Did anyone stay on Sanibel Island Hurricane Ian?

On Thursday evening, Sanibel officials said that 200 households reported staying on the island during the storm. Two people were confirmed dead, 14 medically evacuated and another 40 rescued without injury on Thursday.



Yes, a small number of residents did stay on Sanibel Island during Hurricane Ian in September 2022, despite the mandatory evacuation orders. Survivors described a harrowing experience as the storm surge, which reached up to 12–15 feet, completely inundated the ground floors of almost every structure. Those who stayed had to retreat to second stories or even attics; some reported having to swim between houses or cling to trees as the current from the Gulf of Mexico swept across the island. The destruction of the Sanibel Causeway during the storm meant these survivors were completely cut off from the mainland until the Coast Guard and Urban Search and Rescue teams arrived via helicopter and boat the following day. By 2026, the island has made a significant recovery, but the stories of those who stayed remain a sobering reminder of the power of storm surges, as many of those survivors lost every possession they owned and faced life-threatening conditions for over 12 hours.

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Note that Sanibel Island sustained significant damage in September 2022 as a result of Hurricane Ian. Though the island is open to the public as of January 2023, local officials are warning visitors that much of the island's attractions and businesses remain closed.

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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.

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Monday morning marked another reopening after Hurricane Ian. Sanibel Island is now open to anyone who wants to visit. The reopening comes just a day after the tolls on the Sanibel Causeway were reinstated. Sanibel's recovery progress includes 80% of right-of-way debris being removed from the East Periwinkle Way bridge.

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Located about 3 miles off the coast of Fort Myers, Sanibel Island and Captiva Island, Florida is the perfect getaway vacation destination. Whether it's a family vacation, romantic adventure or an escape to the beautiful beaches, there's no other place to escape to than Sanibel and Captiva Islands.

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By TIFFANY REPECKI - | Oct 2, 2023. It has been one year since Hurricane Ian brought the islands to a halt with its devastating damage and the recovery of the Sanibel-Captiva business community has been a slow one — but it is returning.

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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.

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The FEMA 50% rule is a minimum requirement for participation in the NFIP. It limits the cost of improvements (additions, alterations, and/or repairs) to non-conforming structures to less than 50% of the “market value” of structure prior to the start of work.

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The FEMA 50% rule is a minimum requirement for participation in the NFIP. It limits the cost of improvements (additions, alterations, and/or repairs) to non-conforming structures to less than 50% of the “market value” of structure prior to the start of work.

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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.

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Sanibel Causeway reopens for residents and businesses, with a permanent fix still in the works. An 11 a.m. opening of the rebuilt causeway that links the island and the mainland was announced by Gov. Ron DeSantis at a briefing at the base of the first bridge segment.

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