About

GPIA: Dedicated to the long-term recovery of Pine Island

On Sept. 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian pounded greater Pine Island with nearly 150mph winds for more than 12 hours. By the time Ian — one of the strongest storms to ever hit Florida — finally moved on, the Island’s communities were devastated. Five islanders had lost their lives, 90 percent of the buildings — including homes and businesses — were damaged, with 20 percent of them classified by county officials as having “major damage” and 3 percent as “destroyed.”

The Island was also cut off from the mainland when road leading to the Little Pine Island bridge was washed away. Cut off, and with no on-Island government or other coordinating entity to address the community’s immediate needs, Islanders and Island-based nonprofits sprang into action as neighbors helped neighbors in the immediate aftermath of the storm.

Over the days and weeks that followed the Hurricane’s devastation, Island-based and visiting nonprofits continued working to help Islanders recover, but one thing became clear: The Island needed a central clearinghouse of information and activity to help coordinate recovery efforts of numerous organizations — both local and those from outside the community.

By October, Islanders Aaron Barreda and Jay Sanderson began developing the Greater Pine Island Alliance to work within the community to:

1

Reduce duplication of services;
2

Maximize efficiencies;
3

Connect volunteers and nonprofits providing services with those in need;
4

Develop funding sources and provide material support for recovery.

In December 2022, the Greater Pine Island Alliance was incorporated as a nonprofit 501©3 organization with the mission to provide leadership and coordinated management of the long-term recovery efforts for Greater Pine Island and to provide long-term assistance to individuals and businesses affected by the disaster who do not have adequate personal resources to meet their basic needs. Organizational goals include:

1

Developing a structured organization to coordinate long-term Hurricane Ian recovery for the community;
2

Interfacing with county, state and federal governments to share information on unmet needs and help ensure that resources are reaching intended users;
3

Working closely with local and visiting nonprofit organizations and NGOs and grow collaborations and coordination among groups;
4

Helping the community develop resiliency to be better equipped to deal with future disasters.

Teaming Up for Resiliency Planning

In 2024, the GPIA is partnering with the Greater Pine Island Water Association to seek funding through the $1.1 billion Community Development Block Grant that Lee County received for Hurricane Ian recovery.

GPIWA has submitted one application on behalf of the GPIA for a planning grant that will help with Hurricane Ian recovery and, especially, resiliency planning for future disasters.