Sanibel officials provide updates in press conference

Sanibel officials had a lot of updates for the island’s residents on Thursday in the wake of Hurricane Ian.

Dana Souza, the Sanibel city manager, began by thanking those who’ve been working since the storm for their help. He then brought up donations and said, the Charitable Foundation of the Islands will set something up on their website to help.

Souza then began talking about insurance and said that on Wednesday, insurance professionals came by to disseminate information that may be helpful to residents.

Souza mentioned that the damage assessment map has been updated and that all properties should have an icon on them. He then reiterated, “As we recommended before, if the assessment grade is destroyed, major damaged, or inaccessible,” would be considered unsafe.

Then, discussing the police department, Souza said the 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. curfew is still in effect.

Today was the second day that residents were able to get back to their property, and mentioned that more people participated on Thursday than did on Wednesday. Souza reassured people that this isn’t going to happen for just a day or two and that there is ‘plenty of time,’ to get back to the island.