Heartbreaking! Hurricane Ian leaves Sanibel Island covered in damage and debris.

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Heartbreaking! Hurricane Ian leaves Sanibel Island covered in damage and debris.
On September 28th, 2022, Hurricane Ian made landfall in Southwest Florida as a Category 4 storm.
The storm generated winds of up to 150 MPH and storm surge levels between 12 and 18 feet. Almost the entire island of Sanibel was covered in multiple feet of water.
Parts of the Sanibel Causeway (the only road that connects the island with the mainland) were washed away by the storm surge.
In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Sanibel Island was only accessible by boat.
100 crews worked around the clock to repair the causeway. Workers used 8,200 loads of fill dirt, 2,400 loads of rock, and 4,000 tons of asphalt. Emergency repairs to the Sanibel Causeway were completed in an unprecedented 15 days and recovery crews were granted access to the island. 21 days after Hurricane Ian, residents and business owners were allowed to utilize the repaired causeway to access Sanibel.
This video was created to document what Sanibel Island looked like in the days immediately after the Sanibel Causeway reopened after Hurricane Ian.
These video clips and photos were taken between Sanibel Causeway, Periwinkle Way, and West Gulf Drive.
This video is a Sanibel Barometer / Barometer Media production. See more like this on sanibelbarometer.com
Video and photography: Eric J. Taubert, taubertgallery.com

[@davidzellers3537]

I just left Sanibel Island,Fort Myers Beach,Fort Myers,Cape Coral, Pine island, Bonita Springs and Naples. I worked 23 days strait and Hurricane Ian caused the worst destruction Ive seen from and storm. Seeing all the loss was mind blowing and I’ve worked many Hurricanes. We were able to access Sanibel as soon as they opened the bridge up for emergency workers and there were many roads that we had to remove trees, parts of houses, golf carts, appliances, boats, etc just so we could get down. My thoughts and prayers go out to all residents of the areas for the clean up and repairs will take years complete!

[@leeteplitz7673]

Change is always good! Let the rich rebuild so we can sit back and laugh when it happens again, you can’t fix stupid!

[@Lumalnatti11]

@@leeteplitz7673 the rich do not exist- everyone is impoverished one way or the other.

[@einerreklov4304]

I'm sure the residents of the west coast appreciate the hours you, and other dedicated people like you, provided for their community.

[@einerreklov4304]

@@leeteplitz7673 Know this: Change for the sake of change is essentially useless. Stability provides a firm foundation that doesn't exist with child-like chaotic and senseless change. As for the residents in these homes that became overpriced during the 2000 housing crash - most of them worked hard and saved for their piece of paradise their entire lives - and the people who lived in their little trailers, well, I can't write here what you can do with your thoughtless comment.

[@jndking9419]

@@leeteplitz7673 you’re a joke, you haven’t a clue what these people were like. I’ve spent countless hours here and did not own a home here. You senseless piece of crap!

[@peacedujour]

I lived and worked on Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach during the 80's for several years. These pictures break my heart. Thank you for sharing. My heart goes out to all the people who lost their homes and livelihood.

[@BarometerMediaVideo]

Thanks for watching - and for the kindness.

[@WeggieQueen2005]

I spent every summer on Marco Island for about 25 years. Then I moved down 22 years ago. I have frequented these places all through the years and it kills me seeing it like this. Poor Sanibel, FMB, Cape Coral and everywhere else people felt the effects. It's just so sad that so many lost everything and because homeowner"s insurance and flood insurance is too expensive, many will have no help rebuilding or even moving. It's heartbreaking.

[@referencefool6525]

🌪🌊🏝How Coastal Erosion Works kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGGbmneDjb6niJo

[@gilloera8912]

Prayers go out to people and pets who lost their lives!

[@marantz7783]

good job showing close-ups of the damage we love Sanibel , lived there off and on for over 40 years know a few of the fallen-- this is a tragedy on a off the charts scale- 1 month later-still crying- Pray for Sanibel and Fort Myers beach-ty

[@BarometerMediaVideo]

Thanks for watching - and for your prayers...

[@crobinson1479]

We visit this paradise every summer. So heartbreaking for the residents and island workers there. Thanks to all the road crews who miraculously rebuilt the bridge. God bless the Sanibel residents and utility workers. It will be back, I'm sure.

[@michaeljakubson2494]

vacation spot for years. last year my parents rented the house on the corner of west gulf and rabbit rd. love it there!!!! its paradise!!!!!! spent 6 of last 7 years on the island. sanibel fish house my favorite place to eat! praying for the island!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@crivitzguy5017]

So sad to see. Words can't describe our heartbreak and our thoughts and prayers go out to all on Sanibel and Captiva. Thanks for sharing this video. Be safe and be well.

