Times Square Clock on Fort Myers Beach Destroyed
On Fort Myers Beach, there was an iconic clock that has appeared in countless pictures taken by locals and tourists alike.
Some say it is the most southern point of Ft Myers Beach. A few years back, there was talk of removing the clock but the community did not want the iconic clock to go away. In 2020, Mayor Ray Murphy said the clock is going to stay permanently. And recently when the clock broke, the community rushed in to help repair the clock. Now with Hurricane Ian passing over the beach, that iconic clock has been completely destroyed.
Now there is a push to replace the Fort Myers Beach clock. Verdin Bells and Clocks in a statement said that they are looking forward to working with the community and replacing the iconic clock and restoring the spirit that the clock brought to Ft Myers Beach.
NBC2 Gage Goulding has the full story
Pictures Of Fort Myers Beach In The Aftermath Of Hurricane Ian
Fort Myers Beach is absolutely destroyed. Our entire Southwest Florida area is reeling from Hurricane Ian. Most of us are without power and internet. We have limited cell and text messaging available. Many of you reading this are from outside of our area, so if can help:
How To Help Those Impacted By Hurricane Ian
We are currently live and taking phone calls and texts 98.1 FM, 106.3 FM, and 96.1 FM. You can also steam via the B103.9, 96K-Rock, ESPNSWFL, and Sunny1063 apps. To hear the broadcast in Spanish, tune to 99.3 fm or via the Playa99.3 app.
Hurricane Ian made landfall near Cayo Costa, an island off the coast of Fort Myers, just after 3 p.m. on Wednesday. With Ian, came 150 mph winds, the fifth-strongest hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. According to ABC News, “Ian then made a second landfall 90 minutes later, still as a Category 4 storm with 145 mph winds, just south of Punta Gorda, near Pirate Harbor.”
While the efforts to restore Fort Myers Beach will be a years long recovery, our whole area is suffering greatly. The causeway to Sanibel collapsed and the docks sustained heavy damage, making the island only accessible by helicopter. There’s some areas where we don’t even know yet the extent of the damage.
We will rebuild. But this is going to take a long time.
To see the gallery from Bonita Beach, that’s here.
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: The pilings from Fort Myers Beach pier are all that are left after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: People walk past a building destroyed as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged boats are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, a damaged Fort Myers Beach pier and surrounding buildings are seen after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, a damaged Fort Myers Beach pier and surrounding buildings are seen after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, boats are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, boats are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, boats are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, boats are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, boats are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, boats are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, boats are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, boats are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, boats are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, people place a tarp on a house that was damaged as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, boats are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, boats are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, a vehicle rests near a pool and on a dock after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, beach sand covers a roadway after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, a condo building is damaged after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, boats are seen along side a home after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, people walk amongst debris as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, a person walks along a sand-covered street after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In this aerial view, trucks stage to begin work on the electrical lines after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
SAN CARLOS ISLAND, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In this aerial view, boats sit atop one another in a marina near Fort Myers Beach on September 29, 2022 in San Carlos Island, Florida. Hurricane Ian brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
SAN CARLOS ISLAND, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In this aerial view, boats sit grounded in a woodland area and along the side of the road after being pushed by rising water from Hurricane Ian near Fort Myers Beach on September 29, 2022 in San Carlos Island, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
SAN CARLOS ISLAND, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In this aerial view, boats sit grounded in a woodland area and along the side of the road after being pushed by rising water from Hurricane Ian near Fort Myers Beach on September 29, 2022 in San Carlos Island, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
SAN CARLOS ISLAND, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In this aerial view, a home sits precariously on the edge of the water after being pushed by rising water from Hurricane Ian near Fort Myers Beach on September 29, 2022 in San Carlos Island, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
SAN CARLOS ISLAND, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In this aerial view, boats sit grounded in a woodland area after being pushed by rising water from Hurricane Ian near Fort Myers Beach on September 29, 2022 in San Carlos Island, Florida. Hurricane Ian brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
SAN CARLOS ISLAND, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: Bob Leisure, owner of the Getaway Marina, salvages what he can from his business after it was destroyed by rising water near Fort Myers Beach on September 29, 2022 in San Carlos Island, Florida. Hurricane Ian brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
SAN CARLOS ISLAND, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: Passersby photographs damage caused by rising water on San Carlos Island near Fort Myers Beach on September 29, 2022 in San Carlos Island, Florida. Hurricane Ian brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
SAN CARLOS ISLAND, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: Mike McPhillips, salvages trawling lines after riding out Hurricane Ian and rising water near Fort Myers Beach on September 29, 2022 in San Carlos Island, Florida. Hurricane Ian brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
SAN CARLOS ISLAND, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: Boats sit atop one another in a marina near Fort Myers Beach on September 29, 2022 in San Carlos Island, Florida. Hurricane Ian brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
SAN CARLOS ISLAND, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: Boats sit atop one another in a marina near Fort Myers Beach on September 29, 2022 in San Carlos Island, Florida. Hurricane Ian brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: A sailboat which was pushed ashore by hurricane Ian sits on dry ground on September 30, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Power lines are leaning precariousl after hurricane Ian passed through on September 30, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Ron Waselenchuk inspects his sailboat which was pushed ashore by hurricane Ian on September 30, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Ron Waselenchuk inspects his sailboat which was pushed ashore by hurricane Ian on September 30, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: A wall of a condo was torn off as hurricane Ian passed through on September 30, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: A sailboat which was pushed ashore by hurricane Ian sits on dry ground on September 30, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)