We have shown resilience, and we share the same goal: to rebuild and restrengthen our tourism product. This service extension, which had been provided by the State of Floridas Division of Emergency Management, was approved at Monday's Town Council meeting. But Ms. Feucher conceded that persuading people to accept new regulations is no easy task. Al Cathey, the longtime mayor, says that decision was controversial. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Hurricane Ian: A birds eye view of SWFLs recovery one month later. During Hurricane Harvey, wind did the most significant damage in Rockport. City and county residents give each other a helping hand, New security system will greet Lee students come 2023-24 classes, Tracking the impact of U.S.-China tensions on global financial institutions, 'I'll lose my family.' What will the new Club Orient look like? It was a Category 5 hurricane, one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the United States. It's the seventh year in a row there's been an above average hurricane season. Were hoping that this influx of the water into the bay doesnt damage the structure of that bridge, Rios said. The French side of the island was a different scene. The rebuilt Driftwood Inn is the first major business to reopen in Mexico Beach since Hurricane Michael. There is still lots of construction going on. But to do that, we're going to have to provide houses for those families to live in. It was a lot like Charlie, it turned last minute. "Right now we have 862 rooms available in hotels, timeshares and guesthouses, and 65% of the villa inventory has been renovated," Damaseau said. Unfortunately, the Club Orient property was completely wiped out by hurricane Irma in September 2017. Some residents, and the city itself, are still repairing damage caused by the hurricane. It would be an understatement to say they went on a mission. Considering the dire shape Saint-Martin was in right after the storm, with its infrastructure flattened, the fact that much of the territory is back on its feet confirms the aid has made a difference. Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach, in particular, since those communities became almost unrecognizable after overwhelming flooding, damage, and devastation. This church was destroyed by Hurricane Ian's 150 mph winds and a wall of water that pummeled the island in September 2022. "On the front of the church," he says, "you see this beautiful pristine stained-glass window that was perfectly untouched. I think theres plenty of room for compromise.. These images, like the ones of Grand Case we shared earlier, were captured by our good friend and SXM resident, Malaika Maxwell, just a few weeks after Hurricane 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. The top French official on the island says she wants more restrictions on construction in the areas most at risk to future storms, in order to protect lives and the economy. A week before the official start of hurricane season, meteorologists began tracking a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico. A police sergeant with the Golden Beach Police Department is recovering after being shot overnight Saturday during a pursuit of two suspects in a stolen vehicle, authorities said. Ms. Carty had lived all her 65 years on the waterfront, and she felt it was safe to ignore the evacuation orders that preceded Irmas landfall. He doesnt understand why FEMA wont help. Can you drink tap water Buildings will now have to be elevated to protect them from flooding in future storm events. Six months after Hurricane Ian stormed across Southwest Florida, people in many areas are still struggling to rebuild. I had 15 feet of water and other parts of my property. A powerful storm surge flattened structures in coastal areas, helping make it the third costliest hurricane on record after only Katrina and Harvey. But on a visit to the island in late August, a checkerboard of remaining damage was visible all around. Cleanup and rebuilding continues are public access points, however. That's no longer the case. We didnt know it could take months, it could take a year we didnt have a timeline, really, Councilmember Smith said. Florida Gov. There were million-dollar homes, but it was a community of cottages, not Miami Beach-style condos. In the room, the Mayor of Sanibel at the time, Holly Smith, and Governor Ron DeSantis. Its up to about 8,000 a day, Marcus Preece, general manager of Cielo, said. What happens, come what may.". The Mercure hotel in Marigot was surrounded by water and debris on Sept. 6, after Hurricane Irma. Im praying out of nowhere a car pulls up right after I was done praying right where a car pulls up out of nowhere. ", Doster's home was flooded and he's doing the repairs himself. Grant Brown, a spokesman for the city of Gulf Shores, said damage was a lot worse than our initial thoughts, and theres still a lot of work to be done. Copyright 2023 Waterman Broadcasting of Florida, LLC. Wood is 82 now. Hurricane recovery has been no different, revealing that distinctions in culture and governance have had a significant bearing on progress during the past two years. GULF SHORES, Ala. (AP) Alabamas beaches have reopened, but the states coast has hardly recovered fully from the effects of Hurricane Sally last month. WebSome places have recovered but there is still very noticeable areas of ruin. Fort Myers Beach was one of the hardest hit areas. For questions about pickups, contact Waste Management at 239-334-1224. Greg Allen/NPR Mexico Beach has adopted one of the toughest building codes in Florida. 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Hundreds of hotel rooms and condominium units were rented in Gulf Shores and neighboring Orange Beach for this weekend, officials said, and visitors can get to the beach from private areas. Along the South Texas Coastal Bend, heavy rains this week have brought major flooding, and concerns about drinking water supplies to cities including Corpus Christi, Port Aransas and Rockport. April 28, 2023 FORT MYERS Thats the strength and weakness of France, Ms. Feucher said. Structural analysis of the building showed it was safe, but a lot of work needed to be done., Fort Myers Beach, FL Publix Structural Analysis by Gage Goulding NBC2 on Scribd, Weve seen it gutted, new interior, new roof, obviously new parking lot, which they just started today, Mulrooney said., Now, there are big banners outside saying the Publix is reopening soon.. A police sergeant with the Golden Beach Police Department is recovering after being shot overnight Saturday during a pursuit of two suspects in a stolen vehicle, authorities said.