Sanibel city crews are working to bring displaced sand back to Turner Beach after this hurricane season.
Sand is still piled high across the street from Turner Beach at the Blind Pass. Crews are working to get this sand back onto the beaches.
“There's a lot of a lot of sand to be moved there,” Sanibel Public Information Officer Eric Jackson said.
So far, more than 4,000 cubic yards of sand returned to Turner Beach. That is roughly 4,000 washer machines of sand they have dumped so far. But there is still more to go.
“It's really a continuation of recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene and Milton,” Jackson said. “There was a lot of erosion that occurred along that area by Blind Pass and Turner Beach.”
Crews are sifting through the displaced sand, removing the debris before putting that sand back so it can be used as a barrier for the next storm.
“Having strong, resilient beaches is important,” Jackson said. “And even though you see the damage that's caused when it comes in, the beaches have done exactly what they're supposed to do. Now it's just our job to put everything back in place.”
Business owners on Sanibel have this to say to crews out here working.
“We're happy to have you,” Billy’s Rentals owner Billy Kirkland said. “If we can do anything to help you, please let us know. I think most of the residents and visitors of the island really appreciate what you're doing.”
That way visitors, like Alicia McDermott, can continue shelling and enjoy the barrier island beaches once again.
“The sands are coming back now,” she said. “Even just being here for a few weeks. All the state is, like, starting to fill back. You can start to finally, like, almost make your way over to Bowman’s beach.”
Kirkland hopes this is a reminder to all to come back to Sanibel for vacations.
“Come to Sanibel and let us show you a great time because it's a tropical paradise,” he said.
The city will reopen Turner Beach once its crews wrap up here next week. This is just one part of the continuous cleanup efforts after this hurricane season.