Future of businesses in jeopardy, after FEMA announces shipping containers need to go
The future of some businesses on Fort Myers Beach may be in jeopardy.
Two weeks ago, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that businesses can no longer operate out of shipping containers or trailers that cannot be pulled by light-duty trucks.
Many businesses were given temporary permits to operate in shipping containers and trailers after Hurricane Ian destroyed their brick-and-mortar. However, FEMA says it's now time to move on. The trailers are major hazards during a storm because they are not anchored to the ground. Thomas Houghton owns La Ola Surfside Restaurant on Times Square, one of six businesses that could be affected by this. "This is the absolute worst time to do this to us. If they told us this in June, I could have exited with the season's money in the bank," Houghton said.
Now, Houghton is taking to social media to show FEMA he does have a plan to evacuate his restaurant in the event of a storm. You can watch his in-depth video here .
"We're hoping that we can give them (Town of Fort Myers Beach) time to work with FEMA and come up with a solution that works or that can at least get us through the season, so I don't have to lay off my staff and cancel all my entertainment," Houghton said.
Fort Myers Beach Operations and Compliance Director Frankie Kropacek says he's doing everything he can to work with both FEMA and local businesses, in hopes to come up with a solution.
"Our hearts go out to the people doing the business side because those are the people that lost everything. And those are the people that we have been trying to work with from the beginning," Kropacek said.
Kropecek says the town is still working to clarify with FEMA if these businesses need to have new structures by Nov. 18 or just proof of a plan. As it stands right now, if the businesses are not following FEMA's rules by the deadline, the town of Fort Myers Beach can cite them.
You can count on NBC2 to keep you updated on what happens.
