{"id":312327,"date":"2026-06-18T22:12:12","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T22:12:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/312327\/"},"modified":"2026-06-18T22:12:12","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T22:12:12","slug":"sanibel-overview-island-officials-time-to-prepare-for-storm-season-is-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/312327\/","title":{"rendered":"SANIBEL OVERVIEW | Island officials: Time to prepare for storm season is now"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n \/Hurricane Guide 2026
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1 \/ 10<\/p>\n

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An unrecognizable Periwinkle Way days after Hurricane Ian hit Sanibel Island. KATHRYN RIGGIO<\/p>\n

2 \/ 10<\/p>\n

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Workers build a road for barge access under the Sanibel bridge after Hurricane Ian. LEE COUNTY<\/p>\n

3 \/ 10<\/p>\n

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Officials check a piece of washed out road at Blind Pass and Lower Captiva after Hurricane Ian. LEE COUNTY<\/p>\n

4 \/ 10<\/p>\n

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LCEC crews line up to cross the Sanibel Bridge in the days after Hurricane Ian. LCEC<\/p>\n

5 \/ 10<\/p>\n

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Cleanup at Sanibel Sea School in the days after Hurricane Ian. BARBARA LINSTROM<\/p>\n

6 \/ 10<\/p>\n

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The old SCCF Nursery is left decimated by Hurricane Ian. BARBARA LINSTROM<\/p>\n

7 \/ 10<\/p>\n

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Cleanup begins at the old SCCF Nursery after Hurricane Ian. BARBARA LINSTROM<\/p>\n

8 \/ 10<\/p>\n

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Captiva Drive is washed away after Hurricane Ian. SANDY STILWELL YOUNGQUIST<\/p>\n

9 \/ 10<\/p>\n

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A portion of Ding Darling’s Indigo Trail days after Hurricane Ian. CHELLE WALTON<\/p>\n

10 \/ 10<\/p>\n

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A Captiva historic cottage is damaged but still standing after Hurricane Ian. hit the island on Sept. 28, 2022. SUSIE HENRY<\/p>\n

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With hurricane season once again approaching, island officials are advising the community to prepare early and to have a plan to evacuate because it only takes one storm \u2014 as learned in recent years.<\/p>\n

\u201cPreparing for hurricane season isn\u2019t something you do when a storm is coming. It\u2019s something you do before season starts,\u201d Sanibel Fire and Rescue District Deputy Fire Chief John DiMaria said. \u201cBeing prepared buys you time, and in an emergency, time is everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t really get the luxury of waiting and seeing with hurricanes \u2014 the risks hit fast and hit hard,\u201d Captiva Island Fire Control District Fire Chief Jeff Pawul said. \u201cOn a barrier island, preparation isn\u2019t overkill. It\u2019s what makes the difference between a manageable disruption and a serious disaster.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPreparing saves lives,\u201d Sanibel Police Department Police Chief William Dalton said. \u201cWhen a storm is bearing down on you, there\u2019s just too much to do to have your preparations done on time. Prepare now, so you can focus instead at that time.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for advance preparations for season, now is the time to create a plan, including if and when you will evacuate, where you will go and what you will take with you. Share your plan with family or friends.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlanning for both staying and leaving is important,\u201d DiMaria said. \u201cHowever, as learned with Hurricane Ian, nothing is worth staying for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those who need help creating a plan can call FISH of Sanibel-Captiva for assistance.<\/p>\n

Learn if you are in a flood zone or an evacuation zone and learn what your evacuation routes are.<\/p>\n

Update your hurricane kit or build one if you do not already have one.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t wait until the shelves are empty in the store,\u201d DiMaria said. \u201cPrepare your kits now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Recommended items for it include: A gallon of water per person per day for a minimum of three to seven days; nonperishable food items; flashlights, batteries and portable phone chargers; a first aid kit and any needed prescriptions; important documents stored in a waterproof container, like ID, Social Security card, marriage certificate, medical records and insurance information; and cash, in case the power is out and ATMs are not working. Pet owners should also include pet supplies.<\/p>\n

People can prepare their home in advance by inspecting shutters and making sure they have all of the equipment and tools. Check roofs and gutters. Trim trees and limbs and remove any loose items.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything on the lower floors that you don\u2019t want to end up in your neighborhood\u2019s yard or end up damaged, make sure to protect those,\u201d he said. \u201cKnow how to shut off your utilities if needed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those with lithium battery-powered devices, such as electric vehicles, golf carts and bicycles, should have a plan to remove those from the island or to park them away from structures to prevent a fire.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe saw in Hurricane Ian what they can do, especially when infiltrated with seawater,\u201d DiMaria said.<\/p>\n

