First and foremost, our hearts and prayers go out to everyone who has experienced the pain of loss due to these hurricanes across the Southeastern United States.
As you know, the old saying goes that every cloud has a silver lining. And while we believe that it’s healthy to embrace positivity when faced with difficulty, we also believe that two hurricanes in two weeks are two too many for anywhere, let alone our beautiful Florida Gulf Coast.
That said, there are silver linings for all of us who call Lee and Collier Counties home (or home away from home). Some takeaways for residents, businesses and visitors:
STORM SURGE. Although catastrophic storm surge numbers were projected, most of our Gulf coast communities — from Naples to North Fort Myers — were fortunate to see less than predicted, or in many areas no surge, even near the beaches. Unlike that unnamed hurricane two years ago, many residents and businesses are cleaning out, cleaning up and getting back to normal already or will be very soon.
PROPERTY DAMAGE. Most of us seemed to respect the lessons learned from Ian and complied with mandatory evacuations. Prior to departure, many also took the important septs of moving valuables to higher space or removing items altogether. And anti-flooding measures like sandbags, plastic wrap and even caulk were in some cases helpful.
Ground level homes and businesses obviously took on more water damage than structures inland, on higher ground or on pilings. Fortunately for many, these repairs are proving to be not as catastrophic as two years ago. Note: if building back, consider resilient goods like PVC or water resistant walling, higher storage and placement of appliances.
Our family looks ahead with optimism to the day we can return to our new, more resilient home. We know that not everyone is able to move back, and that there’s enough hurricane burnout that some people don’t want to go through anything like this again. If there’s any way the Sprecher team can help you, let us know.
MOVING BACK, MOVING FORWARD. With many areas of Lee and Collier Counties under mandatory evacuation — including of course Sanibel, Captiva, Fort Myers Beach and other low-lying areas in both counties — power, water and internet have hastened our ability to move back. Unfortunately, there remain pockets still waiting for re-energization and re-internetation (my word), while we all work together to move our islands and communities forward.
As a 20-year resident of Sanibel Island whose home was lost to Ian with new construction a slow process, our family looks ahead with optimism to the day we can return to our new, more resilient home. We know that not everyone is able to move back, and that there’s enough hurricane burnout that some people don’t want to go through anything like this again.
If there’s any way the Sprecher team can help you, let us know by reaching out here. Thank you and God bless.