Fort Myers Beach • Lee County
Drainage & Grading in Fort Myers Beach, FL
The entire Town of Fort Myers Beach sits inside a FEMA special flood hazard area, and yard drainage here works against a low island with little room for water to go. Since Hurricane Ian, the Town has been working through storm drain projects on streets such as Seminole Way, Pepita Street, Coconut Drive and Bayview Boulevard, plus outfall work at Indian Bayou Drive. Lee County has also been repairing Estero Boulevard, where drainage along the road has been a known problem. On a private lot, the usual problems are a rebuilt house set on fill that sends water toward the neighbors, downspouts dumping onto bare sand, and low corners that hold water after every storm. A French drain only works if it can empty somewhere lower, such as a swale, a dry well or the street system. Hodges starts by finding where the water collects, then regrades, routes downspouts and adds drains to move it.
or call (239) 301-9455
Where it comes up in Fort Myers Beach
Fairview Isles
Estrellita Drive area
Laguna Shores
Plants and materials that suit it in Fort Myers Beach
- Fakahatchee grass
- Muhly grass
- Cocoplum
- Perforated drain pipe in gravel
- Downspout extensions and pop-up emitters
Questions
Why does my yard hold water when the street drains?
Often a neighbor's new fill or a rebuilt slab has changed how water crosses the lots, or the low point has no outlet. Regrading so the yard slopes toward the street or a drain, and routing roof water away from the low corner, usually fixes it.
Will a French drain work in beach sand?
Sand drains well, which helps, but a French drain still has to discharge somewhere lower. On a flat island lot that may mean a dry well or a connection toward the street swale. Without an outlet, the trench just fills and sits.
Do I need Town approval to regrade my yard?
Because the whole Town is a special flood hazard area and new construction is held to flood rules, check with the Town's Community Development staff before moving fill or changing grades near the house, especially on a recently permitted rebuild.