Remediation is ongoing at the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School which experienced three feet of storm surge during Hurricane Milton. File photo

Remediation from Hurricane Milton continues to be done at two island schools in the school district – The Sanibel School and Fort Myers Beach Elementary School.

The Fort Myers Beach Elementary School saw the worst impact from Hurricane Milton of the county’s schools, according to a report given to the Lee County School District Board by the district’s Operational Planning & Projects Director Frederick Ross this past week.

Fort Myers Beach Elementary School had a three-foot storm surge, but with the elementary school elevated a little, water intruded about six inches above the floor, Ross said.

The remediation includes tearing out hardwood floors, drywall and subflooring. With the electrical room at the ground level, Ross said electrical repairs also need to be done.

“We are looking to elevate as part of the repairs that are ongoing,” Ross said of the electrical room.

Fort Myers Beach Elementary School students will be attending San Carlos Park Elementary School again after Hurricane Milton caused water damage inside the island school. File photo

With water coming up from underneath, the crawl space also needs to be cleaned out, as there is sediment and debris. There was also damage to the sunshade and canopy.

“Fort Myers Beach is going to be the biggest impact and most work for repair work,” Ross said.

Ross said The Sanibel School took on about eight to 10 inches of water in the lower part of the campus,” Ross said.

The goal was to remediate and prevent ongoing damage, or growth, so the carpet was ripped out and dry wall removed. The water intruded into seven of the school’s buildings.

The majority of the damage to other schools was minor, involving ceiling leaks, ceiling tiles down, debris and signage.

Milton said the biggest obstacle Hurricane Milton brought to the district was the loss of power. “We suffered power outages at 32% of facilities,” Ross said.