John Gunter, mayor

Cape Coral officials provided residents with an update on Hurricane Ian recovery efforts on Friday, with an emphasis on debris removal and FEMA.

Twenty-two days after the near Category 5 storm brought devastating destruction to Southwest Florida, Mayor John Gunter said efforts will continue for months and even years.

Gunter said residents have asked when the debris will be picked up, when internet will be restored and for FEMA information.

Much of the news conference revisited issues discussed during the special Cape Coral City Council meeting held Wednesday, especially the internet situation.

Centurylink said some customers may not regain service until early next year. Comcast said 95 percent of residents had their internet service restored. The rest were told to contact Comcast.

As for debris collection, Gunter said there were 160 trucks in the field that have collected more than 9,500 loads constituted 472,000 square yards of waste.

“That’s the equivalent of filling 74 football fields three feet deep. There’s eight years of vegetation debris and five years of construction debris,” Gunter said. “So this will be a lengthy task.”

The goal is to get all the debris picked up by Nov. 23. Gunter asked residents to make sure the debris is placed along the street right of way and that, if they don’t get all the debris, the city will do at least two more passes.

As for FEMA, the federal agency has set up mobile help centers throughout the city and will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., across the street from City Hall at 1020 Cultural Park Blvd.

Centers are also open in council chambers at 1015 Cultural Park Blvd. and at the Cape Coral Arts Center, 4533 Coronado Parkway.

Two other locations being set up by Sen. Rick Scott will open in the near future. One will be at the Aubuchon Home building center at 4707 S.E. 9th Place and the other at 125 S.W. 3rd Place in the north part of the city.

Gunter also alerted homeowners who own homes built before 1981 that FEMA’s 50 percent rule for rebuilding is in effect, another issue brought up Wednesday.

If a structure sustains 50 percent of its market value in damage, the home must meet current flood requirements or it will have to be rebuilt.

Gunter also said the city has streamlined the emergency permit process while suspending the new permit process for 30 days.