For Sara Lee Brinks, Ian was the first hurricane she's ever experienced.

Originally from Michigan, the owner of Pine Island's Frozen Flip Flop said that at first, she wasn't worried about Ian, but it proved to be unlike anything she's ever been through.

After checking in on her shop, Brinks is now working towards getting herself, and her community, back to normal.

Like Brinks, several Pine Island residents, businesses and officials are on a mission back to normalcy, aiming to rebuild better a little more than a month after the storm.

Related:Where to offer time, money, food and other supplies for Ian victims

Pine Island suffered immense damage from the Category 4 storm, ripping up trees, telephone poles and roofs, as well as demolishing homes and businesses.

From Bokeelia to St. James City, inhabitants of the 17-mile-long unincorporated island have worked tirelessly in the weeks since Sept. 28 to clear debris from their properties and begin restoration efforts. The island has restored power and water.

While Ian's 155 mph winds and nearly 12-foot storm surge tore through and left physical scars on the area, there was no damage to the island's sense of community and spirit. From delivering meals to first responders to planning events to raise funds for those in need, Pine Islanders have stepped up to help one another on the road to recovery.

Progress after one month-plus

For Pine Island Chamber of Commerce Board member Cynthia Welch, the recovery process has been "ongoing but incredible to watch."

"Just from the initial clearing of our roads before we even have had a bridge, our islanders were doing all that so that by the time we did get our road back, (Lee County Electric Cooperative) and their cohorts that they brought out could actually get out here and get started," Welch said. "That was a huge step in the right direction right from the get-go. A lot of people kind of forget that … our roads were clear before we ever had any help from anybody outside."

After Ian's hit, Welch describes the devastation as mind-blowing, saying it was hard to look at initially. However, she applauds the strength of the community for banding together.

Now just over a month later, it is their strength that has allowed Pine Island to recover as quickly as it has.

"Most of our businesses are back open in some level or another and are functioning," Welch said, with more than half of their over 200 members back and running. "People are going about their daily lives and cleaning up and picking up and getting their roofs fixed and their siding and all the other stuff. It's incredible in just a month to see the difference."

Through all of the tragedy and destruction, Welch said there has been no shortage of neighbors helping neighbors and terrific people coming out to support the community.

"From the linemen that come from God knows where to the volunteers who that have come out to help, the people who have donated stuff to help those who have lost everything … the hot meals were a godsend for everybody when you're trying to do everything else," Welch said. "All that stuff just restores your faith that good people are out there and then when push comes to shove, people band together to help each other out."

Previous coverage:

Businesses reopen, give back after Ian

Brink had just opened her frozen yogurt shop, located along the middle of Stringfellow Road, in July of this year.

She said she joined the Pine Island community permanently in 2020, opening her shop two years later after polling locals to see what they wanted.

"During high season, we can't get off island, that road is just all jammed up. The only two answers I got was coffee and ice cream," Brink said. "In thinking that type 2 diabetes is rampant around here, I thought that frozen yogurt is lower in fat and sugar, so I thought frozen yogurt would be a good idea."

When she learned about Ian's impending path towards Southwest Florida, she said she honestly wasn't nervous at all. She did pack a bag to head back to her native Michigan, yet decided to stay after hearing reassurance from neighbors and customers.

"When (neighbors) invited me down there (to shelter), it felt very safe until the surge and then we made a run for it to the neighboring stilt house in the surge," Brinks said. "And then I got sick because of the floodwaters. I remember shivering it was so cold that night. When we came back through the floodwaters to the original house we all got sick."

Coming out the next day and seeing the damage to her newly found community was "heartbreaking." Fortunately, her yogurt shop received little to no damage.

Over three weeks, she only reopened for one day, giving out ice cream to first responders and residents. Now, she's fully back open again.

Just a few yards away, fellow newcomer to Pine Island's restaurant scene, Fine Swine owner Brian Crowley, wasn't as lucky with hurricane damage.

His restaurant, opened this past January, experienced some roof and floor damage, as well as some of their ventilation system being blown off the roof. His food truck was also moved ten feet away from where it's normally parked on their lot.

Yet, Crowley said he feels fortunate compared to his neighbors.

"I was kind of happy that it was in the condition it was in because we came by boat first, because there was no road, the first thing we saw were the houses and our community down in St. James City … it was just mangled," Crowley said. "So many people lost so much. There's people that lost literally everything. Those are the people that we're trying to help out."

Working out of the food truck after it was repositioned, Crowley was back to serving meals to the community on Nov. 2.

"We've had a really, really good response … people just come in and talk to each other and hang out. We got beer on the patio, So you can hang out on the patio," Crowley said. "We can't open inside yet but you can at least get a cold beer and hang out and talk to your neighbors."

The Fine Swine even held a hurricane benefit concert to rebuild Pine Island in the parking lot of his restaurant Oct. 16. He estimates he has served over 1,200 meals to residents and first responders.

Damage in St. James City

Beyond the heart of Pine Island, other parts of the island were completely decimated by Ian.