[@pakalahoria]

Even the video cant explain the magnitude of disaster the beautiful island of Sanibel went thru. The land will remain the same but sweet memories will fade away of this beautiful place in Florida.

[@diannleich6009]

This is just heartbreaking. The people that lost their lives, the animals that lost their lives, it’s just devastating. We vacation there many many years. We have wonderful memories of the island. Hope to be back someday. Thank you for the video as we’ve been so curious and wondering how everyone’s doing.

[@littlehummingbird1015]

MY wonderful memories of the island were from the 1950's....when only sand and the gulf were there.....We entered the island by a little wooden bridge.....and we could drive right out onto the beach and have our picnic. If the island hadn't been overun with development, none of the lives lost would have tragically happened and this mess wouldn't even be there today.

[@kbanghart]

@@littlehummingbird1015 LOL you sound like you're blaming the victims. This kind of thing happens to people no matter where they live.

[@littlehummingbird1015]

@@kbanghart Not like this it doesn't. Maybe in 3rd world countries, but not here.

[@kbanghart]

@@littlehummingbird1015 what are you talking about? Are you trying to say that natural disasters only occur in third world countries?

[@quitingyoutube3291]

@@littlehummingbird1015 and this is why I don’t read comments

[@deborahdukes6096]

In 2013 my hometown of Washington, Illinois got decimated by a F4 tornado that destroyed over 1,000 homes right down to their foundation. The winds were 190 miles per hour… it was so bad you didn’t even recognize where you were walking around because everything in the path of that tornado was just GONE. Recently, I was just back there visiting my brother in late August and the town looks great. All the trees and flowers are lush again and houses rebuilt. You would never know walking around that less than 10 years ago it looked like a nuclear bomb had been dropped on it. Comparing the damage on Sanibel versus Washington, Illinois it looked to me that Sanibel’s structures fared a little better and so did their trees and foliage. Don’t lose hope, Sanibel residents ! You guys will bounce back and your island will be beautiful again. And with how fast plants grow in Florida, that lushness will return. I love Sanibel Island….been visiting there since I was a kid in the 80’s and was just there for a week in July of 2020. God bless you all, you will come back better and stronger than ever 🙏❤️🌴

[@BarometerMediaVideo]

Thank you for sharing your story - and your message of hope!

[@Blane_be_fishin]

It’ll definitely be back to being beautiful. It’ll just be awhile. Luckily most of the buildings on sanibel are built to withstand a strong hurricanes winds. A lot of the them look okay on the outside but the insides are all gutted and molded on the inside from all the storm surge. Just empty shells basically. A lot of the structures on fort Myers beach were not built up to code and a lot of those buildings were swept away or flattened. Similar to that of and ef-5 tornado when you look at it. But again things can be rebuilt. Many lives cannot though.

[@BarometerMediaVideo]

@@Blane_be_fishin True.

[@paulsuprono7225]

Global Warming is to eventuate this phenom . . Should give one second thoughts on investigating whether it's wise, to plan, revise, rebuild for fiture investment in this environment ! 😬🇺🇸💀

[@LilyWillow22]

It seems to me the salt water will affect the foliage in a deep way....

[@dearme4255]

Mind boggling all the destruction. Great video to capture and give us a view on what individuals are facing to rebuild. Thank you for all that you do.

[@sylviacuesta1086]

😢

[@joeyl.rowland4153]

Fort Myers Beach is just shredded. It will never be the same. It was an awesome amount of energy unleashed on the barrier islands. None of them did well. Pine Island is toast as well. This storm hurt a lot of people. NO ONE needs to forget that Arcadia as well suffered a secret flood with peace river.

[@BarometerMediaVideo]

The landscape of SWFL will certainly have lasting changes due to Ian.

[@ralphholiman7401]

After going through Katrina I can tell you that one, it will get built back and, two, it won't look a whole lot like it did before. Changed building and FEMA codes will see to that. Not to mention, a lot of people won't be able to afford the new insurance rates which will come,, so you're going to see a lot less small houses and a whole bunch more mansions of the people who can afford the insurance. At least that's the way it turned out here.

[@joeyl.rowland4153]

@@ralphholiman7401 I can promise that is the way it will be. It is already moving in that direction. You are spot on when your telling how the future is going to play out.

[@MissKitty944]

I agree. Please do a video on beautiful old Arcadia. The forgotten flood.

