Great Loop Adventures Aboard Next Chapter: The Awesome Power of Mother Nature

Ft Meyers Beach

On Thursday we headed for an anchorage right off Ft Meyers Beach. You all probably remember that this was the epicenter of where hurricane Ian rearranged the landscape. It was about a 35 mile cruise along the intercoastal waterway. We were on high watch to keep an eye out for any debris in the water or changes in depth due to shoaling. Fortunately all was clear. It was very appearant from the water that the devastation was great.

Where we got to shore it was more clear that this an apocalyptic event of incredible magnitude. Most of these barrier island towns there is simply no open lots. The sand space is simply used up by development of one kind or another. Well I would say that at least 30% of the land was now vacant. We were told that it was greatly improved since it happened.

After the event the streets were lined with wreckage of all kinds the was 10’ tall by 10’ deep. It was like driving down a tunnel. That was all cleaned up when we got there. We were also told that the storm surge hit 22’ across the island. Boat wreckage was everywhere. Ft Meyers is know for being the shrimping capital of the world. Not any more. The shrimp boat fleet looked like somebody picked them up and made a big pile.

But signs of life are returning. A few restaurants were opened some of the hotels had lights on and some home/condo owners had returned to enjoy what they could. There is an interesting dynamic here. A number of folks who suffered a total loss have owned the property for years if not generations. So IF they had flood insurance that’s where FEMA comes in. It only covers $250K. If that is not enough to cover the replacement then they are forced to sell. A local told us that the “official National Weather Service” report for sustained wind speed was 154 mph, just 1 mph below a Cat 5 hurricane. If it had been officially a Cat 5 then the insurance companies would have been on the hook for 100% of the property damage value no questions asked! Many said the wind gusts were well over that. Maybe the government was trying to save some of the insurance companies from declaring bankruptcy?

Now here is another crazy part. There is not a piece of land on Ft Meyers beach for anything less than about $1.2 million. Very few if any paid that. So do you feel sorry for these people who lost their home? Is it the assumed risk for living in paradise on the edge of the ocean? What we walked away with is that the feel of Ft Meyers beach will change. It will likely loose it’s old beachy feel. Many of the Mom & Pop places will not return. It will likely become another over developed ritzie Florida destination where the average Joe can’t afford to go. Maybe we are wrong in our assumptions. We certainly hope so!