englewood beach and yacht club hurricane ian

'It's like a war zone': Residents start to rebuild after Ian's wrath in Englewood, Florida

ENGLEWOOD, Fla. – Stunned Suncoast residents have begun the daunting task of cleaning up and rebuilding following the devastating passage of Hurricane Ian .

The storm's eye blasted ashore Wednesday along this low-lying coastal area between Sarasota and Fort Myers that's popular with retirees for its low-cost housing and typically balmy weather. Mobile home parks sit next to million-dollar houses.

“It’s just so sad to see everything broken. I knew it was going to be bad but this made me cry a bit," said Jayme McDonald, 42, a nurse who worked through the storm and returned home after the worst had passed. Friday morning, McDonald and her neighbor Rachel Allen walked their dogs through their partially flooded neighborhood off Old Englewood Boulevard.

LIVE COVERAGE: 'Herculean effort' underway to rescue Floridians; Ian targets South Carolina

Allen, 34, owns a cleaning business and stayed home during the storm, which nearly shook their house apart. Their living room flooded, and her husband has already begun tearing out the flooring and walls, hoping to prevent the growth of black mold in late-summer humidity. 

“We’re waiting to get ahold of the insurance company. But cell service is just so spotty so it’s just kind of wait and see," she said.

A few blocks away, Kevin Pruett, 42, surveyed the massive pine tree that had collapsed across the yard of his single-story home. Pruett regretted not evacuating and worries about how long it will take to restore electricity and running water. People are already scrounging for drinking water and searching in vain for gas, and in some cases dipping water from retention ponds to flush their toilets.

“You’re talking weeks or months to get electric," Pruett said. "There’s not enough materials or workers in the world to get it done faster.”

As of Friday morning, about 1.9 million customers in Florida were without power, officials said. 

HURRICANE IAN TRACKER:   Charting the path of where deadly storm will hit next

Like many residents who rode out the storm, Pruett said he believes it will have forever altered the area's social fabric. All around him, mobile homes have been tipped on their sides, steel street signs folded over like paper. More than a foot of water – with two alligators, officials said – blocks one of the main roads.

“It looks like a war zone. It feels like we’re in Ukraine. It’s sickening. It will take months to recover, years," said Don Brockley, 76, who has lived in the area off and on for 20 years. “For old people, it’s going to be hard. This was considered a once-in-a-lifetime hurricane.”

Brockley and dozens of others waited outside a Lowe's home improvement store early Friday, trading rumors of whether there were generators or plywood in stock.

Bill Fairbairn, 63, hoped to buy tarps to cover a gap where his carport tore away from his mobile home, exposing the room to the outside. Fairbairn moved to Florida from upstate New York a year ago to escape the snow and cold.

"It’s been great right up until yesterday," he laughed. "I’m one of the few luckier ones. For some people, it blew the walls out, and some places just collapsed. At least mine is still standing.”

Sitting on the front patio of his home at the Florida Pines Mobile Home Court, Monty Covert puffed a cigarette and waited for his brother-in-law to return with beer. Asking the time – 7:15 a.m. – Covert good-naturedly complained the liquor store should have opened 15 minutes earlier.

Covert is retired from the Navy, sailing the world on a tugboat. He credits his military service with his ability to adapt to the drastically changed neighborhood and his somewhat fatalistic approach to life. Covert had planned to evacuate but early-arriving winds knocked down trees on either side of the driveway, blocking his escape. He slept through the storm.

“I said I’ll either get up alive or not at all," Covert said. "And then it got to be daylight and yeah, you always see it on TV and think things like this aren’t going to happen to you. And then it does.”

Covert said the only damage his home suffered was the loss of the porch's metal roofing, crediting the mobile home with being built of stronger materials five decades ago. For him, the worst damage came after he decided to drive his truck through the storm surge to check on his former wife. He got stuck in the deep water, he said, and because he can't walk well, good Samaritans had to carry him to safety 300 yards away.

He now regrets going to check on her.And he's wondering whether to repair the damage or collect an insurance check.

“Do you rebuild or do you just condemn the place and move on?” he asked, stubbing out his cigarette.

A little later in the morning, Pruett once again looked at the damage – from the submerged cars to the downed power lines and the trees laying across roads and yards and driveways.

Pruett said he normally splits his time between landscaping and crypto mining, but with the power out, he's going to be spending less time at the computer in the coming days.

“It’s time to get the chainsaw rocking."