[@referencefool6525]

🌫❄⛈ 🔥🌀🌊 🚱♨🌪

[@narcissistninjas9233]

The whole island....😢My heart is with the sanctuary where all the animals died 💔 and noone is speaking of!!!! Agree it should go back to nature but the rich won't allow that. They don't listen to the wind.

[@emmal3369]

Thank you so much for getting this footage. I've been visiting sanibel for 20 years with my family and this is just heartbreaking to see. So glad to see all of the disaster relief teams at work here.

[@terrydial290]

Visited this beautiful place on an annual basis. So green and clean. Is very sad to see the destruction. Obviously it will be years to fully recover but will never again be the same

[@ETHANWXCHASING]

This is an insane level of devastation. I remember vacationing here lots of times when I was young, it was a very lush and pretty place before Hurricane Ian. It's really mind boggling how devastated it still is a month after the storm. It doesn't even look like Sanibel anymore, more like Mariupol or some bombed out city in Ukraine.

[@stoniemalowneee7572]

I've been doing disaster relief for about 8 yrs now and I have never seen anything like this before. I wish everyone the best and I thank my hard working men and women along side me to help provide any relief we can down here.

[@fourlittlebirds6166]

Thank you for all your hard work!!

[@dpro5500]

God Bless You & all who are helping down there🙌🏻

[@bettydoughtery3920]

Nothing is recognizable. Loved Sanibel. Horrifying to see. Praying for all.

[@anacleta424]

A lot of the families might not want to rebuild. Who would want to go thru another storm like these one.

[@davidmangold1838]

The amount of debris piled at the side of the roads on Sanibel, is mind boggling 😢. I am curious where it will be taken. Landfills newly created? I’d imagine existing landfills are full. Anything like metal appliances being recycled?

[@lisad6106]

Five years ago Hurricane Irma plowed through the Keys. The eye went right over my house. When I evacuated she was forecasted to turn before hitting the Keys. I prepared for wind but not storm surge as no storm surge warning had been issued. She did not turn and I watched everything I had get demolished from a radar screen far far away. Luckily enough of my home made it to recover but these images are very familiar. When you look at those piles of debris you see people's lives. All that waste was paid for at some point. Not only is it destroyed currency but hours and hours of life. However, now five years later, there's barely evidence left of Hurricane Irma. We live magical lives on a miraculous planet and those of us who choose to risk everything in union with the oceans understand that very well. Hang in there fellow islanders, draw your strength from nature herself and heal with her alongside. I look out my windows this morning and see so much life where there was once barely none. Some of you have been through this before and for some it's the first time but regardless, you are on a beautiful journey that enriches the soul in ways most are not fortunate enough to even imagine!

[@elizabethstaszak5282]

That, Miss Lisa, was incredibly beautiful ~ spoken from deep within your heart. ♥️…words to live by, thank you.

[@nanese7493]

My heart is broken! We have been dreaming of Sanibel for two decades at least and visited there almost every vacation. Countless hours spend on Zillow and other home sales websites trying to find the perfect home to move into. Something about this year in the back of my head kept saying it can't be this year, not now. I was frustrated, but I'm still hopeful that we'll get to become Islanders on sanibel one day. P.S. thanks for labeling all of the locations. It's like old friends that are hurting.

[@BarometerMediaVideo]

It may take a little time, but Sanibel will bounce back. The progress being made daily is inspiring!

[@Roonasaur]

And yeah, those trees are stripped bare, but they're still standing. They'll be bach.

[@WeggieQueen2005]

I promise you, give them 18 months, and you'll never realize Ian shot through there. BUT, it will be the non touristy areas that will still be suffering, Still having no help from the state or federal. Those are the sad stories. The tourist traps will be fine.

[@hoosierlady9500]

There is going yo be so many abandoned properties and homes where ppl just do not return .Now may be your chance but beware the deep state wants to rewild this area and you'll be forever dealing w hurricanes trust me I've fixed many a home after storms. It's so sad.

[@jacquelineking1770]

It could happen again w climate change as it is..would that be Wise? Please 🙏 be careful and choose not to live near coastal towns..think..just sayin..God Bless yall..

[@timboc105]

Mother Nature's Beautifulication

[@passingthroughtime3033]

My parents took us to Sanibel island in 1975. I remember it being like a little paradise with lots of palm trees, wildlife and seashells. We loved it. Never went back and now never will.