On the southern tip, the famous fishing town of St. James City is normally home to several eclectic restaurants, shops, and art galleries.

As of now, a tragic mix of debris and dirt lines Stringfellow Road and the town's surrounding streets, as if a bomb went off within the middle of the city.

The Low Key Tiki was one of the storms victims. Beloved by not just the Pine Island community but by those all over the world, the restaurant has captured the hearts of patrons since 19XX.

Following Ian, the restaurant suffered damage from three feet of flooding, losing all of the equipment in their main kitchen.

Despite the damage, owner Johnnie Smith said he and his staff reopened soon after and were serving meals to residents since "day one" after the storm hit.

The Low Key Tiki is currently in the process of being rethatched, expecting to close starting Nov. 8 for the repairs.

"Stronger than the surge"

The road to recovery is a long one for Pine Island, yet is being made faster by the dedication of locals.

For residents who have experienced the unimageable over the past month, Brinks said they've appreciated the hint of normalcy.

"Everybody is so supportive. People come in here and when they walk in, they say, 'Oh my gosh, we needed this, it feels like nothing ever happened,'" Brinks said. "Or they'll come in and cry. All they need are hugs or they'll come in and just sit and vent. And then they will thank me for letting them vent because they just have to get it out."

Brinks and Crowley are continuing to provide aid and join in on events to help recovery efforts. Brinks said she is preparing her shop to start serving hot breakfast for residents, while Crowley plans to serve meals at a Pine Island benefit in the works for Nov. 19.

As for the chamber, Wells said their next steps are collecting responses from their correspondence to all their members, noting when businesses expect to be open. While some businesses are already reopen, they expect others, specifically in St. James City and Matlacha, to take awhile before opening their doors.

From there, they will plan to do local ad campaign in the coming months to encourage locals to do day trips to the island. As of now, they aren't exactly recommending traveling.

"We're not discouraging anyone from coming out right now, but neither are we really encouraging everybody because we've still got a lot of work to do," Welch said.

Welch does encourage the slogan of "Stronger than the Surge," promoting the positive spirit of the islanders.

"There's so many heartbreaking stories of people who have lost everything … their homes and their businesses, then you talk to them, and they have such a positive attitude about rebuilding and moving forward," Welch said "So I think it's the attitude of everybody (that sticks with me)."

To continue to show Pine Island is headed in the right direction post Hurricane Ian and ensure local families, especially the children, have a magical Christmas and have an opportunity to replace some of the toys they may have lost, the Pine Island FISH organization is again hosting the Christmas Basket Brigade, but in a little different format this year.

On Dec. 17 at the Pine Island United Methodist Church, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., FISH will host a free general toy store for kids, where toy donations will be placed on tables by type or licensed property and parents will shop for 2-3 gifts per child. Concurrently, they will have a free Christmas store for kids to shop for their parents or any grandparents living with them.

Karen Durand, Basket Brigade chair said, “FISH is dedicated to helping islanders get back on their feet and we know we can count on everyone’s generosity to help. Donations of new, unwrapped toys and gifts can be dropped off in holiday decorated bins between Nov. 5 and Dec. 10 at any of the four Matlacha Fire Stations, OLMM Catholic Church, the Pine Island United Methodist Church, at Centennial Bank and First Horizon Bank or at the Pine Island Library. A toy collection box will also be available at the free Community Wide Thanksgiving Dinner to be held at the Moose Lodge on Saturday, Nov. 26. Donors offering a large quantity of items should contact Karen Durand 513-265-7123 directly for pick up.”

Monetary donations are also welcome and can be made online via the FISH website (just mark Basket Brigade in the notes section), or by check and mailed to Pine Island FISH, PO Box 357, Matlacha, FL 33933.

Pine Island FISH is a 501c3 organization so donations may be tax deductible.

Last year FISH had almost 300 children, in 120 families signed up for its Christmas Basket Brigade program and the organization expects a similar number this year.

The program is limited to families living on Pine Island and Matlacha.

Families living on Pine Island or in Matlacha who need a little extra cheer are welcome to sign up. Please contact Durand at 513-265-7123 or by email kdurand55@gmail.com by Monday, Dec. 5, to register to ensure there are enough toys and gifts on hand. If Spanish conversation is required, please contact Nancy at 239-257-8385.

Volunteer help is also needed on Dec. 16 for set up and Dec. 17 the day of the event. Contact Durand at 513-265-7123 for details and to sign up.

Pine Island FISH (Fellow Islanders Sending Help) is an all-volunteer association of neighbors organized to help those living in the Matlacha and Pine Island Communities. Pine Island FISH is the lead agency in the Pine Island “Basket Brigade” programs, and also offers mobility equipment lending; non-emergency transportation and respite and in-touch information. There is no charge for FISH services, however, equipment and monetary donations are welcome.

To volunteer, donate or for more information about the organization, visit the website at www.pineislandfish.org.

Pine Island News

The School District of Lee County received an extension for the Emergency Purchasing Waiver to July 2023, which ...

BRANDON, Fla. – FEMA and the state of Florida are opening three new Disaster Recovery Centers in Lee County.

