If you’re a regular reader of my blogs, you know I visit Ft. Myers and Bunche Beach for my ocean fixes. Living in Arizona, a land-locked state, I feel ocean-deprived, which is difficult for a biologist who started her career training to be a marine biologist.
I stay in my late mother’s house in Palmetto Palms RV Resort. It’s located two miles inland and on the road to Sanibel. You might have heard about this area in the news lately. Several hurricanes have passed over that area in the past, but the damage was always done by the wind and rain. Every year, the residents are warned about the storm surge, but the surge never materialized…until this year. Despite the nearly 150 mph wind and the heavy rain from hurricane Ian, the area was destroyed by the storm surge.
The Gulf of Mexico moved inland, picking up debris (a lot of it created by the water’s passage) and raw sewage as it went. The RV park was ultimately submerged in 12 feet of water. It is believed that all 685 units will have to be removed as unrepairable. As we grieved for the loss of our south Florida bit of paradise, our belongings, and gatherings with our neighbors, one question was frequently asked: What happened to Bubba?
In the middle of the park is a lagoon surrounded by mangroves. A boardwalk transverses the lagoon, allowing people to observe local wildlife, such as birds, turtles, fish, and an occasional alligator. At the beginning of the boardwalk near my house is a wooden bear statue, named Bubba. Bubba has been in his spot for years and was dressed up in different outfits, especially for the holidays. This is Bubba on July 4, dressed up in his patriotic finery.
*photos posted on Facebook Palmetto Palms Friends page.
Notice the healthy mangroves behind him; these are at the edge of the lagoon. The grassy area provides a buffer between the water and the houses. With the usual afternoon summer storms, the water would rise a few inches but then drain away.
With the mandatory evacuation as Ian approached, Bubba’s caretakers had undressed him and said goodbye. Everyone expected to be back the next day, but sadly people had to wait several days to return. The first people back waded through residual flooding, still up to knee level. The destruction was extensive, and it was many days later before anyone could reach the area where Bubba resided.
Amid the despair, we were all relieved to know that Bubba had survived. This is Bubba after Hurricane Ian.
Hopefully, the rain will cleanse him of the salt and sewage he was immersed in. See the destroyed mangroves behind him. Also notice the part of a building now resting on the boardwalk, suspended by the tree branches (red arrow).
Even though Bubba survived, the park may not. It hasn’t been decided if the park will be allowed to rebuild. If not, I hope Bubba finds a good home. I’m sure he will, like many of the native animals of Florida, he’s a survivor.
If you’d like to learn more about the flora and fauna of Florida and nearby Bahamas and Cayman islands, download one of my many educational workbooks.
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