FEMA confirms Lee County and its municipalities can have their flood insurance discount

Reporter: Amy Galo, Olivia Jean Writer: Nicholas Karsen
Published: Updated:
FEMA
Credit: WINK

Residents of Lee County are breathing a sigh of relief as FEMA has agreed to allow homeowners to maintain their flood insurance discount.

FEMA confirmed Friday that Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach, Estero, Bonita Springs and portions of unincorporated Lee County will maintain its flood insurance discount of 25% (Estero’s discount is back to 20%, due to it being a younger, incorporated municipality).

The news of Cape Coral keeping their discount came to WINK News late Friday morning via Cape Coral representative Mike Giallombardo, a few hours before Scott’s announcement.

According to Giallombardo, FEMA requires Cape Coral put a plan together to prevent an event like this from happening again.

Afterward, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott provided an update via X, where he mentioned, “I won’t stop working with our local communities and FEMA to ensure these flood insurance discounts remain in place long-term and that the federal government is a partner with local governments as we continue to recover from hurricanes.”

Giallombardo told WINK that he received the information from the City of Cape Coral.

Cape Coral was among five areas in Lee County to receive notice from the federal organization regarding unpermitted work and a lack of documentation of damages caused by Hurricane Ian in 2022.

After the claims had been made, Cape Coral, along with Fort Myers Beach, Estero, Bonita Springs, and other areas of unincorporated Lee County, had to submit the proper documentation to clear the accusations.

Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter held a news conference Friday, outlining the specifics of the FEMA notification.

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