Utility Truck Convoy Reaches Sanibel On Temporary Bridge: Ian Update

FLORIDA — It was literally a light at the end of the tunnel for residents Sanibel island as a convoy of utility bucket trucks crossed the temporary causeway Tuesday, linking the island to civilization for the first time since the island was cut off from the mainland by Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28.

The arrival of the utility truck convoy signaled the restoration of electricity to the island.

During a news conference in Fort Myers Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis said the temporary repairs to the Sanibel Causeway, which was destroyed by the hurricane, will enable the state to finally get resources to the island to restore power. He said it will allow a one-time convoy of power restoration equipment, supplies and crews to access Sanibel Island, including more than 200 bucket trucks, 150 line and pickup trucks towing 50 trailers and two tractor trailers.

Once crews are on the island, the Florida Department of Transportation will resume repairs to a temporary access road to the island that residents can use. That access is expected to be completed by Oct. 21, the Florida Department of Transportation reported.

Stay up to date by viewing all Hurricane Ian coverage on Patch here.

Last week, at DeSantis’ direction, electric companies used barges to move equipment and supplies to Sanibel Island to restore power and running water. Barges continue to arrive at the island daily, transporting equipment, personnel and supplies.

In the meantime, a base camp has been set up on Pine Island for utility crews from across the country who have arrived to assist Lee County Electric Cooperative, Florida Power and Light and members of the Florida Electric Cooperative Association.

On Oct. 5, Pine Island residents cheered as the Florida Department of Transportation completed a temporary bridge to Pine Island in less than three days, allowing power restoration crews to access the island and begin repairs and for Publix trucks to restock grocery stores with fresh meat and vegetables.

Led by Duke Energy and LCEC, crews have begun to clear debris, lay new lines and replace power poles. By Thursday, LCEC expects to have power restored to a quarter of Pine Island, including the island’s center, water treatment plant substation and centrally located grocery stores. Power is expected to be restored to a third of the island and the Matlacha area by next week.

The current complement of crews from mutual aid partners will continue working on restoration efforts, including more than 50 cooperatives from Alabama, Florida, Texas, Louisiana and Georgia, until further notice.

Teaming up with Duke Energy, LCEC set up an impressive base camp consisting of more than 30 trailers to house the line workers along with a mobile command unit, bathrooms and a dining tent. Also housed at the command center are planners, restoration coordinators, engineers and information technology experts to assist in the restoration of the electrical infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Ian.

Work on a similar command center on Sanibel Island is underway.

“They are working around the clock,” said Florida Power and Light CEO Eric Silagy said. “This is Team Florida.”

Both Sanibel and Captiva islands sustained extensive infrastructure damage that is preventing crews from accessing areas where critical rebuilding is needed, said LCEC CEO Denise Vidal.

"However, we are encouraged to see how our local, county, state and federal officials are working together to solve these collective problems following Hurricane Ian," Vidal said. "Our army of linemen are eager and ready to tackle repairs and restoration as soon as these areas are safely accessible."

There are currently 19,362 reported power outages remaining since the hurricane. More than 42,000 linemen have already restored power to more than 2.6 million customers across the state, representing more than 99 percent of accounts restored since the peak.

Last week, LCEC and its partners restored power to thousands of customers in Cape Coral and North Fort Myers, bringing the total number of customers remaining without service in Lee County to less than 5 percent.

However, the restoration of power to Cape Coral neighborhoods produced an unanticipated snag. Five fires broke out at homes in Cape Coral within 24 hours, mostly due to gas burners on stoves being left on after the power went out.

The Cape Coral Fire Department issued this warning to residents: "Please be sure to turn off the main breaker to your house to avoid a potential surge from occurring while you are not home when power is restored. After power has been restored to your home, turn on the main breaker and then slowly turn on all other breakers.

The Cape Coral Fire Department and its mutual aid partners, East Lake Fire Rescue, Pinellas Park Fire Department, Brevard County Fire Rescue, Melbourne Fire Department, St. Cloud Fire Rescue Department, City of Cocoa Beach Fire, Martin County Fire Rescue, and Canaveral Fire Rescue are continuing to fight fires as the lights go back on.

In one case, the resident had turned off the breakers and was turning them back on when a faulty outlet in the bedroom shorted and caught a mattress on fire.

In another case, wiring in the home's attic space above the bedroom shorted out from a surge when power was restored and a fire broke out at another home when a wire in the eaves above the garage door shorted out.

During the resulting fires, no people were hurt, but firefighters had to rescue five dogs, two cats, a bird and two turtles. The dogs and cats required oxygen.

As of Tuesday night, the Florida District Medical Examiners reported 103 confirmed hurricane deaths in the following counties:

• Charlotte – 5
• Collier – 5
• DeSoto – 1
• Hardee – 4
• Hendry – 2
• Hillsborough – 2
• Lake – 1
• Lee – 52
• Manatee – 3
• Martin – 1
• Monroe – 7
• Orange – 1
• Osceola – 2
• Polk – 2
• Putnam – 3
• Sarasota –7
• Volusia – 5