Milton added insult to injury for Matlacha, St. James and Bokeelia and, of course SW Florida in general. They both weren’t largely wind events for our area, but they were significant water events augmented by the storm winds.
The tidal surge from Milton destroyed much of the ongoing work and repair begun after Helena’s tidal surge brushed by SW Florida. Of course, there had been continued work repairing the few buildings left in Matlacha that could be repaired after Hurricane Ian.
The approaches to the bridges and replacement of the smaller easternmost bridge were under construction. The few buildings that had been cleaned up and repaired were hit again by Milton.
Recently replaced appliances, furniture and flooring, etc. were again seen out by the road ready for pick-up by disposal. The few buildings that were remaining and weakened by previously storms were now completely destroyed.
This same scenario was repeated in Bokeelia and St. James. Nothing about these storms was significant as storms go. They weren’t bigger, or stronger or faster or more prolific than ever before. . . there are just more people in the area and often measured with massively inflated dollars. None of this matters if it is your house or business. And the effects will last for many years.
How do we know this? Because we’ve lived through every storm Since Hurricane Donna in 1960. Pineland mean tide hasn’t gone up one inch since Donna. There are just more people and damages measured in grossly inflated dollars.
We fully understand the depression that sets in after such storm. We were in the building when Hurricane Charlie took our roof off with direct hit of 175 mph winds (one of the top two or three strongest hurricanes) and we spent the next 5 years fixing it.
We, here at PIN were without power and internet for three days. Many off the main road waited days longer. It is quite normal for Islanders, individuals and businesses to look out and help other islanders. It is and always has been the case.
It is yet to be seen how these storms will affect Pine Island and SW Florida long term.
Lee County Development asks that any unincorporated Lee County Residents with water intrusion in their homes, or those residing in the Special Flood Hazard Area with wind damage, send an email to FIRMinfo@leegov.com for assistance with permit requirements and resources.
Residents also can visit www.leegov.com/dcd/BldPermitServ/disaster-recovery for information.
See Hurricane Assistance
See Storm Debris Removal
