As we hope is the case for our island neighbors and all members of the SCCF and Sanibel Sea School family, our staff and interns are all safe and accounted for following Hurricane Milton.

Several SCCF staff members were able to access Sanibel Island on Thursday afternoon for an initial assessment of our properties. While most buildings were dry, including the Sanibel Sea School buildings and our SCCF Headquarters (pictured above), we did experience flooding at several properties.

• Native Landscapes & Garden Center / Bailey Homestead: The Honey House and garage each have a little less than a foot of water inside. The Bailey home is dry.
• The Wilmeth Cottage, where we are currently housing our interns, has water inside both low-lying rooms.
• The Marine Lab has some missing siding, some water inside, and several hydrostatic vents were blown out. SCCF’s research vessel, the Norma Campbell, looks to be in good shape.
• SCCF’s HQ building is dry, despite flooding in the parking lot.
• The Wildlife & Habitat Management building is dry.

In addition to cleanup efforts, SCCF will be assessing Milton’s impacts on our islands’ wildlife, water quality, and ecology.

Sanibel Sea School, the Native Landscapes & Garden Center, and public trails, are closed until further notice. We will update you as soon as we have re-opening dates.

Tickets did NOT go on sale this week for SCCF’s signature Wines in the Wild event as originally planned. An update will be issued soon.

We are sending our thoughts to all our island and Florida neighbors impacted by Hurricane Milton.

Since 2020, Sanibel Sea School has been part of the SCCF Family.