HURRICANE IAN UPDATE | OCT. 10, 2022
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SCCF Continues to Support Community Recovery
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SCCF is continuing to support recovery on the islands in many ways, such as lending its equipment and vehicles to various agencies, including Sanibel Fire & Rescue, as pictured here. "The conservation community is working hand in hand with our Chamber and the business community, the City, other agencies, and an army of volunteers to rebuild our community as quickly as possible," said SCCF CEO James Evans. "We stand strong with all of our partners." |
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Hydrologic Modeler Tracks Storm Surge |
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Using publicly available data through the United States Geologic Survey, National Hurricane Center, and our own River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network (RECON) sensors this animation was created by SCCF/Conservancy of Southwest Florida Hydrologic Modeler Paul Julian, Ph.D. It demonstrates the effect of Hurricane Ian on water levels in rivers and bays.
"Hurricane Ian had a significant effect on water levels across our region. From the storm surge, water levels changed by eight feet at the Franklin lock (S-79) in the Calooshatchee River," said Julian. "Meanwhile water levels in the Peace River rose 10 feet driven by rainfall and run-off associated with the storm."
The Myakka River had a combination of storm surge and rainfall and run-off pushing water levels up by approximately five feet. While Hurricane Ian was a very large storm with an eyewall measuring 34 miles in width, the map shows Hurricane Ian’s approximate center line and progression across the state as it made landfall. The graphs on either side show relative water level elevation between Sept. 24 to Oct 1.
For the Caloosahatchee River, Myakka River, McIntyre Creek, and Tarpon Bay, before the storm there are notable waves in the data, this is the normal tidal cycle. As the storm came closer to the coast, water levels receded rapidly (drawing out of water) followed by a surge (spike) in water levels as this water was pushed as a storm surge up the rivers.
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Marine Lab Starts Post-Ian Water Quality Sampling
A team of researchers from the University of Florida's Center for Coastal Solutions arrived last night to pair up with the SCCF Marine Lab in sampling local waters for harmful algae, nutrients, and indicator bacteria in Southwest Florida. They're also measuring dissolved oxygen.
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INITIAL WILDLIFE OBSERVATIONS |
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While assisting with search and rescue efforts on Sanibel, SCCF staff members sighted several turtle species post-Hurricane Ian, including a peninsula cooter (Pseudemys peninsular), pictured above, a Florida box turtle (Terrapene bauri), a striped mud turtle (Kinosternon baurii), and multiple gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus).
"These survivors show that even after a drastic event like this, many wildlife species can endure," said SCCF Wildlife and Habitat Management Director Chris Lechowicz. His team will be investigating the effects of saltwater intrusion in freshwater wetlands. "Some species will benefit, some will struggle, and others will remain relatively unaffected," he said. Several Florida softshell turtles (Apalone ferox) have been found deceased near or on roads, likely from saltwater intrusion.
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Not only are all SCCF staff safe and accounted for following Hurricane Ian, but we've also received word that five of our tagged snowy plovers (Chardrius nivosus) survived the storm. YB, pictured here, was spotted in South Pinellas County, and Ms. Sanibel and LL were sighted in Sarasota County. "We've also received word that White Blue was sighted on Honeymoon Island State Park and Light Blue Green in Naples," said SCCF Shorebird Biologist Audrey Albrecht.
On Bunche Beach, the SCCF shorebird team has also observed piping plovers (Chardrius melodus), Forster's terns (Sterna forsteri), and Wilson's plovers (Charadrius wilsonia). Today, the team partnered with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and CROW to help get an injured eastern screech owl (Megascops asio) to medical care.
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Sea Turtle Team to Assess Impact on 17 Nests |
On Sept. 27, the day before Hurricane Ian hit, our sea turtle team documented 17 nests remaining on Sanibel and Captiva. It was late enough in the nesting season that out of a total of 787 nests, more than 35,800 hatchlings had already emerged. Using exact location data for the remaining 17 nests, our team will soon be using their Trimble GPS locator device to check on them. With an accuracy of 3 to 5 centimeters, the device will take them to the exact spot on the beach where the nests were. We will provide updates once the team is able to fully access the beaches. |
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Recovery Updates
Accessing Sanibel & Captiva
Those wishing to access either Sanibel or Captiva must do so at their own risk, arrange their own transportation, and have their own resources. A curfew remains in effect on Sanibel from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and on Captiva from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
CAPTIVA
The Captiva Community Resource Panel is working with others to establish a temporary ferry service to the island. Find the most recent updates on the Captiva Storm Ready website.
SANIBEL
Residents with vehicles already on the island can now operate them. Drivers must hang their hurricane re-entry pass on their rearview mirror. Find the most recent updates on the City of Sanibel website
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SCCF Marine Lab Director Shares Water Quality Concerns
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In a story that ran yesterday, SCCF Marine Lab Director Eric Milbrandt, Ph.D., discussed his concerns about an increase in organic material released into the estuary.
“The leaves that blew off the mangroves and all the other trees, are all in the water decomposing, producing a lot of oxygen demand by bacteria,” said Dr. Milbrandt. “And so, one thing we are sort of seeing is at least initially low oxygen levels. What we do not want to see is areas with no oxygen.”
Milbrandt says the increase in nutrients in the water could lead to more algal blooms, including red tide. While the sample size is small, in the years following both Hurricanes Charley and Irma, Southwest Florida saw major red tide blooms.
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Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance
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REBUILDING SCCF
Like so many others, SCCF has been upended by Hurricane Ian. Now that we are grasping the damages on our own properties, including the loss of a wall on our headquarters building that was under construction (pictured above), we are gaining a clearer picture of the unprecedented challenges ahead and are asking those interested in supporting us to make a gift at the link below. These unrestricted donations will be used for temporary staff housing, heavy equipment, and other immediate needs. As we learn of the unmet needs of other island nonprofits, we will redirect donations to them as well.
If you have questions about this appeal, wiring larger gifts to SCCF’s bank account, or making a donation of stock shares, please contact SCCF Development Director Cheryl Giattini at 239-822-6121 or cgiattini@sccf.org. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this heartfelt request.
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