[@BarometerMediaVideo]

There are still lots of palm trees, plenty of wildlife, and amazing shells. It will take time, but the island homes and businesses will bounce back. We're tough down here :-)

[@lauriej9418]

So sad to see this. So much lost . So sorry for all the people's losses. I hope that they can cope with this.

[@BarometerMediaVideo]

Thanks for the sentiments...

[@user-ho3dk4pg8y]

15 days?! That is incredible! Just about made me cry.

[@annabrahamson4320]

People there have money, Shane only wealthy places get restored quickly.

[@jolofreebird3475]

@@annabrahamson4320 , that had nothing to do with it. I’m here, Our Governor was quik to get help to fix not only Sanibel Bridge but other bridges to our barrier islands up and down this way. People in wealthier areas are still waiting for things to be done. 🤦🏻‍♀️.

[@marantz7783]

lived & worked on Sanibel in the early 80's-- everyday, a cruise through ding darling-- wont come back in 50 years ++ the loveliest place in Florida is nada

[@racsaman2]

Couldn't agree more. They obviously drove the tree huggers out and put housing everywhere. Shame but it's always about $$$,

[@denisefignar6995]

Saddened to see this devastated beautiful island disappeare😢

[@Hurricane0721]

I think that this hurricane will drastically change the future on islands like Sanibel Island. Many of the counties impacted by Hurricane Ian in Southwest Florida are talking about passing new zoning laws for all new buildings where the lowest occupied floor must be at least 20 feet above sea level in all storm surge zones. In principle that’s a wise law that I would strongly agree with and support. However, pragmatically speaking such a law will be a massive expense to new building construction. In a low-lying region like Southwest Florida constructing a building to be a minimum of 20 feet above sea level is going to be a massive cost in construction. Even many wealthy families will not be able to afford the costs of constructing a home to be a minimum of 20 feet above sea level in many areas of Sanibel Island.

[@littlehummingbird1015]

Good. Maybe the people will never come back and the island can revert to it's orignal paradise ...natural and quiet and beautiful. Of course all the buildings would have to be bulldozed.

[@SILSAL67]

That is still the reality of what the area needs as far as future building in the area. It's madness to build the same kind of structures over and over again and watch them get destroyed. Perhaps LESS well built homes and businesses is just what is needed on these barrier islands. Then, the spaces left should have native trees and plants placed on them to help with surviving future storms.

[@23tbob]

Bob in Michigan My daughter lives north about 40 miles -- in Englewood -- and there was quite a bit of damage up there. She said just about everybody has some damage -- mostly roof damage. And she says that everybody is sort of shell-shocked at the whole situation. But this is total wipeout -- and thousands of people have lost everything -- so what do you do ??? I can't even imagine...

[@timchrysler1202]

Thank you so much for doing the video. We were on Sanibel in April and cannot fathom the loss. You helped me confirm that some friends in Lake Murex are lost their home.

[@terryhunter2526]

When you live in Florida this kind of thing just goes with the territory

[@KarensKaraoke1]

My heart goes out to everyone who's been affected by this disaster. So much clean up and removal. I seen a lot of things that could be saved instead of a landfill. God be with you all

[@sidefx996]

Yeah but we live in a throwaway society and insurance is going to pay for new so no one wants to "fix" or "save" anything. Besides it's all worse than it looks salt water destroys everything.

[@elizabethstaszak5282]

It’s my understanding that although it may look salvageable, the mold just takes over. Remember, there’s no air-conditioning, so nothing can dry. It’s unimaginably sad. 😪

[@robertgembala8532]

Heartbreaking ❤️🙏

[@cathyyoder9212]

My Son has been away working with Beeghley tree on Sanibel cleaning up since the beginning. I got to see the trucks twice. It helps to get a feel for what he is seeing and living within every day. I try to keep it positive that he is helping those residence to try and salvage and return life back to some kind of normal. It will be a long time but you've got to start somewhere

[@thomasfranco5997]

I pray every day for the people of Fort Myers beach and all the close-knit communities. I especially pray for the Retirees and the elderly. They need the help the most especially when you hear them say I may have to go back to work. So, Sad!! It is going to take a long time to Rebuild. Keep your faith and strength. Amen!!

[@donnasanti8336]

I’ve visited Sanibel for 20 years, such devastation to a beautiful island. Thank you for this video.

[@3p47L]

I had visited here back in 2006 and stayed at Blue Dolphin cottages. I wonder what it looks like now. This was a very beautiful island and it really saddens me to see the devastation there and how much people have lost.

[@sharongauss9298]

Where are they going to dump all this debris?

