Storm scars: With Ian, Marco-area homes saw another side to hurricanes

In 2017, the roadsides were filled with roof tiles and tree branches, which were more densely populated by mattresses, furniture, and appliances from flooded houses compared to the debris seen last week. During Hurricane Ian on September 28, a storm surge caused dangerous waves of water to flood the area. Tarp City, like Hurricane Irma in 2017, severely affected the beachfront community and caused roofs to be blown off.

Additional Information: The dome homes in Cape Romano were submerged by Hurricane Ian.

Moreover, giving priority to providing food for family and neighbors is a primary worry for the proprietor of the Isles of Capri eatery, both prior to and following Hurricane Ian.

Problems take a slight turn

One problem is the uncomfortably high levels of humidity and heat, which make structures in Florida Southwest cities like Goodland and Marco uninhabitable. Additionally, there is no electricity or any relief from the extreme weather conditions.

There are several distinct urgent matters, yet, given its combination of Gulf-front tall buildings and relaxed communities with golf cart enthusiasts, the town has identified 302 residential and 61 commercial buildings that were affected by Hurricane Ian.

Assistant City Manager Casey Lucius expressed in an email outlining the city’s primary concerns that ensuring the safety of residents’ mobility and their ability to evacuate during emergencies is crucial. Currently, there are 21 condominium buildings with nonfunctional elevators.

All the vehicles, which were submerged in saltwater, were starting to rust and were certainly capable of shorting out, tempting the residents to yield to the temptation when they try to start them. In order to prevent the residents from inadvertently starting fires with their vehicles, golf carts should be stopped.

“Car 13 has been fired,” there have been emails from Lucius. “If it is in the garage, especially when starting a submerged golf cart or car, residents should be cautious,” Lucius’ email noted.

Certified builders: Every builder should be regulated by a single principle, and Lucius has advertisements appearing on Collier Boulevard, providing a wide range of services from roof replacement to mold remediation.

The cityofmarcoisland.Com website offers a page with updates on Hurricane under the County of Collier, which provides resources for the residents as well.

Its initial document is one containing guidance on employing contractors for repairs.

After the storm, it is important to inspect all the docks and seawalls that are mentioned in Lucius’ note. The city’s website provides the Manual Owner’s Seawall as a resource, which is available in May 2018. This manual describes the components that need to be correctly operated, such as anchors, deadman, wall, and French drains, to maintain the integrity of the seawall and relieve pressure. It is crucial to check the docks and seawalls for any post-storm damage.

However, the primary objective of these seawalls on islands such as Marco is to protect the land from the sea, rather than keeping it out.

More: ‘We refused to be deterred’: Nonprofit provides meals to thousands following Hurricane Ian.

More: Restoring Paradise: One week after Hurricane Ian, numerous individuals are still lacking essential necessities.

Many homes in Marco were purchased as a refuge for the winter and may be owned by part-time buyers who can enjoy their own income, or by parents who are ailing.

Paul Mikolinski walks past an entry wall where drywall was removed in his family

Paul Mikolinski, looking at the walls, said that the kitchen cabinet doors and floor must be replaced as they were nearly the same height as the half-shorn drywall. He’s hoping to see it again at his parents’ condo on the first floor of West Marco de Ville, but he regards it ruefully.

The condo upstairs, which had leaked, is being repaired further. After Hurricane Irma, Mikolinski’s parents, who are 65 years old, helped clean up and restore the condo, with Mikolinski’s partner also agreeing to assist. This is the second time Mikolinski has had to deal with such a situation.

“And with this cyclone,” he said, chuckling, “they’re never going to want to collaborate with me on anything again.

At that moment, Mikolinski’s mother might possibly be 89. He expressed that in regard to the condo board’s time projections for a complete restoration, “However, they are indicating 18 months,” we are optimistic (to restore them).” “According to his statement, he will be 92 by then.”

Squicciarini, resided in their residence located in the northern region of Charlotte, North Carolina. His mother and stepfather, Birgit and Art, expressed their gratitude for the absence of an automobile. He commented about the furniture, stating, “The entirety of it has vanished.”

“My mother is very upset. I told her, ‘Mom, I’ll see what I can rescue.”

For many owners of first-floor condominiums, the salvageable items were the kitchen cabinets on the upper level and the microwave.

After a hurricane, Cyndi Urbano, a 58-year-old resident of Hammond, Indiana, purchased the necessary supplies, including new wall panels and a stove, and transported them in a trailer. She anticipated that it would be challenging to find the necessities for a comfortable living environment in the aftermath of the storm.

“I enjoy being well-organized,” she stated. “I assumed I wouldn’t be able to acquire any of these items in this location.”

They fell in love with the place

They purchased the waterfront double-storey residence in Goodland without incurring exorbitant costs, allowing them to enjoy vacations together. Urbano, along with his wife, clarified that they have a total of five grown-up children. Their family has possessed the two-storey house for a mere 18 months.

“I remember saying, ‘It flows just like I do. I enjoy the layout. I fell in love with the hot tub,'” they could ski-jet; they could boat.

Urbano, Cyndi, and Ian sprang into action after inspecting their neighbor’s home. It was a heavy commitment this year. They could also rent out this beautiful house to help pay for it.

Urbano mentioned that they gained advantages from the previous owners’ encounter with hurricanes and also added a fortunate aspect of their own.

  • The outlets were positioned at a minimum height of 3 feet from the ground, which helps prevent numerous electrical issues.
  • The first floor was covered in concrete tiles, with minimal grout and easy cleaning after a hurricane.
  • The wall segments required less drywall for repairs because the drywall had been installed horizontally.
  • Following Ian’s destruction of the kitchen appliances on the ground floor, it was transformed into the primary cooking space, featuring a microwave oven that was installed by the Urbanos. As for the second floor, it now houses a kitchenette.
  • Johnetta Braunm, a homeowner in Florida, wryly reflected on her future as she observed the painters who had come to work alongside her friend Urbano. Currently, her husband and three workers, who were taking time off from their job, were bunking in the rental space.

    “According to my neighbor, he has experienced 19 hurricanes, but he has had to completely renovate his home only four times.”

    Homeowners: What to know

    As Marco Island residents embark on addressing inquiries about Assistant City Manager Casey Lucius, they should be aware of the repairs required for waterlogged homes and waterfront properties.

    What activities can residents engage in to remove items from their houses?

    Owners are not required to obtain a permit when removing drywall. They have the option to take appropriate precautions to avoid any harm or potential structural failure. Residents are encouraged to start eliminating any items or components that are essential in preventing additional harm or the growth of mold.

    Is there a maximum amount of drywall that can be removed?

    If you have any inquiries, please send an email to permitdesk@cityofmarcoisland.Com. To ensure the safety of the residents, we are willing to cooperate with property owners in order to uphold the fire-resistant divisions or address any fire risks. Therefore, residents are advised to contact the building official or fire marshal. However, this does not apply to fire-resistant structures.

    Is it necessary for someone to conduct an inspection before or after the completion of the task?

    In this particular case, it is not necessary to obtain permits for the replacement of insulation and minor repairs to the drywall, as long as these activities do not impact the structural or electrical plumbing mechanical cabinets. However, it is important to note that inspections and permits will be required before any remediation work is carried out.

    What is the restriction on bringing a trailer onto your premises for alternative accommodation?

    Trailers and RVs for living and sleeping are prohibited, however, City Council will evaluate this at their next meeting on Oct. 17.

    What inquiries do the residents have?

    Even though we do not have a street-by-street schedule, we will continue to pick up debris for a few weeks and ask many people about it since October 3rd.