FWIW, here is a report from a friend with a place on the by in Sanibel. They evacuated.
“At this point, I have NO good news other than our friends and us are alive. What we know:
1) The only means to reach the Island (other than via boat) has been destroyed. Initially, we thought just a section of the causeway was down. However, video shows MANY sections have been destroyed leaving access back to the Island a huge unknown. Spans of the bridge dump onto islands called Island A and Island B and there is just road and beach then it connects back to the main bridge. Best we can see, there is no more of the Island A. This likely means an entire NEW structure will have to be built! Never mind the remaining structure of the bridge. I’m not an engineer, so I do not have a clue as to how or when this can be done. I suppose it may come back to the way they used to do it - by ferry.
2) We don’t know what the actual total surge was on the Island. Our last video we saw was around noon yesterday from the city cams. The gulf side of the Island was under water to just under a Stop sign (4’?). On our side, the Bay side, we saw it 2-3’ and then cameras went down. We don’t know what surge we had at the house but suspect it likely filled our lower level and drown our car. Of course, we are only speculating. We have a concrete-tile roof and hurricane shields and windows so our hope is that they all held and we have not had any penetration from leaks or break-in windows. We won’t know anything until somebody gets to our home. If the structure survived, then our likely damage is then MOLD. No a/c and no air circulation inside the house leads to mold. It seems that we will have to rebuild the house. I don’t believe that I am exaggerating but I would be thrilled if I am.
3) Some have asked what our plan is. Great question for which we really don’t have an answer due to all of the variables. No access until when? No reason to return unless there is power. Whenever that happens, and if our house is damaged and uninhabitable, where do we stay? Everyone is in the same status so where will we find housing? So many variables and certainly nothing we have ever encountered.
4) The Governor has stated that Lee County (that’s us) will have to rebuild the electrical grid. It’s not merely rehanging downed electrical lines, the power stations and transformers, metal have been destroyed. So who knows how long that will take? The water systems have also been compromised and will need major repairs. I’m sure the roadways on Island will also be severely damaged. Bottom-line - this will be be months and years before any normal lifestyle will return to us. Very sad. Also, our golf course was totally under water so I’m pretty sure that will kill the grass and the cart-barn was under water. Guess I’ll have to find a new game to play for awhile.”
Heartbreaking. Prayers up.
“...I suppose it may come back to the way
they used to do it - by ferry...”
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I can remember driving onto the ferry to Sanibel.
That was probably something like 50 years ago.
Back then, there were a lot of small ferrys all over Florida.
I wonder if there are any remaining in operation.
Thanks for sharing that, even though it’s so sad. Gov. DeSantis said the entire causeway would have to be built anew and it would take we’ve all years. Until then, I guess it will be back to ferrying across as it was before 1963.
THat sounds horrible. Months and years to rebuild.
Biden had better think about rebuilding southwest Florida before sending a trillion to rebuild Ukraine!
America First!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thx.
Some error there, but my time is tight atm. Mainly causeway, causeway, causeway...
Landing A isn’t gone, there’s a 300 to 500’ breach. Doesn’t look too deep but who knows. The rest could be open in 30 days if motivated and unemcumbered by red tape, bid process, competing priorities, pork, etc.
Somebody... COE best guess, fished up 17 slab spans and reset them, then cut the ribbon in 2.5 weeks, on the NOLA/Lake P. Causeway after Katrina.
Dozers and pans already ON the McG/tollbooth approach, as of crack-o-dawn Thur.
We’ll see.
Thank you for this detailed survey of the damage to Sanibel Island and your own situation.
My heart goes out to you. And truly, without golf, how does one keep one's sanity? (A little humor lightens the load!)
When looking at the camera videos before the wind takes them out and afterwards viewing the sandlots where once stood magnificent homes, my first thought is “how can mankind believe it has the power to change the ‘climate’?” Only a fool, or a mass hypnotized population, would have the hubris to think they have more power than Nature.
Well, didn't mean to get so serious but your devastation and that of untold thousands is mind boggling. I'm so sorry for your loss, but am grateful you and your neighbors are alive.
Freep regards,
The Westerner