AN UPDATE ON HURRICANE IAN | OCT. 7, 2022
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SCCF Protecting, Caring for Community
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It has now been a week since recovery and rescue operations began on our barrier island communities. Our hearts go out to all those who have lost loved ones, pets, homes, and/or businesses. We want to thank our first responders, the City of Sanibel, Sanibel and Captiva Fire, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lee County, and all those who have come from far and wide to support our recovery efforts.
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For the past week, SCCF staff have assisted first responders from local, state and federal agencies with emergency response efforts. Our Marine Lab’s primary research vessel, the R/V Norma Campbell has been transporting equipment back and forth between Port Sanibel Marina and Sanibel for the USFWS and City of Sanibel, including ATVs, utility vehicles, and golf carts to provide transportation for first responders and to aid in recovery efforts.
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“We were fortunate to have several vehicles on the island that were at high enough elevation that they were not impacted by the storm surge,” said SCCF CEO James Evans. This included several pickup trucks, a transit van, a skid-steerer, and several ATVs and utility vehicles. This equipment was used in the initial search and rescue operations and continues to support recovery efforts.
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“Starting last Friday, our main emphasis has been to support first responders on the island in any way we can,” Evans said. “We have been using the R/V Norma Campbell, to transport equipment for U.S. Fish & Wildlife, J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel Fire, and the City of Sanibel and have also assisted with door-to-door checks.”
SCCF staff helped transport a number of evacuees from their homes to the City’s boat ramp and checked on people who stayed on the island. They also transported pets, including cats, birds, and a tortoise.
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In preparation for Hurricane Ian, which slammed the islands on Sept. 28, SCCF stored a number of its vehicles at its Wildlife & Habitat Management facility on Sanibel-Captiva Road, which is one of the highest elevations on the island.
Those vehicles have been lent to Sanibel Police, Sanibel Fire, and the City of Sanibel for use in critical first response. SCCF has also been transporting water and food and other supplies to support recovery efforts. As staff traverse the island, they are often stopped and asked about SCCF’s mission to protect and care for our coastal ecosystems.
“We’ve passed people walking on the road who have serious damage to their homes, yet the conservation ethic is still strong in their hearts,” said Evans. “They want to know how wildlife and our ecosystems are coping.”
Once life safety issues are resolved and properties have been assessed and secured, SCCF will turn its attention back to its mission.
“The good news is we’ve been seeing a lot of wildlife. We will do assessments of the impacts of Hurricane Ian on our ecosystems once we feel we’ve done all we can to support recovery efforts,” added Evans.
With one-third of its staff displaced due to storm damages, SCCF is also focused on securing housing and supporting employees through these challenging times.
“We are deeply committed to supporting our community and know that Southwest Floridians are strong and resilient, just like our ecosystems,” Evans said. “This is a time when we need to protect and care for each other as well as our beloved nature.”
SCCF does plan to undertake vital research studies to determine how our beloved coastal ecosystems and wildlife were impacted by Hurricane Ian. For now, however, the organization’s sole focus is helping our coastal community heal and rebuild.
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Accessing Sanibel
The City of Sanibel has clarified the following points about access to the island post-Hurricane Ian. A curfew is in effect on Sanibel from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. with no exception.
- Re-entry began Oct. 5 for resident access.
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Those who wish to travel to, from, or about the island must do so with their own resources and at their own risk.
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The boat ramps at Punta Rassa and Port Comfort are NOT available for launch. Individuals attempting to access those locations will be turned away.
- The City of Sanibel has no information on other locations where residents/business owners may launch their watercraft from the mainland.
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The Sanibel Boat Ramp and the ramp within the J.N. "Ding" Darling Nat'l Wildlife Refuge (Tarpon Bay Explorers) are NOT available for landing and debarking. Individuals attempting to access those locations will be turned away.
- There is no ground transportation on Sanibel.
- Private barges may not access the island at this time, unless explicitly authorized by the City Manager. No motorized equipment or generators are permitted on island at this time.
Requirements to Obtain Hurricane Reentry Passes
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Residents, business owners, property owners, renters, contractors, and other individuals: Click here.