Another advance preparation is to sign up for alerts from the city of Sanibel and Lee County, like AlertLee<\/a>, and follow their social media pages, along with those of island emergency agencies.<\/p>\n

\u201cUse those trusted sources out there,\u201d he said. \u201cThere is a lot of misinformation on social media.\u201d<\/p>\n

When season arrives and a storm is forecasted for the area, preparation should shift from planning to action. The two to three days before its arrival should be focused on any last-minute preparations.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever plans you have, be ready to put them in place,\u201d Pawul said.<\/p>\n

Do not wait for a mandatory evacuation \u2014 a lesson learned from Hurricane Helene.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe saw how much damage and hazards occurred from the storm surge alone,\u201d he said. \u201cAs a barrier island, we\u2019re likely to have impacts, even if it\u2019s not a direct hit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ensure vehicles are fueled, refill any prescriptions, and charge important electronic devices.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake sure furniture is brought inside or put in the garage. Make final preparations for the house,\u201d Pawul said. \u201cGet any remaining supplies that you have not gotten.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two to three days out, pay attention to your resources.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re going to want to start monitoring those official reports and sources,\u201d he said, suggesting one national and one local news source. \u201cThe local ones are really going to drill down to our area.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everything home-wise should be done at this point.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou should be putting your plan in place and starting that evacuation,\u201d Pawul said, noting that people do not need to leave the state. \u201cYou just need to get away from the coast and out of harm\u2019s way \u2014 away from the storm surge.\u201d<\/p>\n

If an evacuation is ordered, leave immediately. Delaying puts you and emergency responders as risk.<\/p>\n

In the last 24 hours when the storm is imminent, make sure generators are good to go. Lithium battery-powered devices remaining on the island should be moved out of garages and away from structures.<\/p>\n

Continue to monitor resources as the storm passes.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we\u2019re expecting to get impacts from a storm, you really should not be planning to shelter in place. It\u2019s not your best bet,\u201d he said. \u201cWe don\u2019t plan on doing that. You shouldn\u2019t be doing that either.\u201d<\/p>\n

For those who still choose not to leave, stay inside and shelter in place. Stay away from windows and move to interior rooms if conditions worsen. Let island first responders know that you plan to stay.<\/p>\n

Once the threat of the storm passes, first responders will arrive first in the case of an evacuation.<\/p>\n

\u201cInitial reentry will made by police, fire and public works,\u201d Dalton said.<\/p>\n

They will focus on the safety of citizens, public property and clearing of roads, while assessing how safe the conditions are for people to return. Recovery of services, like power and water, are next.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe damage that the storm causes will determine if it\u2019s an islandwide reopening or if it\u2019s reopened by zone,\u201d he said, adding that the zones are broken up from east to west through Sanibel to Captiva. \u201cCaptiva needs to come through Sanibel, so they also need hurricane passes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Residents will be allowed first, followed by business owners.<\/p>\n

People should secure their hurricane pass or hangtag now to show at the tollbooth.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an easy way for officers at the checkpoint to identify residents and business owners,\u201d Dalton said.<\/p>\n

The 2024 passes will be reused for the 2026 season.<\/p>\n

People can also gain entry with a driver\u2019s license with an island address.<\/p>\n

Upon returning home, check for any major damage that may need to be reported to insurance.<\/p>\n

\u201cFolks should do an initial assessment of their house and make sure everything is OK,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Use good common sense and safety measures when cleaning up.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere always winds up being a little uptick in injuries after a storm,\u201d Dalton said. \u201cOnly do things that you\u2019re comfortable with. If somebody doesn\u2019t use a chainsaw on a regular basis, it wouldn\u2019t be smart to start using one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unless a neighbor or friend asks, do not go on to someone else\u2019s property.<\/p>\n

\u201cStay on your own property,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Be careful of downed power lines. If you see one, avoid it and call the Sanibel Police Department.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll come out and check it out and we will contact LCEC,\u201d Dalton said.<\/p>\n

If using a generator, keep it at least 20 feet away from all structures.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t use them indoors,\u201d he said. \u201cYou have to make sure they\u2019re outside.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ensure no dry flammable vegetation is nearby.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd always be careful when you\u2019re refueling the generator,\u201d Dalton said.<\/p>\n

For more information, visit the city of Sanibel at mysanibel.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n


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