Islanders still weathering the storm on Pine Island
Captain Cathy Eagle has spent over 40 years boating in local waters. As a professional charter captain, she specializes in dolphin and nature tours, however during this time of cleanup from Hurricane Ian, she’s taken a break from her regular gig to help other islanders.
From giving cans of gas to passing vessels who may be running low out on the water, to bringing groceries, by boat, to neighbors in need, who have no way of leaving their waterfront homes, and more importantly, shuttling islanders to what’s left of their homes in order to assess damage. Eagle has undertaken the role of caretaker to everyone around her, and right now, it seems to be a need that’s insurmountable.
“My nephew, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, was on board and also my brother who flew helicopters and was doing rescues in Vietnam — well they both said this is a war zone,” Eagle said.
At the time of this interview, Eagle, who had been on the water for eight days, said most people have only seen Pine Island from the air. Not yet having access to television or the internet has given her a uniquely limited perspective, forcing her to live in the moment firsthand.
“All I see is at eye level, in real time, every day. It really is a war zone. That to me is the most poignant thing. As I’ve been out with some home and business owners — it’s been up to four and five times for some of them — each day they take in a little bit more and begin to realize the gravity of the situation,” Eagle said.
Pine Island Kiwanian Darcy Conner and her husband, Chamber Board member Dave Conner, decided to vacate Pine Island and head to Port St. Lucy at the last minute, just before Hurricane Ian hit.
“We finished boarding up the house, we looked at the news and then loaded the dogs up with our toothbrushes for the next day and that was it. We left everything behind,” Conner said.
While Conner said she was relieved not to have irreparable damage to her Bokeelia home, she said she came back to what seemed like a completely different place. Having three dogs to move with each journey is an issue for the Conners, who have already made several post hurricane trips back and forth to the island, which she now describes as a war zone.
“I have no words. People who are just coming back and seeing things for the first time — well, the pictures don’t do it justice. The life that we know — our routine — everything is gone. It’s not about rebuilding. Of course, we can rebuild. There are people still missing. It’s not about property,” Conner said.
Greater Pine Island Chamber Board Administrator Tammy Aeschliman spent her time during Hurricane Ian by herself.
“I was preparing to stay on the island with my husband and our dog and then at the last minute I have some friends (up north) who called and asked what we were doing. I told them we were going to stay on the island and they insisted we go to their winter house in Cape Coral,” Aeschliman said.
At the last minute, she packed her things and headed for Cape Coral. Aeschliman’s husband, Daniel, who she described as a determined Pine Islander, works at Tarpon Lodge and decided to stay on the island through the storm.
“He wanted to stay close by so that after the storm he could help out at Tarpon,” Aeschliman said.
Although she knows many people were scared in the storm, being all by herself through Hurricane Ian was terrifying, she said.
“I just stayed in a closet for about 11 hours,” Aeschliman said.
The people who evacuated for the storm and have yet to return to the island, she said, are there in their hearts and souls and would do anything for Pine Island.
“As a chamber, we try to do so much for the community. We also want to help rebuild, so we have a Go Fund Me page. We’re a strong community and we’re all pulling together. It saddens me, but instead of being sad, we need to start saying, look, this is what we’re doing,” Aeschliman said.
John Hayes, who is helping to clean up the mess Ian left behind at the Blue Dog Restaurant, lives just across the street. Although his house has been left in shambles, like most islanders, he’s happy to help out in any way he can.
“We’re going to rebuild. They can’t run us out. My house is there, but everything washed out the door. I’m going to help out until I’m no use anymore. I’ll stay with a friend off the island and keep coming to clean up,” Hayes said.
Maria Steelman is a Matlacha resident with minnows swimming in her pool. She finds herself amazed at how closely the community has been pushed together in the wake of last week’s hurricane.
“We were neighbors, but now we’re family. We went from not even really knowing each other to being a family,” Steelman said.
Jesse Minoski is a fishing guide who said his business has been hit hard by hurricane. Trying to find a way to help, he’s been running insurance adjusters back and forth by boat while sharing whatever he has of use onboard.
“Our fishing business is hurting but there’s work. We’re taking people out to see their houses on Pine Island, Sanibel and Captiva. You gotta find the positive in all of this. It will all rebuild, everything will come back. Everyone will want to come down in season to see it. There will always be something, even if we’re giving tours. It will never die — there are too many positive people,” Minoski said.
Tari Riechers is busy getting her 88-year-old mother’s house gutted and cleaned out, without revealing too much to her to save her from the shock.
“I displaced my mom up to Bradenton. Her house is a teardown. We have friends on Burnt Store Road, where we went and stayed during the storm. She’s doing better than I am but I don’t want her to see the house. I try not to tell her too much. To the other islanders I’d say, next time get off the island. There were so many people that stayed. Get off,” Riechers said.
To reach PAULETTE LeBLANC, please email pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com