Guidance from Lee County and the U.S. Coast Guard
- All Lee County Parks & Recreation boat ramps remain closed until further notice as the facilities and surrounding waterways are assessed.
- The U.S. Coast continues to conduct channel surveys and aids to navigation verifications due to potential navigational hazards caused by Hurricane Ian in the vicinity of Fort Myers Beach, Port Charlotte, and Boca Grande. This area remains closed to commercial vessel traffic unless previously authorized by the Captain of the Port.
- Recreational boaters are strongly advised to avoid this area due to potentially unsafe conditions.
- The Coast Guard will continue to enforce all commercial vessel regulations. As a reminder, documented vessels may not be employed in any trade other than the trade endorsed upon the vessel’s Certificate of Documentation. A vessel documented exclusively as a recreational vessel may not be used for any other purpose. Any consideration, payment, economic benefit, inducement, right or profit contributed as a condition of carriage on a vessel constitutes passenger service and must comply with all inspected or uninspected passenger vessel regulations.
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Captains Providing Transport
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Below are individuals who are available to take residents by boat to the islands. Please contact them directly to arrange transportation and other details as to cost, number of people, pick up location etc. Texting is typically most efficient.
SCCF is not endorsing these names, which are solely being provided as a resource.
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Captain Eric Davis, 239.707.7113. captainericdavis@gmail.com
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Captain Sean Kelly: 239.677.7929. info@tarponsnookredfish.com
- Captain Dave Russo: 239.634.0387
- Captiva Adventures & Native Guides: 239.822.3337
- Captain Andrew Barron 239.994.7002
- Captain Peter: 239.825.8513
- Captain Brandon: 239.253.6356
- Captain Paul: 239.850.2088 (only 3 people at a time)
- Captain Nelson: 239.810.0656
- Dalton Outlaw: 239.628.0534
- Captain David: 239.950.1541
- Captain Jordan DeLaney: 239.464 8066
- Captain Rob: 239.994.1238
- Captain Cody: 954.422.3479
- Captain Jenni Maughan: 239.309.8527
- Jimmyzhoucharters 239.839.6528
- Captain Larry 239.691.6543 (beginning 10/10)
- Captain Frank: 239.337.4275 (beginning 10/10)
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Damage Assessment
The City of Sanibel has provided a way to view damage assessments of properties on Sanibel and Captiva. The structure assessments were completed by Urban Search and Rescue Teams.
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Plans to Open Causeway
Gov. Ron DeSantis directed the Florida Department of Transportation to prioritize repairs to the Sanibel Causeway, needed for first responders and Sanibel residents, as well as other recovery efforts such as power restoration and debris removal. It is anticipated to have the causeway accessible by the end of the month.
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Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance
The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides support and monetary relief to eligible individuals who have experienced losses following natural disasters. FEMA may be able to help survivors with:
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Temporary housing while you are unable to live in your home, such as rental assistance or reimbursement for hotel costs
- A temporary housing unit, if approved for the disaster, when you are not able to use rental assistance due to a lack of available housing resources
- Funds to support the repair or replacement of owner-occupied homes that serve as the households primary residence, including privately owned access routes, such as driveways, roads, or bridges
- Funds for other uninsured or under-insured disaster-caused expenses and serious needs, such as repair or replacement of personal property and vehicles, or funds for moving and storage, medical, dental, child care, funeral, and other miscellaneous items approved by your state, territory, or tribal government
- Temporary roof repairs for eligible homeowners through Operation Blue Roof, which is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on behalf of FEMA. Click here to learn more or call 888-766-3258
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REBUILDING SCCF
Like so many others, SCCF has been upended by Hurricane Ian. Now that we have been on the island and seen the damages on our own structures and properties, including the loss of an intern house (pictured above), we are gaining a clearer picture of the unprecedented challenges ahead and are asking those interested in supporting us to make a gift at the link below. These unrestricted donations will be used for temporary staff housing, heavy equipment, and other immediate needs. As we learn of the unmet needs of other island nonprofits, we will redirect donations to them as well.
If you have questions about this appeal, wiring larger gifts to SCCF’s bank account, or making a donation of stock shares, please contact SCCF Development Director Cheryl Giattini at 239-822-6121 or cgiattini@sccf.org. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this heartfelt request.
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