[@sandbabe2245]

I hear that the rubbish gets buried in a land fill

[@judycoyne7818]

Sanibel will make a comeback but from what I’ve read increased building codes will also bring increased costs; that means only those who have the resources will be able to afford to build there!! Every structure will be on stilts, hurricane approved windows and metal roofs!! Doubt we will see any siding on exterior walls unless it’s over concrete!! Bottom line anyone who can’t afford the changes won’t be able to rebuild, very sad for them!🥵😢😱

[@nancydoran6113]

So sad, it brings tears to my eyes.

[@steveferguson698]

Thank you for this video. This news stories on TV are brief. And as time goes on the mainstream media loses interest. But these continued videos on KZbin keep us ( I'm in Michigan) in touch. It's impossible to imagine the fury of nature unless you experience it first hand. And amazing how people pull together to rebuild after her.

[@Val-ek4yx]

Thank you for sharing this it's so heartbreaking to see I love sanibel

[@nephi5059]

As someone who lived thru hurricane Andrew can I give some positive input. In six months clean up will be far along. The destroyed structure material seems already being pushed to curb. The roads are clear, being repaired or been repaired. FEMA should be bringing in hundreds or thousands of FEMA trainers to live in. Was young kid. You wonder where do I begin. My Dad would say, " just start somewhere or start in that corner". Currently the cities , county's, state are or have revised building codes. No future wood structures, very few or no mobile)modular homes, new construction must be CBS block. Roof structure construction much tougher. We did not lose our home. It was CBS construction. Roof damaged. Looked like that. Aftermath of nuke. Good luck. The longer it goes the better will look. Thousands of dump trucks. Miles long line at land fills. New mountains will emerge at trash in landfills. You have survived. Rebuilding will be for the strong physically and emotionally strong young and middle aged to handle now. March on. Preserve.

[@shaneanthony1278]

This is so sad that could have been Tampa those people lost everything Watching this brings tears to my eyes in more ways than you can Imagine

[@jamescran938]

ive visited for 17 years! same

[@AuntDi2]

I would love to see footage of Tropical Winds Cottages on Jamaica and Tahiti. My husband and I have vacationed there many times and got married on the beach there. 💞❤️‍🩹💞❤️‍🩹#SanibelStrong

[@raginfcktard8851]

People don't realize that this footage is probably a month afterwards. I was there and this looks like a Hilton compared to what it was when I got there. Those piles were two stories high and took weeks to get to this point.

[@elizabethstaszak5282]

Yup 😢 UNIMAGINABLE really.

[@danielharder8096]

This ride to Sanibel Island is breathtaking. Especially on a scoot or convertible. Fuckin devastating

[@doodlebeans2959]

We took a helicopter twice from Page Field to get over before the bridge. It cost as much as many boats were charging at the time. I can still smell it. 8 foot of water on the first floor. We dragged many things to the curb. All things. Anything metal rusted quickly in that ocean water. I didn’t get to go out in the streets because so much mitigation was necessary. Scraping mud for hours and tossing all broken and wet items outside. Knowing everyone else is doing the same. I didn’t expect a storm to affect me so much. Thank you for your tasteful drive through.

[@sassafraspaul7528]

I feel for those who couldn't leave and the natives more than people who have 2 & 3 homes. Some have permanent homes up north.

[@msammr33]

Sending my thoughts and prayers.

[@Automedon2]

The resilience of palm trees is astounding. Even with their small root balls they withstand winds that can take houses away.

[@judycoyne7818]

Hard to imagine the force of the winds powerful enough to carry refrigerators and other heavy appliances from inside to outside!!!

[@laural1165]

It was the force of the water

[@elizabethstaszak5282]

& those giant concrete blocks in the video! 😮

[@stevekeeling9700]

I’m out here now doing debris monitoring and I can tell you the devastation is incomprehensible!

[@otisharris4213]

It’s probably going to take a year to clean up Prayers 🙏🏿 to all the families

[@myplaylist1ification]

This will all happen again. Maybe sooner than you think. It does not make sense to rebuild on a sandbar.

