Amazon adds Sanibel Island to its 'unique places in the world' list for deliveries
Believe it or not, Sanibel Island and the Grand Canyon have something in common.
Amazon has identified Sanibel as one of its "unique" places for deliveries. It took the devastating Category 4 Hurricane Ian for the Lee County barrier island to earn that status, putting it next to the Grand Canyon and other locations around the world where dropping off packages can be a little tricky.
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In a press release the company issued on the one-year anniversary of Ian (Sept. 28) it said the Sanibel Island was "famously hit hard by last year's Hurricane Ian" and "the community is a resilient one that is filled with strong, determined people."
One of them, the release said, is Sony Michael. Michael lives on Sanibel and also happens to be a delivery driver for Platinum Logistics Service, an Amazon Delivery Service Partner (DSP).
His role in delivering critical tools and supplies needed for the recovery efforts, as well as for Amazon customers’ daily lives, has been a crucial part of Amazon’s efforts in helping the Sanibel community get back on its feet in the past year.
"There have certainly been challenges that our delivery drivers have faced while going into places like Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach, which were devastated in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian," said Keith Alger, Senior Station Manager for Amazon’s Delivery Station in Fort Myers. "For example, when we were finally able to enter these areas, drivers were many times delivering to locations that were difficult to access due to debris or washout, and some locations just weren’t accessible due to various conditions. At times, drivers also had issues delivering to locations because of damaged street signs, damaged address on buildings, or simply because the building didn’t exist anymore."
Drones are becoming a new option for making deliveries, but no drones were needed to make delivers since Ian hit company spokesperson Greg Rios said.
It's already been a long, challenging year since Ian hit and there's still much more to do with the recovery efforts on Sanibel and other locations in Southwest Florida.
"I think our delivery drivers and all Amazon employees in the area understand that we are on the front line in the recovery effort and are doing all we can to help the community one package at time," Rios said.
One of those employees, Michael, said he's felt the appreciation from the Sanibel residents and business owners.
“Yes, I’ve had customers approach me and thank me for the work I do for the community and the island," Michael said. "A few select customers on my route have even thanked me for delivering their orders, and have told me that they are very grateful and blessed to have me be a part of the rebuilding efforts from Hurricane Ian.”
What are examples of other locations Amazon considers unique for delivery?
Grand Canyon, Arizona: Amazon delivers to Phantom Ranch, a lodge at the bottom of the Grand Canyon that can only be reached by mule, on foot, or by rafting the Colorado River.
Frying Pan Tower, North Carolina: 30 miles off the coast of North Carolina in the Atlantic Ocean, Amazon deliveries, including biodegradable golf balls, are made by chopper to a 5,000 square foot former U.S. Coast Guard tower that’s now a research and preservation site, and extreme travel destination.
Monhegan, Maine: A World War II-era boat transports packages to Monhegan, an island 10 miles off the coast of Maine.
Mackinac Island, Michigan: Packages are delivered by way of a horse and dray carriage on this island where cars and trucks have been banned for over a century.
Styria, Austria: In this ski town, orders are delivered on skis to local hotels and cabins in the snowy months by a man known as “Heli” to hotels and cabins several months per year.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Amazon lists Sanibel Florida as one of its unique delivery places
