Following evacuations, recovery efforts begin on Sanibel, Captiva
In the days after Hurricane Ian made landfall near Cayo Costa as a Category 4 storm, those who had remained on Sanibel and Captiva were being evacuated to the mainland — by boats and ferry.
Parts of the Sanibel Causeway, including a section of the bridge, had been washed away.
On Sept. 28 at about 3 p.m., the storm came ashore with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph, just shy of the 157 or higher mph required to make it a Category 5. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, it brought intense winds and heavy rainfall, including storm surge with an unprecedented inundation of 12 to 18 feet above ground level in Lee County and along the coastline.
Ian tied the record for the fifth-strongest hurricane on record to strike the United States. It was the strongest one to hit Florida since Michael in 2018 and was the first Category 4 since Charley in 2004.
A week after the storm, residents and business owners could return to the islands with a hurricane re-entry pass issued through the city of Sanibel — again, only by water. As of mid-week, the Florida Department of Transportation had begun construction on the repairs required to reopen the causeway.
Officials reported that they anticipate having the causeway accessible by the end of October.
According to the city of Sanibel, those who wish to travel to, from or about the island will need to rely on their own resources and do so at their own risk. No ground transportation is available on Sanibel.
In addition, no public boat ramps on Sanibel nor Captiva were open for landing and debarking.
There was no power, water nor sewer available for either island, with restoration efforts underway.
There is a curfew for Sanibel of 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., with no exceptions. Also, the Army National Guard has been brought in to augment the efforts of the Sanibel Police Department and emergency crews.
The National Guard is also stationed on Captiva, along with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
As an unincorporated area, Captiva is under Lee County’s curfew of 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
At a press conference on Oct. 1 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Fort Myers, where a Temporary City Hall has been set up, Sanibel City Manager Dana Souza confirmed that four people died from the storm.
“Our fatality count remains at four,” he said. “We had more happy endings than sad endings.”
Souza spoke to the heart of the island.
“We have a strong constitution in this community,” he said. “I know we are going to come out on the other side much brighter.”
Following the storm, Mayor Holly Smith sent out a statement to the island.
“I am struggling to find the words to convey my feelings, as I am sure most of us are as we look to the past four days,” she wrote. “All our lives and our island have been forever changed. What we do tomorrow and the days and months ahead will redefine and strengthen our community.”
“The job ahead of all of us is very tough. We are heart sick and devastated, but our community will prove to be so much stronger than Ian,” Smith added. “Our island and our community needs us more than ever.”
She also addressed the steps for island re-entry.
“Like search and rescue, this will be a methodical and long process. After the rescue efforts, police then go island-wide for safety and clearance, then the structural safety inspections teams conduct an island-wide inspection of every property on island for structural integrity or damages,” Smith wrote. “Once these actions are completed, the city will transition to re-entry if possible.”
A new number has been established for contacting the city. For reporting well-being checks or to volunteer resources, services and such, contact 239-603-7261. Those with email access can:
Well-being check
If you are aware of an individual(s) who remained on island and you need report a well-being check, email wellcheck@mysanibel.com and provide your name and number as well as the following:
• Name(s) of individual(s)
• Address
• Phone number
Volunteering
If you have resources, such as boats, equipment, services, skills and such, and would like to volunteer, email volunteer@mysanibel.com and provide the following information:
• Name
• Resource available
• Phone number
• Email address
On Captiva, Captiva Island Fire District Fire Chef Jeff Pawul has been providing updates.
“We have opened Captiva Drive and all roads in the village. South Seas provided us with a large tractor, which helped immensely,” he wrote on Oct. 2. “We are working to make arrangements with a barge operator to bring all of our fire equipment back to Captiva. We hope this can happen soon, and will provide more specific information as we finalize plans.”
People are asked not perform work on their property until there is adequate fire protection services.
“The use of generators and the transportation and storage of fuel creates a significant fire hazard, and we simply do not have the ability at this time to manage the potential dangers associated with comprehensive restoration activities,” he reported.
Pawul also noted there have been issues with propane LP gas tanks.
“It would be best for people to call 911 if they know they might have a problem with their tank,” he wrote. “These are potentially very dangerous situations and should be addressed through 911 if they know there is an issue.”
As of Oct. 1, approximately 25 people had been evacuated off the island to safety.
“So far, we have not reported any deaths or serious injuries on Captiva,” Pawul wrote.
“However, we did have one structure fire that occurred during the storm,” he added. “The homeowner has been notified, and the damage was limited to one building.”
To reach Tiffany Repecki, please email trepecki@breezenewspapers.com