Fort Myers Beach declares local state of emergency after Tropical Storm Debby floods island

The Fort Myers Beach Town Council declared a local state of emergency Monday after Tropical Storm Debby's caused severe flooding and storm surge Sunday .

As the storm moved north through the Gulf of Mexico Sunday, Fort Myers Beach and nearby areas experienced heavy rain, storm surge and high tides , causing widespread flooding of roads, homes and businesses.

Fort Myers Beach faced the brunt of the storm’s outer bands, consisting of rough surf and strong winds.

"It turned out to be a little more than we expected, but nothing that we weren't anticipating and weren't prepared for," Town Manager Andy Hyatt said of the tropical storm.

Lee County was mobilizing Monday morning to do some street sweeping and cleanup, he shared at an emergency meeting.

"We didn't receive much damage, but we do have some cleaning to do." Hyatt said.

A state of emergency declaration gives the town certain emergency management and spending powers as it responds to a disaster.

Officials urged residents to shelter in place as emergency management teams began assessing damage and initiating cleanup efforts.

Hyatt highlighted that the storm surge was most severe at Old San Carlos and Times Square, but the town swiftly responded by clearing debris and collaborating with utility companies and county officials.

Reports estimated that floodwater on roads like San Carlos Boulevard and Captiva Drive peaked at over three feet of floodwater, prompting warnings against traveling from local authorities.

Nervous Nellie's also experienced severe flooding, as water entered the restaurant's hostess area and flooded the front sidewalks outside.

Danny Timothy, the general manager of Nervous Nellie's, said this level of flooding reminded him of Hurricane Idalia last year.

Most businesses closed Sunday in preparation for the storm. Like Timothy at Nervous Nellie's, however, some people were stuck inside with no way to get in or out due to the flooding.

Cleanup efforts will concentrate on clearing outfalls and ensuring all stormwater systems operate effectively. Town officials encouraged residents to check their storm drains and remove any debris to prevent blockages, as routine maintenance is crucial for preventing flooding.

The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch for Lee County, including Fort Myers Beach, until 8 p.m. Monday. The island remains under high surf, rip current and coastal flooding advisories until Tuesday evening.

The emergency meeting was streamed live on YouTube , and the resolution will remain in effect until further notice as the town continues to manage the storm's aftermath.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Fort Myers Beach declares local state of emergency after Tropical Storm Debby floods island