[@ronniecardy]

You're so right on

[@otisharris4213]

That makes a lot of sense

[@daren5666]

MARYLAND forbids building on our wonderful Barrier Island! Assateague Island is a State Seashore & National Park! It was formed by a hurricane in 1938! Only camping is permitted on our Barrier Island! Assateague Island is the home of the famous wild ponies! 🥰🤗🌊🌅🌊⛱️🌅🐬🐬🐬🐬⚓⛵⚓⛵⚓

[@annemariemeier-sollberger6854]

Heartbreaking....such a paradise lost.,

[@Cyberbronco]

Not sure what the motivation of the creator is with this video but there isn’t much explanation about what is shown. The piles of debris along the roadside seen here are from the incredible efforts of owners, contractors and FEMA. There is a brief window of time that FEMA will assist with roadside cleanup. Great effort is made to clear out all debris quickly so restoration can happen. That’s why you are seeing giant mounds along the roadsides all at once. Power has already been restored to large segments of the island. Greenery is already coming back. Sanibel has been covered with saltwater before. It will be back much sooner than you realize. This storm is sparking a lot of curiosity and emotion. Vacationers and owners love Sanibel and will insure its quick recovery and success.

[@BarometerMediaVideo]

The motivation, as specified in the video, is to document what this brief window of time after Hurricane Ian (and after the Causeway reopened to residents and business owners) actually looked like as it occurred. We have never seen conditions of this caliber and scale on Sanibel Island, including after Hurricane Charley. These moments are historically significant. Plus many people who are not currently allowed onto the island, but still love Sanibel as much as those of us who are allowed access to the island right now, are curious to see what it looks like.

[@elizabethstaszak5282]

@@BarometerMediaVideo100% and as hard as it is to watch, I thank you so much for it. ❤️‍🩹

[@alimcally279]

Do I see wooden electricity poles, and above ground! I live on the east coast of Florida. All our poles are cement and steel. Residential infrastructure is underground. Why are these little islands not like this.

[@BarometerMediaVideo]

A good percentage of the cement poles on the island snapped in half during this storm. Not enough of the new-style poles were immediately available right after the storm passed, so they are using temporary wooden poles just to get things running on the island again.

[@doloresm7396]

Sad. Two decades I vacationed on Sanibel/Captiva Islands, always stayed at Pointe Santo de Sanibel. So lovely. You best believe the Causeway was repaired in record time, no one on these islands would have tolerated a longer lead time for repair. Heads would have rolled otherwise. It wasn't record time it was how desperate our government was to keep that money on the island. Obviously, they have done back flips for the people of Sanibel and Captiva. Good for them! I watched the island flood that day via all the Sanibel cameras since it was something I have been doing weekly for many years. I screamed when I watched the puddle swallow Casa Ybel. Just hideous.

[@elizabethstaszak5282]

Oh my, I cannot imagine watching that in real time, I just can’t. 😔 We constantly watched Casa Ybel’s webcam through the years also. 💔

[@cw2256]

Sanibel was such a beautiful spot...destruction such as this clearly shows the vulnerability of these barrier islands which unfortunately will not change due to their location and the probability of more violent storms to come...those who will stay on and rebuild must face an uncertain future.

[@crankychris2]

I rode Andrew's eye, and was a first responder. My neighborhood was trashed, my house was uninhabitable. May God bless you as you slowly rebuild. 🥲🥲🥲

[@greenyonline]

Lived in southwest Florida for 10 years. This is so sad.

[@ellenfr3100]

I hope the people of Florida are given better help recovering than what happened to the victims who lost everything 10 years ago during Hurricane Sandy. Many in New Jersey could never rebuild, or recover from the destruction. Your Governor DeSantis was Congressman DeSantis at that time, and he and his Republican friends voted against helping the people in New Jersey and they were left on their own. So, I wouldn't hold your breath if you suffered a complete loss. Good Luck!

[@lindap.p.1337]

Sanibel and Captiva will recover. It may be slow but they will be back better than ever. They are beautiful places and I am so glad I have been there.

[@jdebell7068]

Will never be the same

[@Howrider65]

Where I live on the east coast 75 percent of the homes are up for sale, we got 2 storms in a row that was enough for some we have stuff in front of the house that has not been picked up yet. Unreal we are thinking of getting out of here also.

[@goucho3320]

91 cm above sea level! What do you think is going to happen next year and the years after that? I'm sorry to say, but! It's time to head to higher ground!

[@lullyoliva8602]

This is so sad….we have stayed many times at the white caps, it’s gone 😢😢 We are so small before the forces of nature. Thanks for the video 👍

[@lisaconverse5858]

My husband and I started to go to Sanibel Island on a regular basis and stay at Shalamar hotel and cottages in 2019. We stayed in one of the cottages in March of 2020. Because of the pandemic we didn’t get to go in 2021 or this year. We were going to go down for our 45th anniversary next March but hurricane Ian hit. 😢 I found out a couple weeks ago that Shalamar is totally gone! Nothing there…just thinking about that beautiful place makes me so sad.

