UPDATE 4:30 P.M. FRIDAY, OCT. 11
The City of Sanibel has put a curfew in place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily until further notice. Everyone is asked to limit their travel throughout the island as much as possible to help expedite the cleanup.
Waste Management will return to the island on Monday to resume household trash pickup with the regular collection schedule.
The city is working with the storm debris contractor to finalize details of routes and when debris pickup will begin. The city anticipates that it will begin Wednesday, Oct. 16. The city will release more information on properly sorting debris for pickup.
The city reminds residents not to use the water inside their homes. The sewer system could back up into your property until the city’s sanitary sewer system is restored. You may use water outside your home to clean items, provided the water does not enter the sewer system.
LCEC UPDATE FRIDAY, OCT. 10
LCEC is working to have the substation energized this afternoon. This will take time as power will be restored throughout Sanibel in stages. Once the substation is powered, crews will assess additional line issues that may be identified.
To prepare for the possibility of an extended power outage, the City of Sanibel has requested additional generators to power needed components of the city’s sanitary sewer system. Some of that equipment has arrived today and staff has started the installation process.
UPDATE 2:15 P.M. THURSDAY, OCT. 10
Sanibel Mayor Richard Johnson announced the island is now open to residents and business owners. A green or red hurricane pass or a driver’s license with a Sanibel address is required to enter the island. Johnson said there is still significant water on the roadways and urged everyone to use caution as they travel about the island. Captiva remains inaccessible by road at this time. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said crews are working to repair the Blind Pass bridge. There is no timeline on when Blind Pass will reopen.
LCEC UPDATE THURSDAY, OCT. 10
Earlier today, LCEC conducted an aerial inspection of the Sanibel transmission line, completed around noon. Fortunately, the result was good. When the substation is ready for energization, the transmission line will be re-energized.
Damage to some equipment in the LCEC substation occurred as a result of the storm. LCEC is working on a plan to make repairs and energize the substation. Substation Electricians are working on the difficult effort to be able to manually operate switches within the substation. Repairs to enable automated switching will be completed at a later date when parts are received. These parts will NOT delay restoration on the island.
Aerial inspection of main circuits will be completed around noon. The result was good. Most poles and overhead conductors are intact. LCEC is planning to perform work outside of the substation to be able to energize parts of the main circuits. After the feeders are energized, taps and services will begin to be restored to energize homes and businesses. Underground facilities in some areas are still in standing water and may take longer to restore.
UPDATE 12:30 P.M. THURSDAY, OCT. 10
Sanibel Mayor Richard Johnson and Deputy City Manager Steve Chaipel said in a Facebook Live update this afternoon that 7,200 customers on Sanibel & Captiva are without power due to a critical piece of infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Milton. They reported power poles and lines are down in areas around the island, as well. The city’s wastewater treatment plant is down until power can be restored.
Chaipel explained the city can only restore water and sewer services with power. The replacement piece of electrical infrastructure is being flown in, but its arrival time is unknown.
The 24-hour curfew remains in place on Sanibel, meaning only first responders and essential personnel should be on the roads.
Johnson and Chaipel asked residents and business owners to have “patience” as they work to assess the damage on the island and make it safe for our return.
ORIGINAL STORY THURSDAY, OCT. 10
The City of Sanibel reported this morning, Oct. 10, first responders and city crews are mobilized on the island and assessing the safety. First reports from those crews have indicated there is substantial water over the roadways in excess of three feet in some areas.
The 24-hour curfew remains in place on Sanibel and the city says it is imperative that those who chose to remain on the island continue to shelter in place. It will take time for the water to recede and for crews to clear the roads and make the island safe for travel.
First responders and essential personnel only may access the island at this time. Residents should not attempt to access the Sanibel Causeway. You will be turned away by law enforcement. It will likely be some time before the island is safe for residents and business owners to return.
The city will provide reentry information through news releases, the city’s website mysanibel.com and Facebook.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office reported this morning that Blind Pass/Turner Beach is impassable, as is Captiva Drive north of Tween Waters Resort.
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