At 2:30 p.m. today, the city of Sanibel reported that the Sanibel Causeway is now open for property owners to return to Sanibel.
Hurricane re-entry permits or proof of residency will be required for access.
Residents of Sanibel with a green re-entry pass or a valid government issued photo ID showing a Sanibel address will be granted access.
Business owners with a red re-entry pass will be granted access.
There are still portions of roadways with standing water and drivers are encouraged to use caution when returning to their homes and businesses.
A curfew will be in place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily until further notice. However, please limit travel throughout the island as much as possible to allow crews to expedite clean up.
While at your home or business:
– Do not use the water. The sewer system could back up into your property
– Consider shutting off water when you leave the island.
“Thank you to our Sanibel community for working together through the evacuation process and for helping each other stay safe through this storm,” the city said. “We also greatly appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to ensure everyone returns to their properties safely.”
CAPTIVA
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office reported that with the causeway reopening, the Blind Pass Bridge to Captiva will remain closed. Crews are working tirelessly to repair the bridge. There was no ETA yet on when Blind Pass will reopen.
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ORIGINAL (Oct. 10, 2024):
City provides live post-storm update
At 12:30 p.m. today during a Facebook Live, city of Sanibel Mayor Richard Johnson and Deputy City Manager Steve Chaipel provided the following post-Hurricane Milton updates:
– Access to the island is limited to first responders and essential personnel only at this time.
– Access has been limited because the city’s wastewater sewer system, including the potable water system, is nonfunctional. The plant is running, but the transmission lines are inoperable due to no power.
– There is no power. LCEC reported that about 7,200 customers on Sanibel and Captiva were without power as of this morning, which is most of the islands. LCEC is working on restoring power, but it was waiting on a replacement part for the substation transmission lines that go to the island.
– There is no internet service.
– The precautionary boil water notice remains in effect for Sanibel and Captiva that the Island Water Association issued in advance of the storm.
– There is no substantial damage to the Sanibel Causeway.
– The island received an estimated 5 feet of storm surge on average and about 2-3 inches of rainfall, so most of the flooding was due to the surge. The city is waiting for the majority of the flood waters to recede, including along Sanibel-Captiva Road and Periwinkle Way, which still had 7-10 inches.
– Initial survey assessments of the island have been completed, and crews are clearing debris. There was some downed vegetation. There was some sand overwashing, including in the Blind Pass and Sanibel Lighthouse areas.
– When access to the island is reopened, the community is advised to be aware of downed powerlines and to not drive through standing water.
– The city’s phone lines are operational. For questions, call the main number at 239-472-3700.
– The city will continue to provide regular updates.
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ORIGINAL (Oct. 10, 2024):
UPDATE: City to provide live post-storm update
The city of Sanibel reported that it will provide a live post-Hurricane Milton update today at 12:30 p.m. on its Facebook page.
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ORIGINAL (Oct. 10, 2024):
City provides post-storm update
At 8 a.m. today, the city of Sanibel provided the following post-storm update on Hurricane Milton:
First responders and city crews are mobilized and have returned to the island to assess the safety of island. First reports from crews on the island indicate that there is substantial water over roadways in excess of 3 feet in some areas.
The 24-hour curfew is still in place and it is imperative that those who chose to remain on the island continue to shelter in place. It will take time for the water to recede and for crews to clear roadways to make the island safe for travel.
Only first responders and essential personnel may access the island at this time. Please do not attempt to access the Sanibel Causeway. You will be turned away by law enforcement. There is no need to line up at the entrance to the Sanibel Causeway as it will likely be some time before the island is safe for residents and businesses to return.
Thanks to everyone for working together through the evacuation process and for helping each other stay safe. We appreciate your patience as we work to prepare the island for everyone’s return.
Re-entry information will be provided through city news releases and on the city’s website and Facebook page.
Sanibel City Hall and the Sanibel Recreation Center will be closed through Friday.
The city is currently under a 24-hour a day curfew that will be in effect until further notice.
The city will continue to issue regular updates.
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ORIGINAL (Oct. 9, 2024):
UPDATE: City provides storm update
At 7 p.m. today, the city of Sanibel provided the following update on Hurricane Milton:
Please shelter in place. The hurricane is very close to the coast and strong winds, heavy rain, and storm surge are impacting Sanibel and the Lee County coast. Roads on Sanibel are currently being impacted by storm surge and are unsafe for travel.
When the storm has passed, and it is safe to do so, first responders will return to Sanibel and assess the safety of island. Once it has been determined that the island is safe for people to return, re-entry information will be provided through city news releases and on the city’s website at https://www.mysanibel.com/ and its Facebook page.
Sanibel City Hall and the Sanibel Recreation Center will be closed through Friday.
The city is currently under a 24-hour a day curfew that will be in effect until further notice.
The city will continue to issue regular updates on Milton as new information is received.
Please continue to monitor city news releases, the National Weather Service, and reports from local meteorologists. Also, if you have not yet registered to receive notifications from Alert Lee register at https://alertlee.com/.
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ORIGINAL (Oct. 9, 2024):
City, island officials provide storm update
At 10:15 a.m. today, Oct. 9, city and island officials gave an update on Hurricane Milton.
Sanibel City Manager Dana Souza reported that as of 7 a.m., the storm was 300 miles southwest of Tampa. The wind field, which is expected to expand once Milton makes landfall, was about 30 miles across for hurricane force winds and about 125 miles for tropical storm force winds.
“Tropical force winds should arrive on Sanibel at about 2 p.m. Mostly on Sanibel, we expect to see tropical storm force winds,” he said, adding that the chance for hurricane force winds is 11-12%.
“That’s sustained winds,” Souza added.
Rainfall expectations have increased to 6-12 inches.
