Sanibel's worst storm since 1926, Ian blew in with winds of over 130 miles per hour and a surge of up to 12 feet. Giant power poles snapped like toothpicks, buildings were inundated, and parts of the causeway bridge washed out, cutting off car traffic to the island.

Sanibel Island, a sanctuary island on Florida’s Gulf Coast, faced catastrophic devastation primarily from Hurricane Ian in September 2022. The storm brought a record-breaking storm surge of over 10 feet and winds exceeding 150 mph, which leveled historic buildings, destroyed the island's lush tropical canopy, and severely damaged the Sanibel Causeway—the only bridge connecting the island to the mainland. The breach of the causeway effectively "stranded" the island, making immediate rescue and recovery efforts nearly impossible by land. In the years following, the island has undergone a monumental "rebirth," but the devastation fundamentally changed the landscape. Thousands of Australian pines and native mangroves were lost, and many "Old Florida" cottages were replaced by modern, storm-resistant structures. By 2026, while the tourism industry has largely recovered, the emotional and ecological scars of the storm remain a defining chapter in the island's history, leading to stricter building codes and enhanced coastal resiliency projects.