When locals refer to the "destruction" of Fort Myers, they are usually speaking of the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Ian in late 2022, which primarily decimated Fort Myers Beach (Estero Island) and the Historic Downtown District. The barrier islands bore the brunt of a 15-foot storm surge that leveled iconic landmarks like the Times Square pier area and wiped out hundreds of "Old Florida" cottages and businesses. By 2026, the recovery is well underway, but the landscape has fundamentally changed; many of the smaller, ground-level structures have been replaced by high-end, hurricane-resilient resorts and elevated modern homes. The Sanibel Causeway, which provides access to the nearby islands, was also famously severed and has since been rebuilt. While "Fort Myers" the city (the mainland area) suffered significant wind damage and flooding—particularly in the North Fort Myers and Iona regions—it was the coastal tourism hub of Fort Myers Beach that saw the most complete and visible destruction, transforming from a quirky beach town into a more modern, modernized coastal development area.