[@darlenelong5562]

Lisa Converse same here….we haven’t been down to Sanibel since 2019😔 was hoping to go soon…now, I wish we would have went this past summer. Started going in 2008 and always stayed at Waterside Inn in the cottages.I’m told and what I’ve seen the cottages are it’s gone. I’ve cried since the first images of the island!!! The 2nd place we begin staying b/c whole family begin going is Beach view Cottages. The office and three bedroom suite over it we stayed in is standing but the cottages are gone.

[@elizabethstaszak5282]

@@darlenelong5562I knowwwww! As if we needed another reason to hate COVID, right?!?! 😑 ugh!

[@Lumalnatti11]

I have no idea how my name was changed by YT AI, but Sanibel Island looks like the blizzard of '79 in Chicago. Very sad. Sending my love and uplifting wishes to everyone devastated by this disaster.

[@allisoncompeaux3981]

The vegetation looks like it is destroyed by some kind of pesticide or nuclear bomb. This is so devastating, overwhelming.

[@harrybriscoe7948]

WWI

[@nicelys1]

The leaves are starting to bud out again , kind of strange.

[@BarometerMediaVideo]

@@nicelys1 True!

[@BarometerMediaVideo]

It looks very different. Ian changed the color of the entire landscape. Thankfully, the greens are already beginning to creep back in.

[@warningsigns4526]

it was nuc'd - Tesla technology - guess who has it? Veil of Invisibility 83 page report by Alexander R Putney will blow your mind - read it

[@ralphholiman7401]

I remember the giant piles of debris everywhere down here after Katrina. The good news is it all eventually gets hauled away. The bad news? It can take months for that to happen.

[@carlspag]

BarometerMedia: at Sanibel-Captiva Rd at Jamaica Drive there "was" a row of beach cottages called Tropical Winds. Is it still there?

[@TvPuertoVallarta]

Where is all the debris hauled off to?

[@daren2976]

Marylander here! Do you really think it is a good idea to rebuild on a Barrier Island? SERIOUSLY? Don't get me wrong My father once owned a house on Sanibel for 13 years! It was getting difficult for him to walk so I suggested he sell that house! He only went to Sanibel in the Winter months. Fortunately ,he sold his house in 2007 just before the bottom dropped out of the Real Estate market in Florida! During Hurricane Charley dad only lost 1 shingle. "Keep giving to the Little Sisters of the Poor "! I told him. "Someone up there is watching out for you! That said I think Maryland is smarter. We have a Barrier Island , Assateague Island / State Seashore & National park! Developers are not permitted to build in Maryland's Barrier Island. It was formed by the hurricane that crawled up the East Coast in 1938! Only camping is permitted on Assateague Island! It is also the home of he famous Chincoteague Island wild ponies! Maryland has many regulations but they are there for a good reason! Just saying! 🤔🤔🤔🤔⛱️🌅⛱️⚓⛵⚓🌊🐬🌊🐬🌊🐬🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀

[@eileenthomas856]

Any suggestions for shelling bags?

[@victorv.9018]

Yup!!! It's time to go and find a new rabbit hole... This one is buried, but will never be forgotten... Sad!

[@johnr7456]

I was working at a friends house on Limpet Drive 3 weeks ago.. rough

[@carollshaw1016]

🥲I am truly in mourning that this devastation has happened to this little piece of heaven we call Sanibel As far as I can remember back to my early childhood we went on the ferry until the old bridge was built and than the new bridge with the big toll $$$ I wonder if the Castaways is even still there so glad we took pictures and pictures and more pictures of all the vacations and I still have all my shells 🐚🐚🐚

[@marijolivitzky4336]

Some houses are still intact, but probably not livable anymore.

[@harrybriscoe7948]

Even if you dry them out There is salt in the wood All the nails and screws holding the house together get soaked in salt water for a few days until the house 100% dries out While the house gets moldy , the nails are rusting away

[@otisharris4213]

How many miles long is this island

[@Longenecker1776]

It looks 5x greener than it did 3 weeks ago….

[@BarometerMediaVideo]

True.

[@anacleta424]

I remember Florida houses used to have flat roofs I think because of the hurricanes.

[@rla1000]

Is this type of damage unusual for when a hurricane blows over a low island? I think someone said the average elevation there was three feet. And then another one hit just a month later.

[@yhird]

If I am buying or building a home on or near the beach in Florida, it has to be at least 15 feet above ground level. This is incredible destruction.

[@BarometerMediaVideo]

Hard to believe the water went as high as it did. It's just hard to wrap your head around the fact that the water was "over my head" deep in places I've walked on dry land a million times before...

