Did anyone not evacuate Sanibel Island?

About 200 households on Sanibel, which has a population of about 6,500, had not evacuated despite mandatory orders.



Yes, despite mandatory evacuation orders during Hurricane Ian in 2022, a small number of residents chose to stay on Sanibel Island. Estimates suggest that around 200 to 300 people remained on the island as the Category 4 storm hit. These individuals faced life-threatening conditions as the storm surge inundated the island and the Sanibel Causeway collapsed, cutting off the only road to the mainland. In the days following the storm, the U.S. Coast Guard and local emergency teams had to conduct massive helicopter and boat rescues to evacuate those who had stayed behind and were now trapped amidst the debris. In 2026, the local government uses this event as a critical case study to emphasize that "island life" offers no protection against modern storm surges and that evacuation is the only safe option.

People Also Ask

The City of Sanibel is excited to announce that all public access beach park locations in Sanibel are now open to the public. The city announced on Thursday that the following areas are set to open Friday, June 30: Bayside parking lot at 110 – 153 Periwinkle Way for Lighthouse Beach Park.

MORE DETAILS

Aerial photos and video of Sanibel show that The Bubble Room appears intact. Without seeing ground-level photos, it's tough to determine the extent of damage to the colorful restaurant for locals and tourists, some referring to it as the Beloved Bubble. The Bubble Room still stands!

MORE DETAILS

Nearly four months after the storm, the remains of James Hurst were found aboard his sunken sailboat in Fort Myers Beach. The discovery came days after the remains of another missing victim were identified.

MORE DETAILS

The Sanibel Causeway that once welcomed residents and visitors to the island was also partially destroyed. With no access to the island, residents were left wondering what remained of their properties and hometown. An aerial picture taken on September 30, 2022 shows the collapsed Sanibel Causeway.

MORE DETAILS

Although the islands remain sundered, things are a bit quieter now. Today the southern island, still known as Captiva, is a beautiful and pricey tourist destination reachable by car over a causeway from the mainland near Fort Myers.

MORE DETAILS

By consensus, the Sanibel City Council supported the decision to end the requirement for reentry passes on January 2, 2023. The City of Sanibel asks that non-residents respect and understand the fact that Sanibel is still actively working to recover from Hurricane Ian.

MORE DETAILS

The good news is several of the island's establishments – stores, restaurants, and resorts – have reopened. Longtime island favorites 'Tween Waters Island Resort and The Mucky Duck are open. Andy Rosse Lane Beach and Alison Hagerup Beach Park are open as well, with parking payable via the ParkMobile App.

MORE DETAILS

At least 13 beaches in the Fort Myers, Sanibel and Captiva area are already open, and two more parts of Fort Myers Beach are expected to open this month, Bowditch Point Park and Crescent Beach Family Park. We're getting there, Visit Florida CEO Dana Young said about the area's recovery.

MORE DETAILS

By Staff | Jan 3, 2023 The Sanibel Causeway reopened Monday but the city of Sanibel government is asking non-residents to wait a while longer before visiting the storm-damaged island.

MORE DETAILS