On October 22nd, forecasters predicted that Hurricane Wilma, at the time over the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico would make landfall again in Southwest Florida sometime within 48 to 60 hours. Mid-day Monday, October 24th seemed likely. Evacuation orders were issued for areas west of 41 in both Lee and Collier Counties. Obviously, Spanish Wells is not far from 41, so we began praying and planning... and tried to remain optimistic that the storm will weaken before making landfall, and resultant destruction will be minimized. The predictions indicated that flooding was likely to be our biggest problem. In preparation, all of the lakes and ponds in Spanish Wells were lowered, so that increased amounts of rain would lessen the potential for serious flooding in our community.
Ponds and Lakes within Spanish Wells Lowered In Anticipation of Flooding from Wilma
A Few Golfers Take Advantage of Opportunity to Hit a Few Balls Before Wilma's Wrath Puts a Damper on Play
A Lone Bird Sits Quietly, Almost as if Contemplating the Difficulties Which Could Lie In the Days Ahead
Many homes in the community were shuttered up, and many of the residents, some of whom arrived only recently, left the area until they are given an "all safe" to return home. We also evacuated to stay with friends in Lakeland, Florida. Early Monday morning, Wilma certainly did pass through, and leave its mark indelibly written on the landscape of Southwest Florida. Al & Colleen Gramentz and other Spanish Wells residents were kind enough to share the photos below, which were taken after seven hours of Wilma's relentless pounding within Spanish Wells. Many trees were uprooted and broken, pool cages twisted, roof shingles peeled off, and flooding was prevalent everywhere. As cleanup begins, the Spanish Wells residents we spoke to can only say "That's enough!... No more hurricanes here... please!"
All in all, Spanish Wells fared quite well, with respect to Hurricane Wilma. While 36 hours after the storm's passing, power was still out to much of Lee County, many in Spanish Wells never lost power for more than brief periods. Las Brisas and Marbella were still without power, but damages in the community were minimal, and cooler temperatures made things a bit more tolerable.
To view a slide show of some of Wilma's aftermath in Spanish Wells,
If you have questions about your property, in particular, feel free to contact us, and we'll try to give you on update on its condition.
This Website has been designed and maintained by Spanish Wells resident
Marti Timple ~ John R. Wood Inc., REALTORS ~ (239) 405-1608
Email me at: TheTimples@InsideSpanishWells.com