[@yhird]

@@BarometerMediaVideo I live in the middle of the state near Lake Wales, and we had 17 inches of rain in the storm. The damage in Sanibel and Fort Myers is mindboggling. I have never seen storm damage like that in 25 years living here. Thank you for the great content. God Bless.

[@brandonking2679]

@@yhird I think it was due to the abnormally hotter summer and the Saharan dust.

[@yhird]

@@brandonking2679 The Saharan dust cloud has been suppressing tropical storm development this hurricane season. Ian formed far enough west that it escaped the effects of the dust cloud. I have not checked recently on the status of the dust over the Atlantic, but I see the same wind shear regions are still in place.

[@waitaminute2015]

These are "barrier" islands for a reason. Even if you build high enough, the ground underneath may have shifted and sea water corrosion of materials is still a problem. A barrier island should be visited with a light footprint. If not, you can only buy time with your fortress.

[@auburnjewels2]

When will people learn that outerbank islands are not for residential or commercial use? Smh.

[@bengazzara1324]

Yes it looks devastated, yes it is just heartbreaking. But what I can see is that most of the hurricane proof houses had relatively minor damages. Sorry to tell you this, but in my country, when there are several natural disasters in a row in the same area, we're not installing electrical poles anymore, they are underground lines. Most of the trash on the side of the road are caused from wind and water. There should be a city law that restricts all the new buildings to be much higher from the ground and can resist to high winds because it's gonna happen again. I hope not, but logically, it will happen again. The highest elevation of Sanibel Island is 36 inches and is in the path of most hurricanes. In the video I saw some really damaged cars, I hope that people have left anyway for their security ? Thanks for sharing this video and good luck for all residents. We'll be visiting you again !!!

[@jtalonrider4769]

Any videos of the light house? Our family always go there so sad to see

[@jtalonrider4769]

@@__Salty hard to find a videos of all that area, can any one drive on the island?

[@21paraflyer]

It’s still there!

[@sherrishedd8130]

It's reality..just like it will come back to the place we love even stronger..not the same hopefully better

[@darrell8167]

My life became a shambles when the government shut the country down during covid-19 I lost my job things were a mess for a long time and they still are then I couldn't get a job because I had become homeless I lost my place to stay I lost things I liked and loved these are the same people in the same type of people who laughed in my face when I lost everything I have no sympathy for the rich are those who are nothing but bigots but live in rundown trailer parks but think they're very special sorry but that's just the way I feel never judge a book by its cover you might miss out on a great story

[@patfarr5229]

We are approaching a year. Could you do another one same route as the recovery?

[@JudgeCrater22]

If only those mangrove trees could talk.

[@timboc105]

Yup like stay away humans ur a damn Nuisance!

[@Dragonfly657]

This is progress clean up

[@daren1294]

Maryland also has a Barrier Island. Assateague Island , home of the famous Chincoteague wild ponies! No development is allowed on Barrier Islands in Maryland! Assateague Island was formed by a hurricane in 1938! It is a Maryland State Seashore & a National Park! Only camping is permitted on Assateague Island! I spent 13 years visiting my father's second home on Sanibel Island. I convinced him to sell it in 2007! Thank God! Sorry Florida but I do agree with my state, MARYLAND! Barrier Islands should not be developed! They are there to protect the Mainland!

[@wegottafishdude]

Do you live on the island? Do you have work on the island if not get off the island.

[@AA-pf9dh]

The amount of debris is enormous and the disposal of the debris can potentially have an environmental impact on the specific site chosen for the area of the debris disposal. Not to mention the cost 💲 associated with the removal and disposal.

[@harrybriscoe7948]

Ship it all west and fill in New Orleans The goobers are still building below sea level there

[@jamescran938]

how long do you guys think it'll take to fully restore the island?!

[@harrybriscoe7948]

When the next ice age starts up there will be less flooding

[@ivang97997]

I wondered how many people know Bowman Beach in Northern Sanibel

[@fourlittlebirds6166]

I’ve seen similar situations after other natural disasters around the country. Major mid slide in Santa Barbara California, tornados in Tennessee. Sadly, even rebuilding, things will never be the same. They’re going to have the impact from this for YEARS. A lot of business owners will feel it’s not worth it to rebuild, and simply tear down the buildings. Even building back up, those trees are going to look that way for next five years at least.

[@fourlittlebirds6166]

Mud slides and fires in Southern California

[@elizabethstaszak5282]

You’re right, I fear that it will be so many years that I might not be around anymore to see it. I love you Sanibel 🐚 🕊️