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Hurricane Milton Physician Relief & Resources
last updated: 10.21.24

    The Lee County Medical Society is working to assist physicians with relief and disaster resource support. Below is a guide to services available to physician residents of Lee County, Florida. This page also includes information on member practice updates and reopening dates. We will add or modify data on this page daily. We have also built a communication network for members to request supplies, housing, and relief. Text Julie Ramirez at the number below with your questions. Please consider donating to help us replenish the Physician Wellness Program which will help local doctors combat burnout and storm trauma. Click the button on the right to provide a gift.

    Do you need temporary shelter, supplies, practice or surgery space? Text Julie Ramirez at (239) 340-6351. 


    Relief Resources

    FEMA: A Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster recovery center opened at South County Regional Park Recreation Center, 670 Cooper St., Punta Gorda. The DRC will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. 

    Lee Health Staff: The following clinics and outpatient facilities are closed:

    • Bonita Bay Primary Care & Adult Rehab - primary care available at Lee Health Coconut Point office
    • Naples Golisano Peds Urgent Care & Speciality Clinic - telehealth available 
    • Sanibel Primary Care - primary care available at LPG Bass Road office 
    • Peds Rehab at Naples YMCA
    Staff with questions about current response can call the Lee Health Storm Hotline at 239-468-7876.

    Shelters: N/A. 

    To view shelters near you, visit www.leegov.com/storm

    Sanibel Access:  Sanibel is open to residents and business owners. The Lee County Sheriff's office asks that nonresidents refrain from traveling to these affected areas.

    Ft. Myers Beach: Curfew lifted. Matanzas Pass Bridge is open to residents and business owners only. Hurricane Re-entry Passes can be  retrieved October 11, 2024, in the Target parking lot off of San Carlos Blvd. Staff will be there from 7:00am - 4:30pm, weather permitting.

    Bonita Beach: Bonita Beach including Little Hickory Island is no longer under a curfew. 

    AlertLee: AlertLee is Lee County’s mass notification system that delivers rapid emergency notifications via one or a combination of the following methods: phone, text, email and social media. Lee County Emergency Management (LCEM) administers and maintains the AlertLee mass notification system for the purpose of alerting citizens to natural and man-made emergencies.

    The AlertLee system will be used when an emergency arises that you should know about. Severe weather situations, missing persons, evacuation notices, boil water notices, fire or floods and active shooter situations are few examples of the type of events that may necessitate an AlertLee notification.

    Signup at www.AlertLee.com

    LeePrepares: LeePrepares is a FREE app available for iPhones and Androids. This tool assists individuals and families with preparing for and recovering from all types of disasters that may affect the community. Access:

    • An interactive map to find your evacuation zone by GPS or address search. The map shows active evacuation areas and open shelters
    • Shelters
    • Preparedness resources
    • Local weather updates 

    Follow Lee County Emergency Management on Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/LeePublicSafety.

    FREE RIDES TO SHELTERS:

    The Florida Division of Emergency Management has partnered with Uber to provide Floridians free rides to and from shelters in counties evacuating for Milton. How to get a ride:

    1. Open the Uber app

    2. Tap Account on the bottom right & tap Wallet

    3. Add promo code MILTONRELIEF

    FEMA: 800-621-3362

    Small Business Administration Disaster Loans: 800-659-2955

    Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program:
    Administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, this program provides short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to Hurricane Ian. Apply before Dec. 2nd for loans up to $50,000. Apply HERE.

    AOB FRAUD ALERT:
    Contact your property insurer or the Florida Department of Financial Services Disaster Assistance at 877-693-5236 before signing an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) agreement with a building contractor, roofer, etc. This agreement would give them the authority to make repair decisions, collect insurance payments, and sue your carrier in your name without your knowledge, consent or involvement.

    EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATIONS: 
    LCMS is working with area real estate agents, crisis agencies, and individual physician members who can provide temporary housing. Text Julie Ramirez at 239-340-6351 if you need housing or can provide a room to a displaced member.

    Need a rental? Try HurricaneHomes.org.

    FloridaHousingSearch.org is a free, statewide search platform where you can search for affordable rental property. Search HERE or call 877-428-8844.

    The local State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) office may have recovery assistance available to help with temporary relocation, rental assistance, debris removal, and home repairs. Income qualification requirements must be met. Go HERE or call 239-321-7979

    Some local AirBNB hosts are offering reduced rates. Ask them if they are willing to reduce rates or are part of AirBNB's Open Homes Initiative before you book. 

      WET DOCUMENT DISPOSAL:
      Physician practices that experienced flooding and need to securely dispose of wet documents can call Matt at 313-320-1877 to arrange for the documents to be incinerated. (verified by LCMS)

      FOOD, WATER, ICE:
      The following Points of Distribution are open and distributing food, water and ice to impacted Lee County residents (TBD).

      COUNSELING:
      The Florida Disaster Fund and Volunteer Florida are working with the Department of Children and Families and Sunshine Health to open Family Resource Support Centers with one-on-one support for impacted families, including counseling resources on site for those who are struggling and need help. Anyone who needs help can call the Hope Line at 850-300-HOPE!

      Mental health resources for individuals and communities are also available at MyFLFamilies.com/HurricaneIan. All Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian can find someone to talk to today through the Disaster Distress Helpline by calling 800-985-5990.

