Canal Maintenance (Seawall) Ian Updates - A comprehensive list of damaged properties is available by clicking Seawall Ian List of Failures . The list includes visually inspected seawall failures as well as resident-reported failures. This is a cursory review. You may find your next-door neighbor’s seawall has failed but your address is listed, or your next-door neighbor’s address is listed but the failure extends to your home. If you suspect a seawall failure and neither your address or your neighbor’s address is not on the list, please contact Public Works at (941) 575-5050. Maps will be updated every couple of days until we are comfortable, we have captured all of the failures.
Seawall Repairs/Replacements - Notice To Proceed was issued and work is scheduled to begin by May 31.
FEMA - For questions and application status: In person at the Disaster Recovery Centers (locations listed below)Use the FEMA App for mobile devices Visit online at DisasterAssistance.gov. Call 800-621-3362 (phone wait times are longer than normal)
Displaced Vessel Program – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has established a hotline for reporting displaced vessels still on Florida state waters because of Hurricane Ian. The FWC and partner agencies including the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Department of Transportation, Division of Emergency Management and other federal, state and local agencies are working with vessel owners to remove or relocate these vessels. Report displaced or damaged vessels by calling the Hurricane Ian Vessel Hotline at (850) 488-5600, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Callers will be asked to provide the vessel’s registration number, current location and detailed description. Vessel owners are encouraged to hire a salvage company to recover their vessel to provide the safest method possible for the vessel and the environment. Owners of vessels that have become derelict have 45 days from the day the hurricane passed over the state to either remove their boats from waters of the state or bring it into a non-derelict condition. Owners of displaced vessels who lack the resources to have their boat repaired, or if their vessel is determined to be beyond repair, may release ownership of their vessel. This process can be initiated by contacting the FWC through the Hurricane Ian Vessel Hotline at 850-488-5600 and requesting to turn over a displaced vessel. An FWC representative will then contact the owner to explain the waiver process and facilitate the potential turnover of ownership.
Temporary Office Relocation - Due to extensive damage to the roof and third floor of the City Hall Annex the City Managers' Office staff is located at the Community Room at Laishley Marina. The main phone line is (941) 575-3302.
Boaters Alliance Dock Match Program - As you know, Hurricane Ian has disrupted many people’s lives throughout Florida. What you may not know is that the storm severely damaged many miles of sea wall in Punta Gorda Isles and Burnt Store Isles. Hundreds of property owners have been impacted by this disaster. The City of Punta Gorda is requesting bids from contractors so that repairs/replacement can begin as soon as possible. Unfortunately, due to the volume, it will take many months to complete this large task. One challenge is that there are many boats which will have to be relocated while construction takes place. It has been suggested that canal home owners who have open docks may wish to make their dock available to accommodate displaced boats. If you, or any member of your organization, own a dock that you would like to make available, go to the Punta Gorda Boater’s Alliance website at www.boat2puntagorda.org and click on the Dock Match button. This will take you to a form which you will need to complete to register your dock and have it placed on the list of available docks. Boat owners who need to relocate their boats may go to the same page on the website, where you will see a list of available docks with pertinent information (length, depth, etc.). You may contact the owner of the dock through the email listed. All docks are subject to an agreed upon fee (if any) by the dock owner. Those who will be using rental docks may be asked to sign a liability waiver by the dock owner. Dock owners, once your dock is occupied, please notify John Welsh so that your listing can be removed from the Dock Match program. This is a community service intended to assist boat owners who find it necessary to relocate their vessels during the time period of new sea wall installation. The Boater’s Alliance assumes no liability with this program. Thank you for your consideration. I know that we can all pull together and help one another. Sincerely, John Welsh, Past-President/Board Member281-216-4235
R.V.'s in Driveways - Code Compliance is handling the question of RV’s in driveways with individual temporary use permits. Code will then monitor that it is a necessity and it is revoked when no longer needed. No blanket allowances. We have seen is the necessity for temporary living quarters while contractors are repairing interiors. Drywall removal, sanding, etc. Construction is under permit so when it is complete, the temporary use will be revoked. Please call (941) 575-3314 for more information.
Slow DownPunta Gorda Isles and Burnt Store Isles has experienced extensive seawall damage after Hurricane Ian. We are reminding boaters to please observe the Slow Speed Minimum Wake throughout all of our canals. The wake of boats can create more property damage to those that have experienced seawall failure. Thank you for your cooperation
Federal Disaster Area-The City of Punta Gorda as a part of Charlotte County has been declared a Federal Disaster Area learn more 4673-DR-FL Initial Notice | FEMA.gov
Business Emergency Bridge Loan Loans of up to $50,000 are available to assist businesses "bridge the gap" to Hurricane Recovery learn more at https://deosera.force.com/RebuildFloridaBusinessLoanFund/s/
United Way of Charlotte County has created a program to help strengthen the local workforce following Hurricane Ian. Lost time and staff turnover due to non-work-related issues experienced by employees directly affects productivity, work quality and therefore, the bottom line. United at Work was established to assist employees of Charlotte County businesses with unmet needs that are identified after other funds have been depleted or are no longer available. Funds will be distributed to fill unmet, hurricane-related needs for those who qualify. Learn more at United at Work Hurricane Ian Response Fund | United Way of Charlotte County (unitedwayccfl.org)
Recovery & Resiliency Survey for all Charlotte County residents is available until August 1st at Recovery Survey
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