The Dunes Is Recovering – Hurricane Ian Update 11.2.22

November 2, 2022

It’s been more than a month since Hurricane Ian decimated the homes, golf course and clubhouse facilities of The Dunes community on Sanibel island. Thankfully, all Dunes Golf & Tennis Resort staff was safe and accounted for after the storm. We have been able to retain most all of our employees, who, now, are going above and beyond each day to brave an island without power and water and endure the long and arduous process of rebuilding. And rebuild we will, to an even greater standard of excellence. It hasn’t been easy, our recovery began with our staff chartering boats to assess the damage just days after the storm. A local paper included a video of our first look at the devastation in their article which included flooded facilities, salt-water soaked greens and vegetation and the curious addition of a hot tub on the 18th green. Two weeks later, approximately 15 of The Dunes golf carts caught fire due to their lithium batteries being submerged in salt water from Ian’s storm surge. Fortunately, the Dunes staff had pushed all golf carts out of the cart barn as a precautionary measure and no additional damage was done. Three weeks after the storm destroyed the Sanibel Causeway Bridges in three places, repairs were expeditiously completed allowing first responders and business owners/residents access to the island. Fema trucks roll through neighborhoods daily removing mountains of debris, and, Lee County Electric Cooperative and Island Water Association continue to work to restore services. A curfew remains in effect from 7am till 7pm daily. It will take every resident, business, organization, and branch of government possible to return Sanibel Island to its true spendor. But we will get there. Today, a 500-gallon tank arrived at The Dunes and we’ve begun hand watering the course. Inside the clubhouse, damaged fixtures are still being removed. Outdoor furnishings have been sanitized. We are taking it one day at a time. Stay tuned for more updates on our recovery and how you can help Sanibel Island heal from this once-in-a-lifetime storm. #Sanibelstrong #HurricaneIan #Dunesgolfsanibel