Dorian’s weekend impact minimal on FMB
While Hurricane Dorian slowly edges its way up the east coast of Florida after dismantling the Bahamas, residents on Fort Myers Beach enjoyed a quiet holiday weekend, as most people hunkered down, glued to their televisions waiting for the latest update.
Thankfully, most of Southwest Florida had made its way outside of the cone of uncertainly by Tuesday although there were still projections of possible rain and gusting winds, but nothing compared to what other areas -especially the east coast of Florida – may be facing in the next 24 to 48 hours.
“We’re thrilled we didn’t have a major impact,” Jacki Liszak, Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce president said Tuesday morning.
Liszak said the weekend was full of waves (no pun intended) of people coming and going, bookings and cancellations and a chance to quietly take in the beach.
“It seemed like things would change on every update,” Liszak said.
Hotels and restaurants were happy to serve those looking for a change of pace and getting sick of staring at a weather map for hours on end.
Liszak said beach conditions have been ideal.
“The weather’s been great – just a few rain showers here and there,” Liszak said. “The people who are out really seem to be enjoying it.”
With Dorian’s track looking, as of early Tuesday afternoon, to continue north, and more importantly, east into the Atlantic, waters in the area have been a tad bit more active, but nothing to be concerned about, said Liszak.
“Not big waves, but the water is moving a little bit,” Liszak said.
What has been moving this weekend are the roads on the Beach, as a light traffic weekend was a nice change of pace for some residents in the area, as well as the lack of traffic on the Beach and in the restaurants.
The Chamber of Commerce has been closed, but is expected to open and be fully operational Wednesday.
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