Relief efforts for the hurricane-ravaged Pine Island were underway with some 15 pallets of supplies collected at Naples Airport in Florida yesterday, the airport authority reported today. The Southwest Florida barrier island was pummeled by Hurricane Ian last week and the lone bridge linking to it was heavily damaged, though the state today said temporary repairs to make the bridge passable are expected by Saturday.
“We are overwhelmed by the generosity of our community, which itself is still recovering from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Ian,” said Naples Airport Authority executive director Chris Rozansky of the collection efforts. “In one day, the community came together and collected more than 15 pallets of critically needed food, water, cleaning supplies and more for the people of Pine Island.”
The suppliers were originally set to be delivered by air, but the airport authority said, “Due to the tremendous response, the decision was made to take the supplies by boat rather than aircraft. Truck and boat transportation will be undertaken by Operation Airdrop and the Cajun Navy.”