Cape Coral Shliach is Operating Without Electricity And Water

By COLlive reporter

Cape Coral, Florida, has been devastated by Hurricane Ian, with the entire area flooded, power lines down, and many homes filled with three feet of water.

“The day after the storm, the city looked like a war zone,” said Rabbi Yossi Labkowsky, Director of Chabad of Cape Coral with his wife, Rivky. “There were power lines down, trees uprooted, and many people’s homes and cars are flooded.”

Even without running water or power, Chabad of Cape Coral has been working round the clock to assist the local residents, when no other rescue services were available.

“We spent the first day rescuing people from their flooded homes with the help of Hatzalah,” he said. “Many were calling us to ask us to check on their relatives and loved ones whom they could not reach,” he said. Chabad has been arranging for temporary shelter for many residents whose homes are uninhabitable, and are working on finding more permanent living arrangements for many people.

With many locals homebound with their cars submerged in water, Chabad has been arranging to deliver meals. They are also hosting meals for over 200 people daily, as well as Shabbos, when they held Davening in the Shul with the aid of huge flashlights.

With the holy day of Yom Kippur coming up, Chabad of Cape Coral announced they will be hosting prayer services this year as usual, even without power or running water, which authorities expect to take a few weeks to restore in the decimated area.

Rabbi Labkowsky is hoping a commercial generator will be obtained to provide power to the entire building during the services.

With food scarce in the area, Chabad centers in nearby cities have been sending food and meals, such as Chabad of Boca, Kosher Central and Chabad of Walnut Creek.

In all the devastation, some miracle stories have been shared with the Shliach.

“One of our friends sent me a picture of the area surrounding his business, all of which were wiped out – and his remained standing. He was sure that it was in the merit of the Mezuzos that were installed,” Rabbi Labkowsky said.

Another man called him during the eye of the storm, sheltering with his terrified family as 180-mile-an-hour winds pounded his home.

“I asked him if he had a Mezuzah on his door, and he said he had a Mezuzah in the home but had not hung it yet. Over the phone, I recited the Bracha with him and helped him hang the Mezuzuah,” Rabbi Labkowsky said. “He called me afterward and said he did not have hurricane-proof windows, and somehow his home escaped any damage – not one broken window. He was sure it was the Mezuzuah which brought him blessings and safety,” he said.

To help Chabad Cape Coral with hurricane relief efforts, click here.