Sanibel Island

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.

Mayor Holly D. Smith said there is no timeframe for re-entry and if residents have somewhere safe to stay they should remain there.

A dead whale shark washed ashore this past weekend in Sanibel Island. Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium scientists say it is not one of the two whale…