It’s hard to believe Hurricane Ian ripped across Sanibel and Captiva Islands one year ago. The devastating realization that the storm caused such severe damage to the islands is still so raw, it feels like yesterday.
Homes were ripped apart. Roofs torn off, buildings pulled up from their foundation. Countless trees destroyed. Palm trees went from deep green to brittle, faded brown. People were left without homes. Businesses were demolished.
Where bustling businesses stood, lots sit empty. Once covered in a full green canopy of gorgeous trees, Captiva Drive became empty and bare overhead.
When we visited last February, only four months after the hurricane, the islands were unrecognizable. Little to no greenery in sight. So many businesses shuttered. Palm fronds turned dry and brown. It was hard not to cry seeing this paradise in ruin.
Even in the darkest of days, the sun continued to shine and nature started taking course. Crossing the causeway onto Sanibel earlier this month, we immediately noticed so much green again. The leaves are coming back, trees filling in. There’s more green than brown. Many trees look lush again. And more businesses are open.
When you visit the island these days, so much progress has been made.
There’s still construction going on. Large bulldozers are perched on Captiva’s Turner Beach. Construction crews sit atop rooftops and are stationed at battered resorts along Sanibel’s shore, where the storm’s damage appears to be at its worst. Some buildings have a long way to go. Others look like they never weathered a storm. New siding has iconic buildings looking better than ever.
One year on and gone are the piles of debris that once lined the side of the road. The rebuilding continues and will for some time. One by one, restaurants and stores slowly reopen. Visitors are coming back to their happy place.
The spirit of the islands is strong. You can feel it. You can see it. The intense destruction took away so much of the natural beauty, homes and businesses. What it didn’t destroy was the people, the heart and soul of these islands.
The comeback is always greater than the setback. And only one year later, these islands are already coming back stronger and greater than ever before.
Looking for more information on how the area is recovering? Be sure to read our lists of “What’s Open on Captiva Island” and “What’s Open on Sanibel.” Keep scrolling for more recovery photos.
Recovery Photos
Photos of Sanibel and Captiva documenting the recovery following Hurricane Ian. These photos were taken in February and September 2023.
South Seas Island Resort
Sanibel-Captiva Road
Andy Rosse Lane
Captiva Drive
The Mucky Duck
RC Otter’s Island Eats
