Returning To Sanibel Island

Returning to Sanibel Island has been nearly impossible since Hurricane Ian destroyed the Sanibel Causeway on September 28th. It was the only way to get on and off the island, other than by boat. Yesterday, for the first time since the storm, hundreds of bucket trucks were able to slowly drive across. Their important mission is to begin repairing lines and restoring power. The bridge is still not safe for regular traffic but workers have miraculously made it passable enough to continue restoration efforts.

Just look at this site.  Bucket trucks lined up almost as far as the eye can see. It seems impossible that just weeks after being washed away in several places, that the causeway is actually passable. Right now the road is only open to emergency workers. Civilians are not allowed on the island, via the causeway, until October 21st.

Until yesterday, the only way workers were able to reach the island was via helicopter, boats and barges. However, this temporary bridge fix will  expedite clean up and repair efforts in a major way.

Residents and business owners need passes to return to the island. That or a driver's license with your Sanibel or Captiva address on it. If you don't have one, the reentry passes are being issued at The Crown Plaza Hotel in Fort Myers. It's located behind The Bell Tower Shops. This is where city officials have set up a temporary, satellite city hall of sorts.

Here are some pictures of the Sanibel Causeway after Ian hit. It makes returning to Sanibel Island after only two weeks seem like an incredible feat. It is, but it is happening thanks to an incredible amount of work and fortitude. Thank you to all of the linemen and construction crews who have run to our aid. We are truly grateful.

**For more hurricane recovery information, including how you can help, click here.

After ripping apart islands such as Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, and Pine Island, Hurricane Ian made landfall near Cayo Costa. Cayo Costa is an island off the coast of Fort Myers, just after 3 p.m.  Ian came in with 150 mph winds, the fifth-strongest hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. Additionally, 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.”

Florida Department of Transportation did an amazing job getting Pine Island's bridge reconnected. The Sanibel Causeway is a much more difficult task. As you can see, Ian washed away several parts of the span.

That being said, the projection is still to have temporary fixes in place by the end of the month. Around 30 days after Hurricane Ian's landfall. Crews are working 24/7 to make this happen.

Currently, Sanibel residents reach the island by boat. There's also supplies delivered by helicopter. There's no power or water service on the island and a curfew remains in place. Sanibel is one of the most beautiful places in Florida. With a lot of work and determination, the island is rebuilding. Miami based Joe Raedle of Getty Images was on the island over the weekend.