Tropical Storm Debby has brought pummeling rain, high winds and extremely rough surf the last few days. The islands of Sanibel and Captiva have lost power a few times with just a few downed trees but no major problems for us…. well, except flooding. I haven’t found any great shelling spots yet (I know they will be here soon!), but I did find lots of flooded parking lots and streets as I tried to scout the beaches. Until I find the shells, I thought you would want to see what our normally beautiful islands look like during this crazy storm. Please stay safe everybody!
I love these videos. They make me smile, even when they’re about a serious topic. Hope everyone stays safe and dry.
I LOVE YOUR PRODUCTIONS. seriously, i live on the East coast of Florida and you have better reports than the weatherman !!! Thank you.
I’ll be over shortly when things subside a bit.
Love, Love, LOVE the videos. Keep them coming. When I hear about the storms down there, I’m green with envy. What treasures will you be finding in the coming days?
GREAT video, Pam!! One question – how long after the storm do you think the shelling will be really good? You know we arrive late next week and I’m hoping we can get in on the good treasures!!
Glad everything was okay for you guys on the island!! :)
Only Mother Nature knows when she’ll show us the shells but as soon as I know, I’ll keep you updated. Come on seashells ;)
Great video!! Stay safe! Do you think we should worry if we are coming to Sanibel on Monday? My hubby is worried about my upcoming trip w my friend and her 2 kids. He wants me to start finding a back-up plan.. :( or is it possible things could die down by then? I know you aren’t the weatherman, lol.. Sherri from MN
Sherri, I’m sure y’all will be fine. There were lots of people on the beach today watching the gulf brew… it’s a real show! There’s really not much real danger now… although I wouldn’t suggest getting in the gulf for a swim right now or wade through all the flood water. It’s still windy but it will be calming down and I don’t think we’ll have much more rain. Come on Down!!!
Thank you! My friend and I were just chatting about it.. You are making me feel much better! Thanks so much for all your wonderful info!! Sherri
Debby was really a downer! Darn her! So sad that your beaches washed away like ours. I’m an audubon society volunteer for the beach nesting bird season… a majority of our nests, eggs, hatchlings and pre-fledges didn’t make it thru the storm. Those that did at one site, were picked up by well meaning people and taken to the bird sanctuary, but reintruduction rarely works. Turtle nesting sites have all been washed away and our beaches have been eroded quite a bit. I haven’t been back up to the dredge/renourishment site on Sand Key but I’ll be betting that those condos who hadn’t been fortified yet are feeling the fear of falling into the gulf.
On the brighter side… your video production skills are awesome!!! :-)
Yes, I’m sorry to say that so much of the beaches are eroded by this storm and the nests have been flooded. the beach in front of the Mucky Duck is completely washed away up to the dunes. It’s like a 2 foot ledge. Leah, can the eggs survive with the tide just briefly washing over them without being under standing water? That’s what has happened on some beaches. Oh I do hope so.
WOW …. GREAT VIDEO PAM,,,, LOVE iT
I am forwarding your site to all family and friends….so much better than my IPHONE videos I have been taking….Thanks Pam…yoiu covered it perfectly for ‘ Sunny Sanibel ‘ Great !!!
Wow, and Debby is just a tropical storm…hurricanes must be totally devastating! Thanks for the video, Pam. Stay safe! Looking forward to more posts about the post-storm shelling! Blessings to all the Sanibelians (sp?)
Thanks for the video Pam. I hope you are all safe and sound. We’ve just gotten drenched here in Tampa but are starting to see a little peek of sun now.
I’m so bummed for my sister and her family who just arrived into Tampa and are driving down to Sanibel tomorrow. I hope that they will still have a nice visit! :) I still can’t wait to go down this weekend!
Great post Pam. Sad to see the damage and think of the bird and turtle casualities. I hope it starts easing up soon.
You captured the affects of a tropical storm well. Good to see that in spite of the beating Sanibel will weather it. Hurricane Andrew chased my family out of S. Florida so I relate all too well to this footage.
I agree with others that your video really keeps us in the know better than the news! Thank you, I live full time in VA and have a home in the area, that I don’t get to as often as I would like. I care about what is happening down that way. Wishing the best for all. Until I get there again, I’ll be dreamin’
Forget dancing in the streets~once the waters subside, they’ll be shelling in the streets on Sanibel! Stay safe Pam! More videos, please! :)
I love shelling productions. That is so cool Pam. Your talents never cease to amaze us. I love seeing all the favorite shelling spots, just wish they weren’t under water.
I too will take the drive as soon as you give us the news and am glad you and Clark were safe.
So sad! Pam, I noticed that Production Direction was credited to God Almighty — Mother Nature might be his Co-Producer??? Agree with the writer noting this is a Tropical Storm and not a Hurricane! I feel terrible for residents and especially bad for people vacationing as such an inopertune time!
Cindy from MN, Mother Nature is credited with “Written By”. She is in control of everything that happens! LOL
Wow!! We were just there from June 9-23 and the storms were just brewing out in the Gulf at that point!! I sure hope some of the sea turtle nests survive…what a mess!!
Hi Pam!!! We arrived from St. Louis on Sunday & I have been following your blog for awhile in anticipation of our trip! We have gotten ourselves out as much as possible and are managing to get some great shells (by St. Louis standards of course!) in spite of Debby! We have been using your site to identify our haul! Thanks for your blog! Hope the good shelling gets here before Saturday! ;)
heatherpride, It makes me sooo happy that you are getting good use out of my identification page!!! Thank you for telling me! I’m sure the shells will show up before you leave…. I’m hoping too.
Thanks for posting this Pam – It’s amazing to see it. Glad y’all are ok!
Great video! I imagine shelling will be great also. Thank you for keeping us all informed.
Stay safe and dry my friend……
We were thinking of making a day trip down from MacDill this week….has any of flooding the public parking lots recended so there is available parking?
We had a chance to come down for a couple of days last month and the video brought some good memories.
Thanks
There is plenty of parking in the other lot at the lighthouse. Gulf Side City Park and Bowman’s are fine too so parking shouldn’t be a problem!
Wow, great video Pam. Love the credits…how ya do that??
I wish I could be there when it calms down and the shells start to come in.
I know you will keep all of us up to date when the time comes.
Thank you Pam for this blog it makes us all smile til we can get back to Sanibel and find our own treasures.
Glad your all safe.
hoping for advice re the best months to visit :0)
You are so talented Pam!! I love your productions. I hate seeing what Debbie is doing to my dream home. Stay safe and happy shelling when all is said and done!
How long does it take the beaches to come back? Praying not too long!!
Love the video! Wow, what a mess that TS left behind – and how much erosion happened, especially on Captiva.
Bob and I left the 26th to head back to TN – could hardly stand to leave when I KNOW there will be lots of good shelling soon….it was so neat to watch the wave action during the windy days. I had to wear my “rubber” water shoes home as they were the only DRY pair I had left! I can’t stay out of the water…. So glad the storm wasn’t any worse – we just finished (almost) remodeling our new little home on the island….can’t wait to get back where it is cooler (it will be 102 here in TN this week-end….ugh….)