Preparing for Hurricane Season in Fort Myers: Why Self Storage Is a Smart Move
On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian made landfall near Cayo Costa, just northwest of Fort Myers, as a high-end Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 150 mph. According to the Impacts of Hurricane Ian Along the Low-Lying Southwest Florida Coast study, the storm unleashed catastrophic flooding, destroyed entire neighborhoods, and pushed a deadly 12–18-foot storm surge across Lee County, including Fort Myers Beach. Ian claimed at least 149 lives in Florida, the vast majority in Southwest Florida, and became one of the costliest disasters in U.S. history—with estimated damages exceeding $112 billion.
Fort Myers bore the brunt of the storm. In some inland areas, floodwaters lingered for over a week, rendering homes uninhabitable and cutting off access to major roadways. The EPA reports that Ian also created widespread hazardous material exposure: over 100 fuel tanks, 200 containers of unknown chemicals, and 24 vessels required environmental response due to storm-related dislodging and leakage.
Beyond the initial destruction, Ian exposed critical weaknesses in residential infrastructure and planning. FEMA’s official review highlights that homes built prior to updated wind and flood codes were significantly more vulnerable. One year later, federal aid surpassed $8.7 billion, including over $1 billion in individual assistance, $4.4 billion in National Flood Insurance Program payouts, and nearly $2 billion in Public Assistance for infrastructure repair and debris removal.
The Role of Self Storage in Hurricane Resilience
While large-scale remediation is essential for community recovery, personal disaster readiness plays an equally important role. For homeowners and renters in Fort Myers, secure self storage has emerged as a vital layer of defense against the growing threat of hurricanes. The reality is simple: many residents cannot fully hurricane-proof their homes. Low elevation, aging construction, and limited storage space make it difficult to keep possessions safe during a storm. When Hurricane Ian flooded neighborhoods, many lost irreplaceable family heirlooms, vital records, electronics, and furniture—all because those items were stored on-site in vulnerable spaces like garages and ground-level rooms. By relocating valuables to a secure, climate-controlled self storage facility before a storm hits, residents can dramatically reduce their risk of loss. At Great American Self Storage in Fort Myers, units are built above the floodplain and are reinforced to withstand severe wind and water. Climate control ensures that stored items are protected from the mold and mildew that frequently follow in the wake of flooding and prolonged power outages.
How Self Storage Supports Recovery After the Storm
Hurricane recovery doesn’t end when the winds die down. In the weeks and months after Ian, residents needed safe, dry places to store whatever they could salvage—or brand-new items purchased to replace what was lost. FEMA’s response included mobile housing units and temporary relocation assistance, but families often struggled with space constraints and ongoing restoration projects at home. Self storage helped bridge this gap. It provided a secure transition space where residents could keep furniture, appliances, and personal items while their homes were being repaired or rebuilt. Contractors and small businesses also turned to storage facilities to hold tools, equipment, and materials during the recovery phase, avoiding the theft and weather damage that plagued many unsecured job sites. For many, having a storage unit meant the difference between chaos and continuity during a difficult time.
Take Hurricane Season Seriously—Start Preparing Now With Great American Self Storage
Florida’s hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, and recent data shows a worrying trend: hurricanes are becoming more intense, more frequent, and more destructive. In Fort Myers, where tropical systems make landfall every 8 to 9 years on average, preparedness isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Great American Self Storage offers month-to-month rental options, so residents can secure a unit early in the season without long-term commitment. With a wide variety of unit sizes, gated access, surveillance, and expert staff ready to assist, our facility is built for Southwest Florida’s storm season. Our team can help you identify the best unit for your needs and ensure you’re fully moved in before a storm threat emerges. We even offer extended access hours so that residents evacuating on short notice can quickly retrieve or store items safely. If Hurricane Ian taught Fort Myers anything, it’s that waiting until the last minute to prepare for a storm is a gamble few can afford. While FEMA, state officials, and environmental agencies continue working to restore infrastructure, individual households must take their own steps to stay safe. By securing a storage unit with Great American Self Storage, you gain more than just space—you gain the peace of mind that your possessions are protected in a facility built to weather the worst. From early preparation to long-term recovery, self storage is a critical resource for anyone living along Florida’s hurricane-prone Gulf Coast. Don’t wait for the next advisory to scramble. Fortify your preparedness plan today—because in Fort Myers, the next storm is not a matter of if, but when.