More coverage of Hurricane Ian

• What you can do:  How to help those affected by Ian in Florida
• Reverse storm surge:  Why did water leave Tampa Bay during Hurricane Ian? 
• What to know: Biden warns oil industry against gas price gouging

Photos show Hurricane Ian's impact on Englewood, Placida and Boca Grande

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Map: Where Hurricane Ian Hit Florida Hardest

By Lazaro Gamio ,  Ashley Wu ,  Albert Sun and Malika Khurana Sept. 29, 2022

Hurricane Ian made landfall as a Category 4 storm on Florida’s southwest coast on Wednesday afternoon, sweeping away homes and communities.

Fort Myers Beach, a coastal city on a barrier island, was among the areas hardest hit, with storm surges nearly reaching the roofs of some houses.

Areas in blue show where

estimated storm surge flooding

may have exceeded six feet

Data is as of 5 p.m. Eastern on Sept. 28

Port Charlotte

Punta Gorda

Path of Hurricane Ian

Landfall was reported

near Cayo Costa on

Wednesday afternoon.

Pine Island bridge

was damaged.

Caloosahatchee R.

Portions of the

Sanibel Causeway

Heavy damage

was seen along

Fort Myers Beach.

Bonita Springs

North Naples

County officials said half of

the streets in Naples were not

passable because of flooding.

County officials

said half of

the streets in

Naples were not

passable because

of flooding.

“When you look at Fort Myers Beach in particular, there’s no words to describe it,” Sheriff Carmine Marceno of Lee County, Fla. , said in a press conference Thursday afternoon.

Mobile homes were particularly hard hit. Many homes were uprooted and tossed along with other debris.

The storm also destroyed sections of at least two bridges in Florida’s southwest coast, the Sanibel Causeway and Pine Island Bridge, which connect the mainland to two barrier islands near Fort Myers. Gov. Ron DeSantis said that both bridges would require “structural rebuilds.” A spokesperson for the Coast Guard confirmed that crews flew over Sanibel Island on Thursday to airlift some people to safety.

Steve Helber/Associated Press

Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

Johnny Milano for The New York Times

Sean Rayford/Getty Images

Mr. DeSantis called the storm’s impacts “historic,” and President Biden has designated federal agencies to help with recovery efforts. Officials are still working to assess the extent of damage caused by the storm and its subsequent floods, as reports emerge of destroyed homes, damaged power lines and disrupted water supplies.

Hurricane Ian makes landfall in Florida with catastrophic strength: Live updates

Ian has made landfall in southwest Florida's Lee County after it strengthened into a brutal, historic-sized Category 4 storm, with top winds of 150 mph — just shy of the most dangerous Category 5 status — and a threat of a surge of up to 18 feet in the Fort Myers area. The National Hurricane Center is imploring people to go inside and stay there .

Here's what we're following:

• More than 1 million electricity customers are without power .
• The storm sucked water away from the shore, drawing gawkers. It will surge back with a vengeance , the National Weather Service says.
• Hurricane hunter pilots are shocked by what they've seen from Ian. The trip was “ the worst I’ve ever been on ,” said one veteran pilot.

Local updates: The latest from Miami ; The latest from Tampa Bay

Stay informed while conserving your phone battery and data usage, visit NPR's text-only site .

Right now, stations all across Florida are serving their community with vital information during this crisis, and more stations are pitching in as the storm moves up the coast. Reporters across the NPR Network provide news that serves as a lifeline to affected communities during disasters and beyond. Your donation makes a difference. Can you make a contribution ?

Our live coverage has ended for the day.

Fort Myers and Naples implement citywide curfews

By Russell Lewis

Fort Myers and Naples have ordered citywide curfews in the wake of Hurricane Ian.

In the Fort Meyers announcement , the police department says the emergency curfew will be in effect beginning at 6 p.m. local time for the next 48 hours.

It says the curfew is to “protect and safeguard the health, safety and welfare of residents, visitors and first responders.”

The Naples Police Department don't specify a timeframe for the city's curfew; it says it is "effective immediately until further notice."

Hurricane Ian makes 'mainland' landfall in southwest Florida

The National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Ian has made "mainland" landfall south of Punta Gorda near Pirate Harbor. Maximum sustained winds at this landfall are estimated at 145 mph.

Earlier this afternoon, at about 3:10 p.m. ET, Ian first made U.S. landfall near the island of Cayo Costa, according to the NHC.

