Islands of Sanibel, Captiva and Fort Myers Beach to Reopen

August 18, 2004-- Just 100 hours following Hurricane Charley, Sanibel and Captiva Islands and Fort Myers Beach have reopened to residents and business owners.

The area (Sanibel & Captiva Islands, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs & Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Boca Grande, & Outer Islands, North Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres) is making significant progress in assessment and clean-up efforts as accommodations and businesses work to reopen.

Tourism officials are pleased that work that has taken up to three weeks following previous storms in other areas was accomplished in the first 100 hours to allow barrier island residents to return to their homes.

At the present time, power has been restored to the majority of Lee County. As restoration continues, some area accommodations may be unable to take phone calls. Visitors with immediate plans to visit the area should check directly with their hotel to determine the status of their accommodations.

“Our tourism community is working around the clock to do everything necessary to have our area up and running as soon as possible,” says D.T. Minich, Executive Director of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau.

“We have had a tremendous outpouring of concern and offers of support from all over the world. This is an area that is appreciated by many people and they need to be assured that this beautiful tropical paradise will be open for business as soon as we are able to make it happen.”

For the latest information on the clean-up effort and estimates of re-openings, please check: www.fortmyerssanibel.com for daily updates.