Some say it’s a hidden gem. Others call it home. Boca Grande is one of many coastal communities in southwest Florida recovering from Hurricane Milton.
For the first time since Milton, Fox 4 Senior Reporter Kaitlin Knapp was escorted onto the island by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Watch below to see what the island looks like:
‘It’s like building a sandcastle’: Boca Grande recovering from ANOTHER hurricane
When you go over the Causeway, you will find flooding and debris. On the south end is South Beach Bar and Grille — an island staple.
“We’re going to try and open it as to-go since we don’t have any water and sewers yet,” said Mimi, the restaurant’s executive chef. “A lot of people need a job.”
They have 42 employees, all waiting to go back. It’s a song and dance they’ve been through before.
They’ve been battered by Ian and Helene. Five weeks ago, they reopened.
But now, Milton has shuttered the doors again.
“It was a big like ‘oh no'”, Mimi sighed. “It’s like building a sandcastle and getting destroyed every high tide.”