The storm remains big and powerful. In Cape Coral – to the south -- sustained winds have been measured at 112 mph (that’s category 3 strength).

Florida's coast is also seeing massive storm surge. The NHC warns that the stretch of coast from Englewood to Bonita Beach could see storm surge of up to 18 feet if peak surge happens at the same time as high tide.

Ian is tied for the fifth-strongest hurricane by wind speed in U.S. history

By Joe Hernandez

Hurricane Ian is one of the strongest hurricanes by wind speed that’s ever made landfall in recorded U.S. history.

Data shared by meteorologist Philip Klotzbach of Colorado State University shows Ian tied for fifth place among hurricanes by landfall wind speed.

According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm came ashore Wednesday afternoon near Cayo Costa with sustained winds of 150 mph.

Table showing all continental US landfalling #hurricanes with max winds of 150+ mph. #HurricaneIan is in a tie for 5th with multiple other hurricanes (most recent one was Ida (2021)) for strongest winds on record at landfall. pic.twitter.com/LViiPLYloq — Philip Klotzbach (@philklotzbach) September 28, 2022

Other recent storms with record wind speeds are Hurricane Ida and Hurricane Michael, which took the fourth spot for strongest hurricane by landfall wind speed when it came ashore in 2018.

The strongest hurricane by recorded wind speed was the Labor Day storm of 1935, which registered 185 mph at landfall, according to Klotzbach's data.

More than 1 million Florida electric customers don’t have power

Hurricane Ian has started knocking out the lights.

More than 1 million Florida electricity customers didn’t have power as of late afternoon Wednesday, according to the website poweroutage.us .

Ian made landfall in Lee County with sustained winds of 150 mph, and state officials had warned residents that the powerful storm would likely result in widespread power outages.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state had around 42,000 crew members on standby to help restore power when the conditions were safe.

More than 20 are missing as a boat carrying migrants sinks off the Florida coast

By Joel Rose

Authorities are searching for at least 20 people after a boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of Florida, the U.S. Border Patrol said Wednesday afternoon.

The chief Border Patrol agent in Miami, Walter Slosar, says four Cuban migrants swam to shore on Stock Island, near Key West, after their boat sank as Hurricane Ian churned through the region. Slosar said on Twitter that the Coast Guard is searching for 23 more people.

The Coast Guard later tweeted that crews had rescued three people at sea about 2 miles south of the Florida Keys. They were brought to a local hospital for symptoms of exhaustion and dehydration.

The dangerous eyewall of Hurricane Ian passed west of the Keys before making landfall in southwest Florida with sustained winds of 150 miles per hour.

Immigration authorities have seen a surge in the number of apprehensions at sea, as thousands of migrants from Cuba, Haiti and elsewhere have boarded flimsy boats in a desperate attempt to reach the U.S. As the number of people fleeing by boat has risen, the number of tragedies has climbed as well .

Flamingo déjà vu

By Helen Acevedo, WLRN

In a repeat of one of the most iconic images from 1992's Hurricane Andrew, staff at the Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg, Fla., have shared a photograph of their flamingos hunkering down in a bathroom as Hurricane Ian approached.

🦩🌀We're hunkered down! Our animals are safe w/staff on site to see them through the storm. The flamingos are having a hurricane party in the bathroom; eating, drinking, & dancing. 😉 Stay safe out there! pic.twitter.com/ejCuuRUdma — SunkenGardens (@SunkenGardens) September 28, 2022

This image is strikingly similar to one shared when zookeepers at ZooMiami — then Miami Metrozoo — scrambled to create a hurricane shelter for their flamingos in a restroom after the storm demolished their habitat.

Of the countless images I have captured in my life, none is more iconic than this one. I can't believe it has been 30 years since Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida. I'll never forget capturing this image of the zoos flamingos huddled in the ladies restroom for protection. pic.twitter.com/iACXIBivSm — Ron Magill (@RonMagill) August 24, 2022

On the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew, award-winning photographer Ron Magill spoke to WLRN about that memorable photograph.

For the latest from the Miami-Dade area,  head to WLRN.

Fifteen Florida hospitals and 130 long-term care facilities are evacuated

Roughly 350 patients in 15 Florida hospitals under threat from Hurricane Ian have been evacuated as of Wednesday afternoon, state officials said.

Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration Simone Marstiller also reported that 3,508 residents had been evacuated from 40 nursing homes and 3,012 residents had been evacuated from 91 assisted-living facilities.