Souza reiterated that yesterday’s update from the National Hurricane Center predicted 8-12 feet of storm surge for Lee County — as experienced in Hurricane Ian and the island’s primary concern.
“That storm surge will peak this evening and early tomorrow morning,” he said.
Souza reported that Lee County shelters are still accepting people.
“Our primary purpose here today is to just to ask you to evacuate,” he said. “So many residents have taken that advice and left the island, but there’s still some residents who remain here on Sanibel.”
Sanibel Police Department Deputy Chief Anthony Thompson, who is serving as acting chief for the time being, reiterated that the city is under a mandatory evacuation with a 24-hour curfew in place.
“It is crucial that everyone understands the seriousness of this situation,” he said. “These measures are in place for your safety.”
Sanibel Fire and Rescue District Fire Chief Kevin Barbot reported that areas are already flooding.
“The island is extremely saturated. Areas that normally flood during heavy rainstorms are already underwater by a few inches,” he said, citing Dixie Beach Boulevard, Bailey Road and West Gulf Drive past Rabbit Road. “Currently Blind Pass is OK, the causeway is OK, but the conditions are going to deteriorate.”
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ORIGINAL (Oct. 8, 2024):
City: Potential for surge of up to 12 feet now
(Editor’s note: Since the city’s update, Hurricane Milton has strengthen again to a Category 5, according to the National Hurricane Center.)
At 5:15 p.m. today, Oct. 8, city and island officials gave an update on Hurricane Milton.
Sanibel City Manager Dana Souza reported that the storm remains a Category 4 with 150 mph sustained winds. The predicted rainfall for the island is 4-8 inches, with 60-70 mph sustained winds.
“It’s important for all of you to continue to monitor the storm and follow the track over the next 24-36 hours. Slight shifts in direction are critically important to us,” he said, noting that Hurricanes Ian and Charley made right turn movements at the last minute and affected the community.
Souza continued that Milton is expected to make landfall near or north of Sanibel early Thursday morning. The predicted storm surge was 6-10 feet. However, he heard from Lee County Emergency Management’s director about the 5 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center on the storm.
“(It) shows that the storm has taken a slight bump to the south and that Sanibel is now expected to potentially see a storm surge of up to 12 feet,” Souza said. “We know from Hurricane Ian how significantly a storm surge of 12 feet is.”
He reported that the city has completed its storm preparations.
“I hope that residents and business owners have done the same,” Souza said, extending his thanks to the island’s residents, business owners and nonprofit organizations for preparing and evacuating.
“For those who have not evacuated Sanibel yet, I urge you to do so soon,” he added.
Souza reiterated that the mayor’s proclamation orders a mandatory evacuation for Sanibel and that Lee County has issued mandatory evacuations for Sanibel and all areas located in Zones A and B.
“Please heed these warnings. Leave now,” he said. “All of the barrier islands are vulnerable to this storm surge.”
Sanibel Police Department Deputy Chief Anthony Thompson, who is serving as acting chief for the time being, reported that many residents have already evacuated or are in the process of doing so.
He reminded the island that a city curfew will go into effect.
“The curfew will be in place on Sanibel starting at 10 p.m. and it will continue until further notice,” Thompson said, adding that it prohibits any vehicular or pedestrian movement within the city’s limits, except for emergency services, utilities and city personnel who have been authorized by the city.
“We will strictly enforce the curfew,” he said.
Thompson reported that checkpoints will be set up near the Sanibel Causeway toll facilities to check traffic entering the island and on the causeway road to check traffic exiting the island. In addition, officers will be dispatched throughout Sanibel stopping vehicles and those in violation of the curfew.
“The curfew is in place to protect our residents, their homes and our businesses,” he said. “There is no reason for anyone to be on a barrier island at this time.”
Thompson noted that emergency services and responses will stop at 45 mph sustained winds.
“We will not be able to get to you,” he said.
“Please be safe, be vigilant, monitor the storm and, most importantly, adhere to the evacuation and curfew orders,” Thompson added. “Your cooperation is crucial in ensuring our collective safety.”
Sanibel Fire and Rescue District Fire Chief Kevin Barbot reported that the district is finishing its operations in preparation for Milton. After it has passed, the district will shift to search and rescue.
“This is a very big storm, with the potential of having a devastating impact to our island,” he said.
Barbot noted that the district will also suspended services at 45 mph sustained winds.
“That means we will not respond to help you,” he said. “You will be left alone, and you will not be taken care of.”
Barbot pointed to the potential for 12 feet of surge.
“That is going to be devastating to our island should we actually see a 12-foot storm surge,” he said. “It is not safe for our crews to respond, even when winds have calmed below 45 mph.”
Barbot encouraged those still left to gather their belongings and leave until the island is safe.
“Please leave the island at 10 p.m.,” he said.
Souza reported that the city will continue to issue updates.
“Our message today is not to scare you. It’s to prepare you for a scary storm that is coming our way,” he said. “So if you haven’t evacuated Sanibel, please do so now. I want to see all of you on the other side of this storm safe and sound in just a few days.”
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ORIGINAL (Oct. 8, 2024):
City to provide storm update via Facebook Live
The city of Sanibel reported that City Manager Dana Souza will provide a live update on Hurricane Milton today, Oct. 8, at 5:15 p.m. on the city’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068081412480.
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ORIGINAL (Oct. 8, 2024):
SPD extends hours for re-entry permits
The city of Sanibel reported that the Sanibel Police Department has extended the hours for residents and businesses to pick up hurricane re-entry permits from noon until 4 p.m. today, Oct. 8.
The city noted that a government issued photo ID with a Sanibel or Captiva address, or a utility or property bill with your name and a government issued photo ID, may be used at the checkpoint to gain access to the islands once residential and commercial access is allowed following the storm.
The Sanibel Police Department is at 800 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.