Tropical Storm Andrea drenches the island, but no damage reported

By McKenzie Cassidy

Tropical Storm Andrea brought a week’s worth of gloom and rain to the islands, but didn’t inflict any significant damage.

Kathleen Rooker, administrator with the Captiva Erosion prevention district, said there was some sand loss due to the storm. The district begins its beach nourishment project this summer to preserve the beaches from tropical storms and hurricanes.

The Sanibel City Manager’s Office reported no damage to the city even though a tornado watch was declared on June 6. City officials are currently monitoring the amount of rain fall in the Kissimmee Basin which flows into Lake Okeechobee, because it will eventually reach the estuaries of Southwest Florida.

According to WINK-TV meteorologist Katie Walls, the rainy season officially started on May 26, which is about average for Southwest Florida.

“The rainy season is determined when we have three consecutive days of dewpoints over 70 degrees and the afternoon stormy pattern set up,” Walls said.

Walls said the rain bands associated with Andrea could’ve produced waterspouts of small tornadoes, with 2 to 4 inches of rain expected, and the possibility of flooding.

So while Andrea isn’t expect to pack as historic wallop on the areas, don’t get too jaded or complacent, Walls said.

“Do go sightseeing, because if they’re in the wrong place at the wrong time, you never know,” Walls said, “Unfortunately, most of the deaths office because they’re sightseeing and they want to play in the waves.”

Sanibel-Captiva Islander (June 19, 2013)