In a media briefing , Marstiller said the administration was working with partner agencies and organizations to make the transition as smooth as possible for residents.

“Our health facility reporting system is also used to find where there are vacancies in other facilities,” she said. “Many of these nursing homes, in particular, have sister facilities elsewhere in the state, so it makes that kind of transfer a lot easier and less stressful on the individuals who have to change their environment.”

Marstiller said officials were also working to ensure that health care facilities maintained appropriate temperatures and safe conditions for patients and residents throughout Hurricane Ian.

Hurricane Ian officially makes landfall in southwest Florida

The eye of Hurricane Ian has come ashore near Cayo Costa, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm has sustained winds of 150 mph – which is a major category 4 hurricane.

The catastrophic storm has lashed southwest Florida all day long, bringing non-stop winds and a torrent of waters flooding in from the Gulf of Mexico. Even though the eye of Ian has officially come ashore, it will continue to smack the region for hours before it makes its way slowly inland at just 9 mph.

Unrelenting and devastating floodwaters continue to pummel Naples, up through Fort Myers, the islands of Sanibel and Captiva, and into Charlotte County. Photos and videos on Twitter show waters at or above roofs in some areas. Cars have floated away, roofs have ripped off and some houses have lifted off their foundations. The hurricane’s outer bands continue to fling tornadoes which are on the ground for brief periods of time.

An extreme wind warning remains in effect for most of southwest Florida.

As of now, more than 800,000 homes and businesses in Florida are without power.

Ian joins a rare club. Only four hurricanes have hit the continental United States with winds greater than 155 mph.

Hurricane or no, Lois Bastien is going for a run

By Liz Baker

Hurricane Ian didn't keep 86-year-old Lois Bastien, who lives outside St. Petersburg, Fla., from her daily run. She had a record to keep: Every single day for the last 42 years, Bastien has run at least one mile.

"I decided I'd wait to daylight because things will blow, even wires will blow down," she says. "But then when it got to be daylight, it started raining pretty hard!" Bastien says, examining her soaked sneakers.

As she sped 1.5 miles through the waterlogged streets of the Sunset Palm retirement community, Bastien's boyfriend, Richard Dawley, trailed behind in his car.

"All I'm doing is I'm following her to make sure nothing happens to her. Power lines down or whatever it could be. I want to make dang sure she gets home safely," Dawley told NPR.

Maybe a treadmill run tomorrow?

"I'm not sure I'd like to do that, that feels like cheating," Bastien says and laughs. "Tomorrow might be the end of my streak."

Footage shows the storm surge in Fort Myers Beach

Dramatic footage from Estero Blvd in Fort Myers Beach shows the storm surge and hurricane-force winds as Ian makes landfall in the immediate area.

As the Weather Channel's Mike Bettes shared , a camera 6 feet off the ground in Fort Myers Beach, Fla., gives a rare first-person view of Hurricane Ian approaching landfall.

*RARE* first person view of storm surge. This camera is 6 feet off the ground on Estero Blvd in Fort Myers Beach, FL. Not sure how much longer it keeps working. You’ll see it live only on ⁦ @weatherchannel ⁩ #Ian pic.twitter.com/WwHtvgVxjY — Mike Bettes (@mikebettes) September 28, 2022

Tampa mayor tells residents to remain vigilant, it's the 'calm before the storm'

By Mark Schreiner, WUSF

We’re not out of the woods yet but we’re thinking of our neighbors who will be hit even harder by #HurricaneIan . I spoke to the Mayors of Ft. Myers, Sarasota, Naples and Punta Gorda to wish them the best of luck and let them know Tampa stands ready to support. pic.twitter.com/70Yotk0ff6 — Jane Castor (@JaneCastor) September 28, 2022

As Hurricane Ian approached southwest Florida, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor asked people to remain vigilant, saying, "we're not out of the woods yet."

“You know, it may be calm outside, we've seen the waters recede in Tampa Bay, some people are out taking the photographs along Bayshore (Boulevard). But that is the calm before the storm,” she said at a news conference Wednesday morning.

"We're still going to see, more than likely, unprecedented flooding in our area with 18 to 20 inches of rain water coming in later this evening. And we're also going to have tropical storm force winds and possibly Category 1 hurricane winds here in the Tampa Bay area."

Castor warned of downed trees, flooding and power outages — and told people if they haven't evacuated by now, they should stay where they are.

