Sunrise Rotary Helps Hurricane Victims

The Rotary Club of Marco Island Sunrise has been working to help those harmed by Hurricane Ian. President Bill Morris asked for volunteers to join in Rotary District 6960’s hurricane relief effort and the Club responded.

Morris led a team to Fort Myers Beach and saw firsthand the devastation of Hurricane Ian. Morris explained, “The storm surge on Marco Island was nothing compared to what Fort Myers Beach endured. The water was mid-window on the second floor of homes and left a lot of debris when it left.”

Morris had previously worked hurricane relief in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. He explained a different landscape in Fort Myers. “Katrina was a Category Five that sat on Louisiana and Mississippi for 24 hours with a storm surge of 28 feet that penetrated miles. It wiped out about two blocks that were completely gone. When we got there, the coastline was virtually empty. Ian was a Category Four with a surge of about 16 feet. It did not wipe things out so much as simply destroyed and left piles of debris with building shells. Big difference was that Fort Myers Beach has boats everywhere, in trees, yards and into buildings. Even those big boats to Key West were dropped by Ian on dry land. “

Traffic moved to the beach area slowly as most contractors, residents and volunteers all were forced to use one route. The other major route was blocked for FEMA and certain approved contractors.

The team spent the entire day removing debris from the home of a longtime resident. Included in the effort was removal of all kitchen appliances from the elevated home as all were destroyed by storm surge.

Closer to home, another crew led by Morris removed wet drywall and yard debris from homes in Goodland and Marco Island. The local homes were not severely damaged and both had full utility service restored by the time the Rotarians assisted. In contrast, power crews were installing completely new utility poles and lines in Fort Myers in the hope power could be restored soon.

The Rotarians were referred to the Goodland home by Sherri Morrison, working with the Goodland Civic Association. Sherri also brought tools to help with cleanup and cutting out wet drywall. While the Rotarians were working, other Goodlanders stopped by to offer help as well. “That was sure a difference from Fort Myers Beach,” said Morris, “Goodland was repair - Fort Myers was salvage.”

Sunrise Rotary continues to assist those in need.

The Rotary Club of Marco Island Sunrise is a diverse group with focus on local businesses and community service. It is comprised of a cross-section of the Marco Island area community, and new members are welcome. It meets at Stonewall’s American Bistro on Tuesday mornings at 7:00 AM. To become a Rotarian or for further information about the Rotary Club of Marco Island Sunrise and its activities, please contact Bill Morris at wgm@wgmorrislaw.com or visit the Rotary Club of Marco Island Sunrise website at www.marcoislandsunriserotary.org.