes
The Gulf Coast Humane Society is currently closed due to Hurricane Ian. Cash donations will go directly toward rebuilding their animal shelter. To donate or see their wish list, visit
www.gulfcoasthumanesociety.org.
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) – Protects & Cares for Southwest Florida Coastal Ecosystems
SCCF preserves our lands, waters and wildlife through conservation efforts. Sanibel and Captiva islands were some of the hardest hit areas by Hurricane Ian, so SCCF needs your support now more than ever. Learn more and donate at
www.sccf.org.
LARC Lee County – Serving People with Developmental Disabilities in SWFL
LARC assists Lee and Collier County disabled residents in achieving their full potential. Offering vocational training, community residential services and more, LARC currently supports over 300 people and their families in Southwest Florida. Learn more and donate at
larcleecounty.org.
Florida PACE Funding Agency – Assists in the Funding of SWFL Home Improvements
The Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program provides financing for home improvements related to hurricane protection and energy conservation. PACE works with residential and commercial property owners in SWFL. Learn more at
floridapace.gov.
F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva Inc. – Neighbors Helping Neighbors on the SWFL Islands
F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva Inc. is a human resources organization that emphasizes the importance of lending a helping hand to those in need on Sanibel and Captiva Island. They offer food program, social services and more. Learn more and donate
here.
The Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) – Saving Wildlife Through State-of-the-Art Care & Conservation
Through education, research and rehabilitation, CROW protects wildlife native to Southwest Florida. Located on Sanibel Island and serving all of SWFL, the CROW Clinic has served our local wildlife for nearly 50 years. Learn more and donate at
crowclinic.org.
“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society – Supporting the National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society supports Sanibel Island’s national wildlife refuge. By acquiring more land and creating wildlife corridors, this organization advocates for the conservation of native wildlife in SWFL. Find more info at
dingdarlingsociety.org.
Do you know of a nonprofit organization making an impact or needing assistance after Hurricane Ian? Please share in the comments.
Thank you for your support during this trying time. We will rebuild. #SWFLstrong