Tampa Police Chief Mary O’Connor urged people not to drive through flooded streets, saying that most vehicles will be flooded by as little as 6 inches of standing water.

O’Connor also said the city is enhancing penalties for those charged with property crimes during the storm, pointing to two people arrested Tuesday night outside an IKEA furniture store.

“They had numerous burglary tools in their possession, walkie-talkies, flashlights, it appeared they were definitely planning on doing something at the IKEA,” she said. “They were charged accordingly.”

For the latest from the Tampa Bay area,  head to WUSF .

Category 5 hurricanes are rare in the U.S. There have only been 4 in its history

By Scott Neuman

Ian is just shy of a Category 5 storm as it inches closer to official landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast. If its winds increase even a little, that would put it in an exclusively destructive club of storms that pack winds of 157 mph or more. So far, only four storms have been recorded at such an intensity as they made landfall in the continental U.S. — three in Florida and one in Mississippi.

The National Hurricane Center describes Category 5 storms like this: "Catastrophic damage will occur: A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months."

Although Category 5 storms are by definition the strongest, hurricanes such as Katrina, which made landfall near New Orleans as a Category 3 in 2005, and Maria, which made landfall in Puerto Rico as a Category 4 in 2017, have often been more devastating in loss of life and financial impact.

Here's a look at four storms that hit the U.S. as a Category 5:

1935 Labor Day Hurricane Landfall: Florida Keys on Sept. 2, 1935 Deaths: 409 people Damage: The storm cut a 40-mile-wide swath from Key Largo to just north of Marathon. Most structures in the affected area were obliterated and the Keys were inundated with 15 to 20 foot storm surge.

Hurricane Camille Landfall: Mississippi on Aug. 17, 1969 Deaths: More than 250 people in multiple states Damage: Across southeast U.S. all the way to Virginia. Most of the damage was from fallen trees and power lines, with coastal destruction due to storm surge.

Hurricane Andrew Landfall: Miami on Aug. 24, 1992 Deaths: 23 people Damage: More than 50,000 homes were destroyed and an estimated $26 billion in damage. At the time it was the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history.

Hurricane Michael Landfall: Florida Panhandle on Oct. 10, 2018 Deaths: 8 direct deaths Damage: Wind and storm surge caused catastrophic damage, particularly in the Panama City Beach and Mexico Beach areas.

Read more here.

Biden warns energy companies not to use Ian as an excuse to hike prices

President Biden is warning the oil and gas industry not to raise prices on consumers impacted by Hurricane Ian.

“Do not, let me repeat, do not use this as an excuse to raise gasoline prices or gouge the American people,” he said. “America is watching — the industry should do the right thing.”

The storm, which was a Category 4 hurricane as of Wednesday afternoon, would only have a brief, small impact on production, the president suggested.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden was scheduled to visit FEMA headquarters on Thursday to receive a briefing on federal response efforts related to Hurricane Ian.

Earlier on Thursday, the administration said FEMA had pre-staged 110,000 gallons of fuel and 18,000 pounds of propane across the impacted region and readied generators that could be used to help power critical infrastructure.

How to prepare for and stay safe during a power outage

By Rachel Treisman

Authorities have warned that Hurricane Ian will bring significant power outages to Florida.

More than 316,000 electric customers in the state had lost power as of just before 2 p.m. ET, before the storm officially made landfall, according to a tracker from poweroutage.us .

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a briefing early Wednesday afternoon that "not every power outage will be created equal across the state in the next few days."

He stressed that a storm of this magnitude can not only knock down power lines, which can be repaired, but also uproot infrastructure in a way that requires restoration.

Crews will go out to assess the damage, and go looking for people who may be in harm's way, as as the storm passes and it's safe to do so, DeSantis added.

Here are some of the resources you can use to stay informed as the storm progresses.

In the meantime, there are things you can do to prepare for a power outage. FEMA recommends the following tips:

• Find alternate power sources , like batteries and portable chargers or power banks, to use when the power goes out. Make sure each member of the household has their own flashlight — the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends battery-powered flashlights and lanterns as opposed to candles and gas torches, to minimize fire risk.
• Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges. Also, install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup in central locations throughout your home to alert you to possible carbon monoxide poisoning (more on that below).
• Prepare food and know how to store it. FEMA advises maintaining several days' supply of nonperishable food and water, and keeping your fridge and freezer closed. It says a fridge will keep food cold for about four hours, and a full freezer will maintain its temperature for about 48 hours — you can use a thermometer to double check, and should toss the food out if the temperature reaches 40 degrees or higher.
• Know your medical needs and make a power outage plan for any medical devices and refrigerated medicines. Ask your doctor for guidance about life-critical medications, including how long certain medications can be stored at higher-than-recommended temperatures.

