FEMA has confirmed that Fort Myers Beach has earned a Class 5 rating in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System, a step in the recovery from Hurricane Ian that could earn residents financial relief. The rating was formally confirmed in a December letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It is also a national recognition for the Town’s flood mitigation and governance efforts.

Middle-class families are struggling to afford insurance in southwest Florida. Realtors say a wave of foreclosures could be coming.

Lee County is setting a deadline for home owners to apply for federal money to repair damage from Hurricane Ian more than three years ago. Commissioners also are awarding money for more affordable housing.

The DHS chief has been widely criticized for slowing down FEMA’s response after natural disasters. Texts and emails obtained by ProPublica point to an effective way to get help faster: have one of Noem’s big donors make the ask.

Hurricane Helene breached the large dune between the Gulf and the old Midnight Pass channel. Hurricane Milton’s surge fully reopened and enlarged Midnight Pass

Lee County commissioners award $350,000 contract to company to take down 28 abandoned homes destroyed by Hurricane Ian

Lee County is reopening the application process to help people whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Ian.

State regulators have finalized agreements requiring additional property insurers to pay fines because of violating claims-handling laws after Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Idalia. Documents posted on the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation website show that agreements known as “consent” orders, which were signed in August, required American Mobile Insurance Exchange to pay $400,000; Monarch National Insurance Co. to pay $325,000; and Tower Hill Prime Insurance Co. to pay $250,000. Combined with earlier agreements the result is more than $1.5 million in fines.

Boca Grande post office resumes P.O. box services after recovering from hurricane damage.

State regulators last week finalized agreements that will lead to three property insurers paying fines for violating claims-handling laws after hurricanes.