The new centers will open Sunday, Nov. 6 in these locations:

Pine Island - Phillips Community Park 5675 Sesame Dr, Bokeelia, FL 33922

Sanibel Community Church 1740 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957

Beach Baptist Church 130 Connecticut St, Fort Myers Beach, Fl. 33931

Hours for these centers will be 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Disaster Recovery Centers provide disaster survivors with information from Florida state agencies, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Survivors can get help applying for federal assistance and disaster loans, update applications and learn about other resources available.

There are several Disaster Recovery Centers operating throughout Florida’s designated counties. To find a center close to you, go online to: DRC Locator or floridadisaster.org, or text DRC along with your Zip Code to 43362.

Currently, all centers are operating seven days a week, hours may vary. No appointment is necessary to get assistance.

It is not necessary to visit a center to apply. Survivors can go online to disasterassistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call 800-621-3362. The line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.

Interpretation services and translated materials are available at these centers to help you communicate in the language with which you feel most comfortable. Disaster Recovery Center locations are chosen for their accessibility, with the goal of reaching as many people as possible.

In addition to the centers, FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are canvassing neighborhoods in areas impacted by Hurricane Ian to help residents apply for FEMA assistance and answer questions about federal assistance. DSA teams wear FEMA attire and have federal photo identification badges. There is no charge for service.

FEMA Individual Assistance can help with temporary lodging expenses, basic home repairs and other essential disaster-related needs.

ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration opened a Mobile Business Recovery Center at Phillips Park, on Pine Island, at 10 a.m., today, Oct. 24, to assist Floridians applying for SBA disaster loan assistance for losses due to Hurricane Ian that began Sept. 23.

The center will remain open until Oct. 29 at 7 p.m., when it will close permanently.

In Lee County, additional SBA Business Recovery Centers are located at the Kiwanis Club of Cape Coral, 60 Santa Barbara Blvd., and it is open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Friday Saturday and Sunday; and The Hub of SWFL, Inc., 25071 Chamber of Commerce Drive, Bonita Springs. It is open Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Our Business Recovery Centers are one of the most powerful resources at SBA’s disposal to support business owners in the midst of a disaster,” said Francisco Sanchez, Jr., associate administrator, Office of Disaster Assistance. “Business owners can meet in-person with our specialists to apply for SBA disaster loans and get information on the full breadth of our programs designed to help them navigate their recovery.”

SBA’s disaster declaration includes Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Saint Johns, Sarasota, Seminole and Volusia counties in Florida, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA.

Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Alachua, Bradford, Broward, Clay, Duval, Hernando, Indian River, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Saint Lucie and Sumter in Florida.

SBA Customer Service Representatives will be available as indicated above to answer questions about the disaster loan program and assist business owners in completing their applications. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the SBA has established protocols to help protect the health and safety of the public. All visitors to the BRCs are encouraged to wear a face mask.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ and should apply under SBA declaration # 17644.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app. If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362.

Disaster loan information and application forms can also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services) or sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded from sba.gov/disaster.

Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Nov. 28, 2022. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 29, 2023.

Pine Island News

The School District of Lee County received an extension for the Emergency Purchasing Waiver to July 2023, which ...

Johnson discusses bringing back Bert’s Bar and Grill

Bert’s Bar and Grill in Matlacha was more than just a neighborhood bar.

Owner Bernard Johnson describes it as a social gathering place for the community. Over the years, Bert’s forged a place in the hearts of many islanders and day-trippers looking to connect.

Thanks to Johnson, until Hurricane Ian destroyed the bar and grill, they were able to do just that.

“We’ll have to figure out how we’re going to come back, one step at a time,” Johnson said.

After Hurricane Charley, back in 2004, Johnson said they were able to re-open Bert’s after just a few days. With the damage caused by Hurricane Ian, though, he said he doesn’t know how long it will take to rebuild.

Bert’s Bar and Grill in Matlacha before Hurricane Ian struck the islands. Photo provided by Bernard Johnson

In fact, he said, the next step is largely dependent on conversations with insurance companies. Beyond that, he said, he’d have to work with architects and engineers to figure out exactly what to build and then go through all the county compliance as far as building codes to determine whether there’s a new Bert’s.

“It’s hard to commit and say yes or no to any of it until we’ve been through all the steps. But, we want to do it,” Johnson said.

He describes his staff as family, saying they are a great crew of people in a small town where everybody knows everybody. After having met with Gov. Ron DeSantis, Johnson said, he asked for the road leading onto Pine Island to be rebuilt.

“Thanks to Dane Eagle and the governor, and how lucky we were to have Honc headquarters right up the street — it’s just amazing how fast they got the road rebuilt,” Johnson said.

Rebuilding Bert’s is important to Johnson, he said, not because people need a bar, his desire is to give them back their neighborhood place, to be sociable and share the ups and downs of their lives, the way they have for all these years.

“After Charley went through, people would come there just to find out what was going on and talk to one another about what to do next,” Johnson said.

Pine Island News

The School District of Lee County received an extension for the Emergency Purchasing Waiver to July 2023, which ...