Thousands of structures in the community were reduced to rubble, trees and vegetation were wiped out, and power lines were downed. Much of the furniture and appliances in homes became destroyed and unusable, creating piles of trash on the roads to be taken to the landfill.

Sanibel Island suffered catastrophic damage from Hurricane Ian in September 2022, but by February 2026, it has made a remarkable recovery. The storm surge, which reached over 10 feet in some areas, completely severed the Sanibel Causeway and destroyed hundreds of historic structures and ground-level homes. While the "natural" landscape (the beaches and shells) recovered quickly, many iconic landmarks like the Sanibel Lighthouse required extensive restoration, and the surrounding lighthouse dwellings were lost forever. In 2026, the island is nearing its "new normal." The causeway has been permanently rebuilt with enhanced storm-resilient features, and major resorts like the Sanibel Island Beach Resort have reopened with fully modernized interiors. However, some changes are permanent; for instance, the island's only Dairy Queen closed for good. While the physical scars are fading, the 2026 visitor will notice a more "modern" aesthetic as new, elevated buildings replace the older, ground-level structures that could not withstand the 2022 surge.