After the storm passes you'll probably want to haul out your portable generator, if you have one. But don't do so before reading up on safety tips — using them improperly can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning , which can be fatal after just a few minutes (and kills some 85 people each year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, or CPSC).

In fact, after Hurricane Laura struck Louisiana in 2020, data revealed that more people died from carbon monoxide poisoning than the storm itself.

Here's what you should and shouldn't do when it comes to operating a portable generator safely, according to the CPSC:

• Never use the generator inside a home, garage, basement or shed (even if the windows are open).
• Only use a generator outside, placed at least 20 feet away from your home and directed so that the exhaust goes away from your home and any other buildings someone could enter. A porch is still considered too close. Any windows and doors in the path of the exhaust should remain closed.
• Read the labels, instructions and warnings on the generator and in the owner's manual. You can also watch a CPSC public service announcement on generator safety in English and  Spanish .
• Install battery-operated CO alarms on each level of your home and outside separate sleeping areas. If any go off, get outside immediately before calling 911.
• Recognize the most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, which include headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion.
• And, if you're going to be buying or replacing a portable generator anytime soon, look for one with a carbon monoxide shut-off safety feature . They're designed to turn off automatically when high levels of CO are present.

Here's what Florida's Lee County is telling its residents as Ian nears

By Dustin Jones

Emergency management services in Lee County, where Fort Myers is located, has ordered residents to shelter in place as Hurricane Ian makes landfall in southwest Florida.

Lee Country Emergency Management said in a statement that residents should stay inside until the storm passes and first responders can make sure its safe to venture outside. Evacuation is no longer an option.

The category 4 storm's high winds could produce destructive waves and storm surge as high as 16 feet from Englewood to Bonita Beach.

According to the statement, residents should seek refuge in an interior room in the home, putting as many walls between them and the outdoors. People should stay away from windows and skylights, and beware of calm conditions when the eye of the storm passes over.

The county noted that the National Hurricane Center warned of these conditions:

• Catastrophic wind damage is expected beginning in the next few hours.

• Structural damage to sturdy buildings, with some complete roof and wall failures.

• Heavy rainfall will continue to spread across the county and will intensify, resulting potentially lifethreatening flooding.

• Large trees snapped or uprooted and many roads impassable from trees and debris.

• Destruction of mobile homes and manufactured homes.

• Widespread power outages.

• Tornados also are possible.

Water and other services are halted ahead of Hurricane Ian’s worst impacts

By Bill Chappell

Officials in Venice, Fla., turned off the city’s drinking water Tuesday night, looking to protect its water plant and other infrastructure from Hurricane Ian's damaging effects. Customers were told to prepare for the outage by filling jugs and bathtubs with water.

“When the storm's windspeeds drop below 35mph, staff will look for leaks” and work to restore service, the city said .

Other utilities in Sarasota County , which sits between Fort Myers and Tampa, are taking similar steps. Once the water is turned back on, they say, customers will need to boil water for 48 hours to be sure it’s safe.

911 and emergency services were also halted on Wednesday , with officials saying winds topping 45 mph made it too dangerous for responders' vehicles to travel.

Hurricane Ian sucked water away from Florida's coast as it moved north

Hurricane Ian delivered an eerie omen to coastal Florida residents Wednesday morning as the powerful storm's winds pulled massive amounts of water away from beaches and shorelines, exposing the seabed that's normally covered by feet of ocean water.

Spectators and photographers gaped at the suddenly remade coastlines — but the water is expected to return with a vengeance: The latest storm surge estimates predict up to 12-18 feet of water above ground level hitting an area from Englewood south to Bonita Beach, the National Hurricane Center said.

"IMPORTANT NOTE: The water WILL come back," the National Weather Service office in Tampa said via Twitter , as it urged people not to walk out to explore areas where water has receded.

When it does arrive, the high water "will likely be accompanied by large and destructive waves," the NHC said.

Read more on why hurricanes pull water from shorelines .

