Lee County has announced that its collaborative efforts with FEMA in recent weeks have resulted in a 30-day extension for submitting documents that will reflect the actions taken in the Special Flood Hazard Area after Hurricane Ian, demonstrating full compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

In a letter from FEMA received Friday, the county learned that June 10 is the new deadline for document submittal. The previous deadline was May 9.

The letter is posted on the county’s landing page dedicated to the issue at www.leegov.com/femacrs.

The deadline extension also applies to the impacted municipalities – City of Bonita Springs, City of Cape Coral, the Village of Estero and the Town of Fort Myers Beach.

Lee County appreciates its partnership with FEMA as both parties work to retain the county’s and four municipalities’ Community Rating System (CRS) classifications.

The Lee Board of County Commissioners is committed to retaining the CRS rating of 5 to maintain the discount available to residents with NFIP policies.

FEMA also acknowledged in its letter today that the letter sent last week by Lee County and the municipalities matches the expectations of necessary documentation. That letter also is posted on the landing page.

The county has met with the FEMA administrator and is continuously working with the FEMA Region 4 administrator and FEMA staff.

FEMA has now embedded staff in the county and the municipalities.

County staff members are working diligently to provide specific documentation that will reflect the actions taken post-Ian, which made landfall Sept. 28, 2022, and was the largest hurricane to make landfall in Lee County and is ranked as the third costliest tropical system to make landfall in the United States.

The documentation will reflect the county’s records of site work review, including but not limited to: violations for unpermitted work, stop work orders, complaint code cases, processed renovation permits, documents demonstrating work was not substantial damage, documents proving work was substantial damage and demolition permits.

Additional information and documents related to this issue can be found at www.leegov.com/femacrs.

To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter at www.leegov.com/ resources/newsletters. Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc.