Sanibel Island

A consortium of businesses and nonprofit wants to spark conversations on how to rebuild the barrier islands so structures and people can become more resilient for future storms.

Some shops and restaurants have cleaned up and reopened, but others along the beaches will take longer to rebuild and open again.

All species of sea turtles are threatened or endangered and protected by Florida law and the federal Endangered Species Act.

A memento in the shape of a inscribed memorial rock, brought to Sanibel Island and thought to have been tossed away by Ian, instead found its way back to the family of the person memorialized.

Two days ahead of the expected finish date, repairs on the Sanibel Causeway, broken in multiple places three weeks ago by Hurricane Ian, are completed enough to allow residents and island businesses access.

With Sanibel’s causeway bridge still out of commission from damage during Hurricane Ian, many islanders in Southwest Florida scrambled to secure transport by boat this weekend, the first time they were allowed home.

The small island of 6,000 off the coast of southwest Florida is known for its largely untouched landscapes and superior shelling. It remains severed from the mainland with the collapse of its causeway – the only way vehicles can go on or off the island.

Crews from 30 states have converged on Southwest Florida to restore power after Hurricane Ian devastated the area. The work is precise and dangerous.

A notice issued from the city of Sanibel quoted a memo from the office of Gov. DeSantis: "It is anticipated to have the Sanibel Causeway accessible by the end of October. Once immediate recovery efforts have subsided, permanent long-term repairs will be made to the causeway."

As evacuation efforts begin on Sanibel and Captiva Island, residents are being transported by boat to areas like the Port Sanibel Marina. Hurricane Ian evacuees share their experiences immediately after stepping onto the mainland.

Building on the islands and holding them in place with beach replenishment programs just makes them more vulnerable to destruction because they can no longer move, according to experts.

It is currently unknown how many people remain stranded on the islands in the wake of the near-Category 5 Hurricane Ian.