Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Sanibel & Captiva Islands
August 18, 2004

By Janet Wilson

- Sanibel City officials announced that insurance adjusters requiring access to Sanibel Island should pick-up a City issue Hurricane Pass. Passes can be obtained at Sanibel's temporary city hall located at Holiday Inn Select at the Bell Tower Mall (13051 Bell Tower Dr., Ft. Myers). For additional information regarding access to Sanibel Island call (239) 482-2900, ext 201.

Re-Entry Information Sanibel Island will re-open to residents at 7:00 a.m. and business owners and property caretakers at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 18, 2004.

Hurricane Passes continue to be available at the temporary Sanibel City Hall located at the
Holiday Inn/Bell Tower,
13051 Bell Tower Drive, Suite 201
Fort Myers, FL.

To obtain a Hurricane Pass, owners must bring a current Tax bill or other proof of residency or business ownership. Verbal or phone verification will be required BY THE OWNER for relatives and/or friends who will be working on the owner's behalf.

Captiva Island Residents Will be allowed back on the island, with a proper ID as of August 18. They are asked to drive to the Ding Darling Bird Sanctuary and they will be shuttled to or near their homes. They can expect just to look around and then be shuttled back off the island.

Sanibel Island Mail Service:
Wednesday through Friday (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) residents will be allowed to collect their mail with a curbside drive through the Sanibel Post Office, located at 650 Tarpon Bay Road. Saturday August 21, street mail delivery is expected to resume on the island, blue collection boxes will be activated.

Captiva Island Mail- Captiva 's Postmaster, Mark Lewis, has made arrangements for residents of Captiva to receive their mail beginning Wednesday, August 18, 2004. Captiva residents will be able to pick up their mail between the hours of 9 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., Monday - Friday in the Edison Conference Room at the Hampton Inn & Suites, located at 11281 Summerlin Square Blvd (directly behind the Taco Bell on Summerlin Blvd.). Please note, there will be NO retail services at this location. Only incoming mail will be distributed. Captiva's Postmaster has retrieved all mail that was in the Post Office boxes. All 1st Class mail will be available for pickup. Mark Lewis and postal clerk Diane Schmid, will be available at the Hamptom Inn & Suites to assist all Captiva residents.

The County will resume toll collection on the Sanibel Bridge effective Monday morning, August 23, at 5:45 AM. SANIBEL BRIDGE TRUCK PERMITTING & OPERATION OF WEIGH STATION Due to re-opening of the Causeway to general public and the large number of out of County trucks, the County will again require all trucks to have applicable permits. The County will resume operation of the Sanibel weigh station and checking all truck permits at 12:01 AM August 19, Wednesday night/Thursday morning. Note this will require all trucks to have applicable permits issued by Lee County DOT, this is regardless of who the individual is working for. Information is available at 335-2852. The collection of overweight fees for the City of Sanibel will resume at 12:01 AM August 20.

You can also call the Hurricane Hotline at (800)933-6093

Sanibel Causeway Repairs - Drawbridge Fender System Being Repaired

Boaters Pass Under the Drawbridge with Caution

The Sanibel Drawbridge fender system in the main navigation channel was damaged by Hurricane Charley. Debris removal and repairs to the fender system in the main channel will begin August 18. Boaters please use caution when passing through the drawbridge channel, no wake is permitted. In addition, a portion of the seawall on the south side of the east end (mainland) of the bridge was damaged by the hurricane and is being assessed. The safety of construction workers in the bay is a priority. Bay users must slow their speed down and abide by the no-wake zone signs at the drawbridge. Boats can create dangerous conditions for construction workers. Operation of boats or personal recreational watercraft in proximity to the repair zone can result in distractions and disruptions to the construction activity and could result in unnecessary hazards for the public and the construction workers.

For more information contact Kris Cella, Cella & Associates, Inc.,
2125 First Street Suite 201, Fort Myers, FL 33901, call 239-337-1071

BestofSanibelCaptiva.com has posted an online interactive message board for islanders to get damage reports and lots of other pertinent topics.

Read about your neighborhood, post what you know or have heard, and share this link with other homeowners and residents. It's very easy to use, and totally automated.

RELATED LINKS:
City of Sanibel
On-line interactive message board.