Treasure Island Officials To Get Hurricane Tips During Trip To Sanibel

TREASURE ISLAND, FL — Listening and learning. That is what Mayor Tyler Payne, City Manager Amy Davis, Fire Chief Trip Barrs, Police Chief John Barkley and Assistant Public Works Director Stacy Boyles plan on doing when they take a trip to Sanibel Island on Feb. 15.

During this trip, they plan to learn about the impacts and lessons their counterparts on the island learned from Hurricane Ian and bring those lessons back home to help Treasure Island better prepare for hurricanes and tropical storms.

"I believe it is critical for us to work together across the state to prepare for storms like Hurricane Ian. We are all devastated by the damage our neighbors to the south incurred last year," Payne said.

"They are well along the path of recovery, but they still have far to go. We are hopeful that we can help them in their time of need while also learning from them to prepare our own city for the worst-case scenario," Payne said. "Treasure Island is very similar in size and geography to Sanibel, so we are confident that we will be able to bring home some valuable information."

Before departing, the city of Treasure Island will be collecting supplies to donate to a local charity in the South Florida area, helping with Hurricane Ian's recovery/rebuilding efforts that are still ongoing.

Supplies, including canned foods, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, eyeglasses, hairbrushes, combs, kitchen utensils and more are currently being collected at Treasure Island City Hall, 120 108th Ave. Those wishing to donate supplies can do so by Feb. 14.