      Lee County Medical Society's Physician Wellness Program

      CLOSED COUNTY PARKS:
      The following Lee County parks remain closed to the public (TBD): 

      DEBRIS REMOVAL DASHBOARD:
      Use this handy interactive dashboard to view the status of collection in an area of the county or search for an address

      CLOSED BRIDGES:
      The following bridges remain closed (TBD):

      WORK NOT REQUIRING A PERMIT: 
      • Removal of debris from on or inside a structure
      • Minor demolition to prevent injury or prevent further damage to buildings
      • Structural shoring and bracing
      • Replacement of broken glass within existing framing for windows and doors
      • Repair/Replacement of soffit and gutters
      • Roof Shingle replacement of one square of shingles (10-foot by 10-foot area, or less)
      • Minor non-structural repairs made to the exterior of structures
      • Repair of minor water leaks that do not involve structural, mechanical or electrical systems
      • Previously permitted fences destroyed due to the storm may be re-installed, like for like, in the exact same location

      VITAL DOCUMENTS & ID REPLACEMENT: 
      Birth and Death certificates are being provided at no cost to individuals impacted by the hurricane. Also, FLHSMV has deployed Florida Licensing on Wheels (FLOW) mobile units to provide no-fee replacements for driver license and identification credentials, vehicle registrations, and titles at (TBD):

      VEHICLE/VESSEL TAGS & TITLES:
      The Lee County Tax Collector's website has information on obtaining replacement tags (plates), titles for vehicles, motorhomes and marine vessels lost as a result of the hurricane HERE.  

      UNITED STATES POST OFFICES:

      • Downtown Ft. Myers, Monroe Street, CLOSED
      CARS:
      TBD

      INFANT SUPPLIES:
      The Department of Health’s Children’s Medical Services Plan and partners have setup the following locations in Lee County for individuals to receive free hygiene and infant supplies, in addition to other essentials. Open to the public (TBD):

      MOLD REMEDIATION:
      The Florida Department of Health in Lee County addresses some of the most common questions concerning indoor mold. DOWNLOAD

      MARINE TRANSPORT:
      Pure Florida has vessels to get individuals onto islands. Call 239-263-4949.

      MEDICAL CARE FOR PETS:
      TBD

      FREE LAUNDRY SERVICES:
      TBD

      DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE:

      Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is providing Disaster Unemployment Assistance to Florida businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Ian. Individuals affected in the designated-disaster areas must file DUA applications by XXXXXXXX. Go HERE to start the application process.

        AREA HOSPITAL STATUS:

        • Lee Health: 
          • All hospital locations are Open 
          • Lee Health Telehealth Services, 855-635-1393.
          • DispatchHealth in-home urgent, non-emergency care, 239-322-3435.
          • Daily updates HERE

        • HCA Florida Cape Coral Hospital:
          • All services at the facility are available 24 hours a day
          • NCH Healthcare System:
            • All locations are open.
            • Virtual Care Service fees are free
            • Daily updates HERE

          IRS RELIEF EFFORTS:

          TBD 

          OIR EMERGENCY ORDER:
          TBD The Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has issued an emergency order that prevents property and casualty insurance cancellations or nonrenewals until Nov. 28th.

          EMERGENCY SHELTERS (TBD):


          STORM CLEANUP:
          The Operation Blue Roof program, a FREE service for Charlotte & Lee County residents, will provide temporary blue covering with fiber-reinforced sheeting to help reduce further damage to property until permanent repairs can be made. Requests must be made before Oct. 23rd at 888-766-3258. Start application HERE. (for shingled roofs). 

          Crisis Cleanup will connect you with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and faith communities who may be able to assist with:

          • Cutting up fallen trees
          • Drywall, flooring and appliance removal to curb
          • Tarping Roofs
          • Debris removal to curb
          • Mold mitigation

          All services are free, but service is not guaranteed due to overwhelming need. The 1-800-451-1954 hotline will remain open through Friday, Oct. 28, 2022.

          EMERGENCY ORDINANCES, DECLARATIONS & ORDERS:


          Help/Donate

          VOLUNTEER:
          The Florida Department of Health is seeking licensed healthcare practitioners to support recovery efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Ian. 
          It is important for healthcare practitioners to not self-deploy, but to instead register with trusted organizations so response efforts can be coordinated properly.

          If you are able to volunteer, please register with Volunteer Florida to ensure you are placed where the greatest needs exist. Steps to get started are listed below:

          STEP 1: Go to www.VolunteerFlorida.org
          STEP 2: Select “Volunteer”
          STEP 3: View volunteer opportunities posted on the page
          STEP 4: Select “Express Interest”
          STEP 5: Create a volunteer account or log into an existing account.

          Non-medical volunteers are also needed at area shelters, food distribution points, cleanup location - go to volunteer.unitedwaylee.org.

          DONATE:
          LCMS FOUNDATION - PHYSICIANS HELPING PHYSICIANS
          Many physicians' homes and possessions were lost in the storm. Donations will be used to provide assistance for emergency relief and recovery services. DONATE NOW!

          In partnership with United Way of Lee, Hendry & Glades County, the Southwest Florida Community Foundation (Collaboratory) has set up the Southwest Florida Emergency Relief Fund. 100% of funds support Southwest Florida nonprofits helping people affected by Hurricane Ian. DONATE HERE!

          The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to provide financial assistance to our communities as they respond to and recover from times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with public, private, and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities. To contribute, please visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222.

          Practice Reopenings

          TBD







          Office: (239) 936-1645
          Fax: (239) 936-0533 
          Email: admin@lcmsfl.org

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          Mailing Address:
          5781 Lee Blvd. Suite 208-104
          Lehigh Acres, FL 33971

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