Hurricane Ian — For many, the Hurricane of a Century
Many of our friends and family were in a once-in-a-lifetime storm, Hurricane Ian, that hit their homes in West Central Florida on September 28, 2022. Fortunately, all have survived, including a wonderful thirty-year-old horse belonging to one of our family members since it was a foal. Additionally, we have a friend who had planned on trailering his four jumping horses to his barn outside of Ocala, Florida. Thankfully, he decided to wait, even before the hurricane hit. Most friends and family lost power only, but like millions, were unable to communicate with the outside world for an unimaginable number of hours. Since there is no power, for many, all shops that are open can only take cash. Numerous flights have left other parts of the country for Florida with cash for their friends and family.
Hurricane Ian has destroyed coastal regions in Florida. At least 60 have died and over one million people are without power. The death toll has risen to higher than ever before, and thousands of people are seeking help because of Hurricane Ian. The fear is that many more have died and may be in the hundreds according to our family members. Pictures of trees uprooted, homes destroyed, unimaginable flooding, upturned boats has occured.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said the storm caused a “500-year flooding event” and that the coast guard was rescuing residents from the roof. Communities across Florida are or will be heavily affected by the water from this storm.
President Joe Biden said that Hurricane Ian could be “the deadliest hurricane in Florida’s history.” The government has vowed to provide help for the duration of the recovery, ensuring it will take as long as necessary. Biden said that the numbers are unclear, but early reports indicate a substantial loss of life after he was briefed by FEMA. Earlier on September 27, 2022, the Biden Administration accepted a major disaster declaration for Florida, making federal funding readily available to nine counties affected by the Hurricane. This declaration constitutes 16 rescue helicopters, six aircraft and 18 rescue boats as well as Coast Guard crews. The president urges Americans in Hurricane Ian’s path to obey all warnings from emergency officials and to heed the president’s warning that the danger is real.
Another area close to our hearts consisting of Fort Myers, Sanibel and Captiva islands and Cape Coral, suffered “catastrophic damage” from the storm, officials said in their update, indicating that 98% of the county remains without power.
Fortunately, search and rescue crews from local agencies are engaged in recovery efforts and the 15 shelters opened prior to the storm’s arrival remain open.
There are about 6,400 people living in the City of Sanibel. The islands are home to a number of hotels and resorts because of all the tourists that come to visit during the year. A City of Sanibel count reports that bridge traffic is over three million vehicles each year.
Regarding our friend on Sanibel who faced the full force of the hurricane, we determined rescues had been conducted on Sanibel Island. Rear Admiral Brendan McPherson, commander of the US Coast Guard’s Seventh District, said the Coast Guard had been looking in and around Sanibel Island. According to CNN, the Admiral said that in some cases people were found safe and waved the Coast Guard off. But in other cases, people were not so fortunate. Our dear friend thankfully who lives on Sanibel and is 78 years old did survive. It is clear that their home did not fare as well. She went up to the third floor below a roof that thankfully did not blow off. Even though their home was on the opposite side of the island and high up relative to other homes, water surged sixteen feet, and came up at least two floors until the waters finally abated.
Hurricane Ian created storm surges which washed away sections of the Sanibel Causeway and severed the connection between the Florida mainland and islands. Two portions of the ramp leading to both bridges were washed away according to videos from the causeway as well as a stretch of roadway that crossed an island near the center of the causeway. A portion of the Sanibel Causeway Bridge, located in Florida, was damaged last Thursday and still remains closed today.
For many residents, Fort Myers Beach was their home and their livelihood. Now the horrific hurricane has utterly decimated everything. Most of the known hang-outs are destroyed.
In addition to other islands, Fort Myers Beach took the brunt of Hurricane Ian’s force on Florida’s coastline. The storm was a Category 4 upon landfall with 150 mph winds and a towering storm surge ripping through the town’s center.
Hurricane Ian becomes a hurricane again after it hammered the Florida coast with rain and winds on Thursday. It is now around West Virginia with small rainfall.
