FEMA notifies town it will be taken off probation in November
Town of Fort Myers Beach Communications Director Nicole Berzin announced Monday that the town has been notified by FEMA that it will have its probationary status under the National Flood Insurance Program lifted in November. The town had been placed under probation last year by FEMA for permitting issues since Hurricane Ian. Town property owners lost their 25% flood insurance discount for policies that renewed or began April 1. According to a letter from FEMA addressed to the town Monday, its probationary status will be lifted Nov. 18, which will also end the $50 surcharge to flood insurance policies within the town’s limits.
In a letter addressed to Town of Fort Myers Beach Manager Andy Hyatt, FEMA Regional Administrator Robert Samaan said the town had met the requirements to be removed from probation under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), effective November 18, 2025.”
Samaan said the lifting of probation would “end the $50 surcharge that was added to all NFIP policies within the Town limits as part of the probation action on November 18, 2024.”
Town property owners had also lost a 25% flood insurance discount for new or renewed policies that went into effect April 1.
Samaan said the town had complied with FEMA’s demands to develop and submit a plan that includes actions and timelines to address all identified program deficiencies and violations to the maximum extent possible relating to permitting issues in the town; assessed all floodplain development from Hurricane Ian in the Special Flood Hazard Area, ensured that permits for all repairs, construction and development were obtained consistent with local floodplain management regulations; provided documentation that demonstrates the community is leveraging its code enforcement process to address new and existing code cases for all structures not confirmed as compliant; put a process in place to ensure substantial damage compliance for future events; removed noncompliant structures that were incorrectly permitted and should not have been placed in the Special Flood Hazard Area.
Among other actions, the town brought code enforcement cases against a number of properties throughout the town including condo buildings for having storage containers on site and La Ola, a restaurant at Times Square which is appealing the code enforcement case with a state administrative judge over its use of a temporary trailer in the town’s Special Flood Hazard Area.
The next step, FEMA said, is to schedule a Community Assistance Visit (CAV) no later than August 31, to ensure the town is enforcing its floodplain management regulations and meeting the minimum standards of the National Flood Insurance Program. The Town must demonstrate that all noncompliant structures are brought into compliance to avoid additional sanctions and to be reconsidered for the Community Rating System.
The earliest date for the town to be reinstated to the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System to begin receiving flood insurance discounts for property owners again is April 1, 2026.
Town of Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers credited town staff for their “tireless efforts” as well as the assistance of Congressman Byron Donalds (R-Naples), U.S. Senator Rick Scott and U.S. Senator Ashley Moody for their support as the town worked with FEMA to get off probation.
Town of Fort Myers Beach Manager Andy Hyatt had met with FEMA representatives earlier this month to discuss getting the town off probation.
“We are certainly excited to share the news that Fort Myers Beach will be removed from probationary status in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) this November,” Allers said. “This is a major step forward for our community, and we are grateful to everyone who played a role in getting us here.”
Allers said the focus going forward will be getting the town reinstated into the Community Rating System so that residents can regain their flood insurance discounts.
“We’ll continue working closely with FEMA during our upcoming meetings to achieve that goal,” Allers said.
To reach Nathan Mayberg, please email nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com