Some Florida cities are suspending municipal services in preparation for the storm

Some Florida cities are preemptively shuttering municipal services ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Ian, which is expected to produce dangerous weather conditions across the peninsula.

Many had mandatory evacuation notices, though officials in some areas warned residents who stayed behind not to try to leave Thursday morning, as the hurricane was by then too close to make travel safe.

Cape Coral, on Florida’s southwestern coast, suspended emergency services and closed city offices, while Lee County canceled school. Fort Myers called off all city meetings and set up shelters for residents.

Sarasota County canceled trash collection and shut off water services on Siesta and Casey keys. In Collier County, which was also bracing to be struck by Ian, transit services were suspended on Wednesday.

Even areas not in immediate danger from Hurricane Ian were preparing for the possible impacts of the storm.

Orlando closed city hall , suspended garbage pick-up and closed public schools and libraries. Miami-Dade County, on Florida’s southeastern coast, also shut its public schools .

Hurricane hunter pilots are shocked by what they've seen from Ian

By Merrit Kennedy

Hurricane hunter pilots are accustomed to experiencing chaotic flying conditions — which makes the stunned reports of those who have flow into the center of Hurricane Ian so noteworthy.

Nick Underwood, who flew into Ian on NOAA’s Kermit aircraft, said the trip was “the worst I’ve ever been on.”

“I’ve never seen so much lightning in an eye,” he wrote on Twitter . He posted an image as light as day — but the light comes from lightning, because the picture was taken at night. He and his colleagues were dropping drones to take measurements of the storm.

I have flown storms for the last six years. This flight to Hurricane #Ian on Kermit ( #NOAA42 ) was the worst I’ve ever been on. I’ve never seen so much lightning in an eye. This was the eye. You can see the curvature. Understand this is at NIGHT. The light is from LIGHTNING. pic.twitter.com/cfZ9ls6YD3 — Tropical Nick Underwood (@TheAstroNick) September 28, 2022

“Absolutely wild,” Underwood added. “I’m glad we only did one pass.”

Another flight, a weather reconnaissance mission with the Air Force Reserve, also reported extremely chaotic flight conditions. Dave Malkoff from The Weather Channel was on the plane.

“We hit hail, massive turbulence in the eye wall that dropped us 1000+ feet,” Malkoff tweeted . “It was NOT even calm inside the eye.”

Malkoff shared images of what appeared to be hail damage on the plane's nose, and added that the Air Force Reserve pilot described this flight as the “worst ever.”

Crazy #HurricaneHunt ! Our @USAFReserve 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron just landed. We hit hail, massive turbulence in the eye wall that dropped us 1000+ feet and saw #hurricaneIan rapidly intensity. It was NOT even calm inside the eye. ✈️➡️ Biloxi ➡️ Florida 🌊 ➡️ 🌀↩️ pic.twitter.com/hKmkBnL2kx — Dave Malkoff (@malkoff) September 28, 2022

Here are ways you can stay informed about Hurricane Ian

Emily Alfin Johnson

As Hurricane Ian comes ashore, officials are urging people to get inside and prepare to ride it out.

Here are some of the places you can check for more information as the storm progresses:

Sign up for alerts

You can sign up for real-time alerts by making sure your phone is set to receive emergency alerts from local, state and federal public safety authorities, as well as downloading the FEMA app .

Get state and local updates

You can follow the Florida Division of Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook , as well as the websites and social media pages of your county government and emergency management.

You can also monitor the social media accounts of the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service .

The National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration has this handy list of Hurricane Ian resources (including forecasts, evacuation and shelter information, maps, accounts to follow and safety resources) all on one webpage .

Check NPR and your local station

If you want to stay informed while conserving your phone battery and data usage, visit NPR's text-only site at http://text.npr.org .

Here's how you can keep up with your local station:

Tampa Bay ( WUSF )

Miami ( WLRN )

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A new satellite image clarifies where Hurricane Ian is headed

By Jaclyn Diaz

A new satellite image from the University of Wisconsin-Madison posted this morning offers more clarification as to where exactly Hurricane Ian may hit when it makes landfall on coastal Florida near Fort Myers.

The image comes from the university's NOAA's Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies. The institute shared the image on Twitter, offering a better look at Ian's size as it approaches the Florida coastline.

