Thank you for all the prayers and support over the past two weeks. Your prayers and encouragement have lifted many, including myself. The physical and emotional strain has been challenging; but we are okay and getting a little better each tomorrow.
Power was just restored to casa del Sundance, and thankfully the electrical restoration did not encounter damaged internal wiring as reconnection was accomplished. Many others are not as fortunate. When the power comes back on it is always a mixed blessing. Thankfulness is accompanied by a sense of guilt in knowing there are so many still without basic utility services.
According to the LCEC utility company 42,906 homes are still without power. There is zero restoration on the barrier islands (7,400 homes on Pine Island and 10,946 on Sanibel). Major infrastructure repair work is underway on the islands as the effort to remove debris continues. Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel and Pine Island will be rebuilding for a long time.
Water restoration services are still underway throughout the county and boil water notices still present for many areas. There is joy in the simplicity of taking a hot shower in your own home and having the ability to wash clothes changes the outlook on a task many consider a chore. My prayers continue for those who have a long way before that simple joy returns.
There are no words adequate enough to express appreciation for those volunteers who organized field hygiene stations, portable showers, cooling tents, and even laundry services in community parks and neighborhood parking lots. Trust me, this is an underappreciated and valuable resource needed during emergency operations. Related to this, please remind yourself to include topical antiseptics and skin creams in your own hurricane or emergency kits.
It is also appropriate to give a huge shout of appreciation to the small engine mechanics who keep all the generators, power saws, winches, tools and chainsaws buzzing. One small piece of equipment that stops working can have a major cascading impact. Those who use Lava soap nightly, and undress in the utility room so they don’t drag the smell of diesel and gasoline inside, are another underappreciated crew.
Coincidentally, I had the good fortune to run into the deployment teams who establish internet services for emergency operations. These are the cool cats who quickly deploy satellite systems, including Starlink, to get the emergency communications networks up and running. They have a seriously important job, and they are extremely good at it. That Starlink system is pretty spiffy.
Residents are being allowed back onto Fort Myers Beach now. That’s a good thing. That likely means the search crews are optimistic every structure has been searched and cleared. A survivor was found alive last Thursday under the rubble, eight days after the storm. FMB Residents are being allowed to look for belongings and retrieve personal items, but they will not be staying there. There are zero utility services.
Pine Islanders are picking up the pieces and preparing for the long-haul of restoration. Sanibel will likely begin the same once access to the island is reestablished. Prayerfully and stunningly, an interim roadway system may even be completed this month.
After a full day of sleep yesterday, I will be returning to more regularly scheduled postings now on events leading up to the midterm election. There’s still a lot of work to be done in/around my community, but the immediate emergency aspect is in the rear view.
I have missed you, our Treehouse family, and I am looking forward to our conversations again. Thanks to the site admins Ad rem, Stella, WeeWeed and Menagerie for keeping everything afloat.
Above all, my deepest and most sincere appreciation to YOU. I am thankful for the opportunity to deserve your support and fellowship.
Love to all,
~ Sundance
Thank you for the update. I am so happy things are improving and basic necessities of life are returning. It makes the long haul easier. Please continue to take care of yourself. You remain in daily thoughts and prayers.
Sundance,
It’s good to hear your situation is improving.
I would also like to thank the site admins Ad rem, Stella, WeeWeed and Menagerie for continuing to keep the lights on in your absence.
Your story has been about your challenges requiring you to take things one step at a time (the two feet in front perspective). I find inspiration in hearing about your story and the story of all those who came to help.
We can draw parallels from the mess in your coastal community in Florida to the mess we face as a nation. The challenges and cleanup required in your coastal community sometimes seems overwhelming requiring you to focus on the closest task at hand. As you forge ahead you can see others doing the same. You also see the best of humanity where people come from all around to help or send supplies from all around to help.
It’s times like these where we can draw inspiration and know things are going to be ok, not only in your coastal community but in our country as a whole. There are far too many who want to do good to be overpowered and conquered by those who want to do bad.
We have a long road ahead rebuilding. It starts with the two feet in front of you. Get ‘er Done!
God Bless.
Welcome back Sundance and happy for your incremental recovery!
Thanks for the news. I am on west coast. All good to you and CTH.
Please rescue the Vizsla that is stuck between the 2 birch trunks.
Or send me an email, and I’ll come get him.
Yes and please let us know how how he is.
Welcome back. We sure did miss you, too.
I am saddened by your understanding of the lesser known up front and personal recovery details. Not all are left to celebrate Thanksgiving. For some the losses were the greatest.
