Flooding concerns on First Street in Fort Myers have residents seeking answers.
The area at the base of the Edison Bridge frequently floods, particularly during storms, leaving residents like Sandra Sprague worried.
Sprague, who lives in the Edison Condos, shared her experiences with WINK News at a recent WINK Listens event.
“Every, every time it does that, I’m looking to see how close it’s coming to my door,” said Sprague.
Her unit flooded during Hurricane Ian.
“I’m on the first floor in the front of the building, so I got the brunt of it, so I had like, three and a half feet of water in my place,” she said.
Fort Myers police have had to shut down the road at the base of the Edison Bridge multiple times due to flooding, including during Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
“I don’t see any action as far as anybody offering any solutions or even saying they’re looking for a solution,” Sprague said.
WINK News reached out to Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson to address these concerns.
Mayor Anderson explained that the flooding is due to the area’s low elevation and the saturation of the ground during heavy rain.
“There’s no place for the water to go, and there’s a high tide; it’s going to sit there, unfortunately,” said Anderson.
Anderson said city workers frequently check the drainage systems to ensure they are clear and operational, especially during hurricane season.
“Right now it’s just a matter of keeping the drainage routes clear and ensuring that they’re adequate, and that’s what we’re working with them on,” Anderson said.
The mayor said the city is collaborating with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), which owns First Street, to find a solution.
A spokesperson for FDOT said while there are ongoing discussions with the city to address the drainage issue, there are no specific plans in place for a solution at this time.