Sanibel, Captiva mainly unaffected by Hurricane Michael
The islands were mostly unscathed as Hurricane Michael rolled through the Gulf of Mexico.
Sanibel Community Services Director Keith Williams reported that all of the effects from the storm came on Oct. 10 during high tide in the northeast section of the island and on the far west end.
“We saw probably between a 2-foot and 3-foot surge,” he said.
Water surged in the area of Woodring Road and Dixie Beach Boulevard for a few hours. It was also observed at Blind Pass, near the Mad Hatter Restaurant and Castaways Beach & Bay Cottages.
“There was enough storm surge to get into the bottom of those,” Williams said.
He estimated the surge at between 1 feet and 2 feet.
Williams noted that the water did not overtop Sanibel-Captiva Road.
“We did have to periodically close the Blind Pass parking lot,” he said. “But it was reopened by the next day.”
“All of the other roads and shorelines held up pretty well,” Williams added.
On Captiva, Lee County officials also reported high water.
“Coastal areas in Lee County began experiencing higher than normal tides on Oct. 9 as Hurricane Michael passed west of Southwest Florida,” spokesman Tim Engstrom said on Oct. 10. “As the storm makes landfall in the Florida Panhandle, winds in our area are expected to shift onshore.”
Both Sanibel Fire and Rescue District Fire Chief Matt Scott and Captiva Island Fire Control District Fire Chief Jeff Pawul said there was nothing to report in relation to the storm for their districts.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office reported it was quiet on the northern island.
“No complaints on Captiva,” Lt. Anita Iriarte said.
On the water, the U.S. Coast Guard rescued two boaters from a 50-foot sailboat on Oct. 10 near Boca Grande in 8-foot seas. Officials reported that it was the second marine rescue in the Fort Myers Beach area due to impacts from Michael. On Oct. 9, Station Fort Myers beach rescued two boaters and their dog, after the boat took on water from crashing waves.