I’m also encouraged by the unity, generosity and commitment of many. What we safely pray and hope for, you’re reporting is happening.
Appreciation and acknowledgement – a well of Hope. So many walking into an unfamiliar landscape carrying wisdom, confidence, new skills, new friends with them. A unique experience. I suspect each one involved changed again.
When Mom’s speak about childbirth people listen to their wisdom and warnings; they hear the authority that was birthed as well.
Very glad to hear that conditions are improving or “getting a little better” for sundance and others.
I expressed my hopes previously that sundance’s et al recovery back to “normal” would be much quicker and more successful than expected. In the absence of miracles that is the best possibility.
God Bless all those that are still engaged in the recovery efforts and sincere condolences to all the families with loved ones that didn’t make it to the recovery stage.
Early in my career, I was part of a team working to design a temporary transmission line to bypass a failed transmission tower. This project was critical, as the failed structure could not itself be replaced in time to meet system demands.
Meanwhile, the remnants of hurricane Frederick came through our city as a tropical storm and caused significant power outages.
The next morning – while everyone else worked storm restoration – the above team remained assigned to the critical project.
Sundance – your work in Florida was necessary; but your mission here is critical. Glad you’re back!
Such good news and so sad about those who died. RIP
That Starlink system is pretty spiffy. –Whatever you might say about eccentric Elon Musk, his heart is in the right place ito sending Starlink to help people’s communications in disaster zones. Thats special.
A survivor was found alive last Thursday under the rubble, eight days after the storm. -THAT is amazing. Hopefully there are more.
God bless and keep you Sundance ! I am so thankful y’all are a safe and will resume posting !
So proud of your service to the SW FL community. You are one of my most respected heroes. God bless God Speed. Namaste. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Thank you Sundance for the work after the hurricane Ian and the hurricane obama 3.o.
They both caused destruction that we’ll all have to recover from soon.
So happy to hear that you are well and recovering your home.
God bless and keep you!
We live on FMB – thrilled to be back on island and looking forward to the best season ever – I don’t expect any guests just hardcore homeowners Enjoying their piece of paradise – next 5 months are perfect for living outdoors , lots of grilling and rebuilding –
Been in it 2 weeks and couldn’t be more excited for each day for it brings opportunities and miracles with many a satisfying moment-
Thank You to all have who helped In any way ,prayers are being answered constantly in SW FLA –
Well done team.
Onward Christian Soldiers
Sundance mentioned the role of Starlink in the crisis. I was buoyed by what that means to all the rescue work, restoration of electricity, a million++ affected people contacting long distance family, students taking zoom classes, medical personnel contacting peers, online banking and paying bills by credit card, checking in on the war and just staying connected. It’s who we are in America. In every state.
The future of Starlink is being debated. I don’t have a position yet. Responsible evaluation of the extraordinary ability to place 30,000 more could generate important cautions and considerations.
This link https://www.pcmag.com/news/too-many-satellites-astronomers-voice-concern-over-second-gen-starlink
includes astronomical photos of the satellite’s pathways, the number of satellites now (5,400) and planned (30,000). Looking at all the photos was a surprise.
From the UK, thank you for the first-hand reports. So much of what we see here is slanted to highlight the medias agenda. Your words are the simple truth. Bless you, your fellow Floridians and all the helpers from out of state for you are the True America.
Steadfast. 🤠
Florida commentary from Alex
https://nitter.net/alex_fasulo
What all of this brings to the fore is that civilization, both ancient and modern, is based on burning hydrocarbons. Every single emergency vehicle, generator and chainsaw used to push back the devastation and darkness uses oil based fuel. The main RO water system on Pine Island was never damaged (designed for a Cat 5 strike) but only lacked diesel to push water into the system.
In addition, while many are amazed at the speed of recovery, we really shouldn’t be! Removing all the government red tape and allowing Americans to “do what they do” is powering these amazing feats of engineering.
Finally, while still on generator (I repaired water main and propane line Sunday), the view from Summer Camp after Ian is uninterrupted for 360 degrees!
Hurricanes and Global Warming: Historical facts on American weather
 
Direct link to video: https://3speak.tv/watch?v=rairfoundation/ekksrcge
Thank you for your series of informative, eloquent, insightful, and faith infused updates on the Hurricane Ian recovery efforts. I truly appreciate them.
Also, thank you for personally partaking in the recovery efforts by helping others in need.
Everyone impacted by Hurricane Ian remains in my prayers.