Strong tides following the new
moon in March were intensified by
high winds. They raged over the
eroding beach and flooded Tarpon
Pass Estates. At that time, about 20
families lived in the small community
of houses and shacks, and most of the
families were employees of the
railroad, The Gasparilla Inn & Club and
some private homes.
On March 17, 1983 Tarpon Pass
Estates residents had just removed
their vehicles and evacuated as best
they could when the storm hit at
approximately 2 p.m. Island residents
Barbara Seitz, Nat Italiano, Rich
Caccavale and Dumplin’ Wheeler
were part of an evacuation
committee that helped out. While
some people were helping to find
shelter for the displaced, others were
sending folks to the St. Patrick’s Day
fundraiser for a local wildlife group,
underway at the Boca Grande
Community Center. While the storm
roared everyone hunkered down to
enjoy green hot dogs and buns, green
punch and green cake and ice cream
provided by the Gasparilla Island
Conservation and Improvement
Association.
After the storm the community all
chipped in to help, as they always do.
Hudson’s Grocery was made available
24 hours a day and provided food at
cost, and other donations were made
by Isabel Joiner from Whidden’s
Marina and Tommy Parkinson from
Boca Grande Fishery.
In all, there were 26 evacuees who
bedded down at the Community
Center that night, some without
pillows and blankets … but safe just
the same.
Not even a week later another
storm threatened the island with
heavy wind and rain. That time 34
people were evacuated from Tarpon
Pass Estates – and this time the
Community Center was ready with
enough pillows and blankets for all.
The Red Cross stepped in as well and
brought food, and local minister Ben
Williams brought in coffee for all.