Sanibel residents return to hurricane-ravaged island by boat, await bridge repair

Delivery trucks kicked up newly settled dust while dodging pedestrians and cyclists who trekked through Sanibel’s streets over the weekend to visit their damaged homes, their first time on the island since Hurricane Ian.

The barrier island with about 6,000 remains was separated from the mainland after 150-mph winds triggered a storm surge that brought down the Sanibel Causeway Bridge nearly two weeks ago. But more than 500 workers arrived on the island this weekend, reaching the dam’s third Blight Island — more than two miles from the mainland.

Boats, planes and helicopters have allowed access for some first responders, utility workers and local residents after city officials opened limited travel to the withered island last week – where plastic bags, power lines, stray furniture and a layer of dried, gray dirt litter the former wildlife refuge .

governor Ron DeSantis promised last week to restore the bridge to Sanibel by the end of this month. The Florida Department of Transportation completed similar repairs to the Pine Island bridge last week, enabling nonprofits — including World Central Kitchen and Rapid Response Crisis Control – to set up relief efforts.

“I disagree with the governor on a lot of other things, but in this case, he’s supporting this community and Florida residents by providing the assistance that we need,” he said DanaSuzaCity Manager of Sanibel.

Residents flocked to the island as the National Guard departed Wednesday after providing initial security assistance, a job that has now been delegated to local police and 10 Lee County state deputies. More than 500 linemen set up a tent city outside of the Sanibel School where they will live.

“It’s going to be a little spartan,” Souza said Sunday, “but it will be enough that they live on the island while they do the work.”

Ozzie Fishera South Seas Island Resort fishing guide, took people out by boat from the Captiva Hotel.

“When they see it for the first time, they are mentally unprepared, especially for the level of damage,” he said. “You see it on TV, but I don’t think it really hits anyone until they see it visually.”

Fischer saw himself not only as a ferry operator; He brought two to five people to the island every day and helped them clean their sodden houses. It’s the right thing, he said.

Fisher was one of many charter boat owners who were allowed to charge a fee for services, but recreational owners depended on donations to transport people through the debris-infested waters.

“We have so many boats that are in the water and losing fuel. They have all these houses on septic tanks and all these floods,” he said. “They have a lot of chemicals, a lot of things going on in these waters, and we won’t know the damage until a year later.”

Digitized damage assessments from the county website, Souza warned, are not binding United States national coordinating agency for disaster relief, contractors or insurance companies; separate assessments must be completed. Souza said even private roads should be cleared by earlier this week.

He assured contractors that more hurricane passes will be issued soon and announced that residents will not need permits to begin demolishing the interiors. The city, he said, wants residents to be able to take quick action against the black mold that is spreading in flooded buildings. Contractor concerns regarding port-a-potties remain a work in progress, Souza said.

As new regulations maintain the 7pm-7am curfew and allow people to stay on the island overnight, Souza reminded returning residents to stay hydrated. Five people required medical attention this week for dehydration or overheating, he said, and one had to be evacuated by helicopter.

The island’s foliage and natural shade were destroyed by saltwater waves that have since settled in drainage ditches and been swept in by the hurricane. With miles of debris in every direction, a grocery store on the island offered free Gatorade, water and snacks to residents who came back to check on the homes they had to leave.

“The big thing that’s stopping people is Gatorade,” he said Hannah St. Goone of the managers of ShackIt.

For years, she and her husband commuted from their home in Fort Myers to work across the causeway every day. This week her commute involved a ride on a friend’s boat.

“Anybody helping out on the island right now had to come by boat and at their own expense,” St. Gean said, “because they’re so motivated to see their property.”

The hurricane swept away the walls Ellen Kenners waterfront condo and took her stuff with her.

“It’s immediate Marie Kondo Declutter,” she says.

Kenner, a clinical psychologist, said joking about a tragedy is part of the processing. She said that she didn’t care what was lost in the storm but was grateful to be alive.

“We love Sanibel,” said the islander of seven years. “We still don’t want to move.”

Among other things, Kenner recalled that election season is approaching as he reviewed which files survived the surge. She is concerned about how residents will be able to vote in the midterm elections.

“Where are the polling stations?” asked Kenner. “They are no longer on Sanibel.”

Sanibel Mayor HollySmith promised residents they would reach Tommy DoyleLee County Elections Commissioner to begin accommodating Sanibel’s more than 6,000 eligible voters, some of whom gather daily in a small, carpeted conference room at a Fort Myers hotel where city meetings have been held.

Smith and some residents live in the rooms above until their dilapidated, mold-infested homes become livable. Others drove to the meeting to hear the day’s developments or to ask questions.

Smith opened Sunday night’s town meeting as he has done for the past 10 days – by reminding attendees how long it has been since Hurricane Ian hit their island. Most don’t need the reminder. They shout or murmur “Day 11” along with Smith.

The audience of utility workers, longtime residents and business owners represented a fraction of the collaboration between the public and private sectors, Smith said.

“It’s just a great example of what Sanibel is about and what makes us different from other communities,” she said.

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This story was produced by Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications. The reporters can be reached at [email protected] and [email protected]. You can donate to support our students here.


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