No non-residents allowed on Fort Myers Beach. Military order.

Sightseers looking to get a personal glimpse of what Hurricane Ian did to their favorite bar, shop, or restaurant on the beach are being met by armed military personnel ordering them to show identification, and if you don't presently live on the island of Fort Myers Beach, they order you to leave at gunpoint and threaten to use deadly force if you don't flee the other way. They speak like MCRD San Diego drill instructors, and they raise their military assault rifles at people on foot and bicycle seen approaching the bridge, bazookas at cars approaching the bridge, and clearly will use deadly force without warning on all uncooperative and/or unruly persons. It likely won't be until Spring or Summer 2024 before non-residents are allowed back on the beach.