Sharing this coastline/map toggle to aid in geographic clarification as Hurricane #Ian makes landfall. Explore for yourself via @UWSSEC RealEarth at https://t.co/JDXuHo7gZk #FLwx #HurricaneIan pic.twitter.com/UiQtosai0U — UW-Madison CIMSS (@UWCIMSS) September 28, 2022

The outer eyewall of Ian has reached Florida's Sanibel and Captiva Islands. The storm has sustained winds of 155 mph — a Category 4 hurricane.

'The worst is not yet here': Hillsborough, Pinellas county officials warn residents to stay sheltered

By Rick Mayer, WUSF

The “worst is not yet here,” Pinellas county officials said in an email Wednesday morning. “Our area could experience wind speeds up to 110 miles per hour, storm surge and heavy rain through Thursday morning.

Dangers remain until Ian has passed through the state.

“As the storm moves slowly across Florida, conditions in the Tampa Bay area are expected to worsen throughout the day, even if the storm remains to the south, Pinellas officials said.

Flash flooding and strengthening winds have combined to create hazards making it no longer safe to be on the road, Hillsborough officials said in an email Wednesday morning.

Residents are also urged to continue sheltering. Do not attempt to relocate to a county emergency shelter or any other location.

“Breaks in the weather do not mean the storm has passed,” Pinellas officials said.

Emergency officials will announce when shelter-in-place and evacuation orders are lifted.

Officials included these reminders:

• If you do experience an emergency, call 911 and report the issue. Emergency crews will respond as soon as it is safe to do so.
• If there is a need to take cover, find an interior room away from windows and skylights. Bring water into your safe room in case you cannot exit due to storm debris.
• If flooding is a threat, turn off electricity at the main breaker.
• Keep cellphones and electronic devices charged in case of power loss. Checking in with family through texting or social media can be more reliable than phone service.
• In case of electricity loss, flashlights or chemical sticks are safer to use than candles.
• Keep storm shutters and windows closed until the storm has completely passed.
• Once storm conditions subside, do not leave your home until officials announce that it is safe.
• Emergency responders, equipment, and partner agencies are in place and ready to respond.

For the latest from the Tampa Bay area, head to WUSF .

Miami International Airport remains open but more than 200 departures canceled

According to a statement from Greg Chin, communications director for the Miami-Dade Aviation Department:

"MIA is outside of the cone of concern for Hurricane Ian and will remain open. 206 arrivals and 214 departures have been canceled at MIA today due to the hurricane, affecting flights between MIA and cities across the U.S., the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

"Travelers are urged to confirm the status of their flight before coming to MIA, to avoid congestion at the airport, and since rebooking is more easily done online from their home or hotel room."

Key West International Airport , Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, and Tampa International Airport are all closed to the public.

For the latest from the Miami-Dade area, head to WLRN.

The eyewall of Hurricane Ian reaches southwest Florida

The outer eyewall of Hurricane Ian has reached Sanibel and Captiva Islands in Lee County, Fla.

In an update, the National Hurricane Center says sustained winds on Sanibel have reached 71 mph (just shy of hurricane strength) and higher gusts. Webcams on the ritzy island show water flooding over some roads. Conditions will continue to rapidly deteriorate as the storm roars ashore.

The hurricane has slowed to nine mph. A slower storm means people will feel the effects of the storm longer.

Hurricane Ian still has sustained winds of 155 mph – which is a category four "major hurricane."

The National Hurricane Center implores Floridians to get inside and stay there

At a briefing just before noon ET, the acting director of the National Hurricane Center painted a grim picture of the threat posed by Hurricane Ian and warned people in high-risk areas to take it seriously.

"A lot has happened overnight and early this morning, and unfortunately, none of it is good news," Jamie Rhome said by way of opening remarks.

Most urgently, he pointed to the eyewall about to move onshore and urged people in the areas of Sanibel, Cape Coral and Boca Grande to "get into your home and brace for a period of sustained, damaging, potentially devastating winds." It's too late to evacuate or go outside at this point, he added.

Bands of heavy rain are starting to impact portions of Tampa and the I-4 corridor, so Rhome is urging people traveling along that route to get to their final destination and stay put as the system comes ashore.

He pointed to the areas along the coastline where the storm surge will be highest, such as a predicted 12 to 18 feet in the Charlotte Harbor area.

"I've been around for a long time, these are big numbers," Rhome said. "I haven't seen numbers like this many times in my career."

Rhome warned that the danger isn't limited to that one region, adding that people in northeast Florida along the St. Johns River and those along the coast in Georgia and parts of South Carolina should think about taking action as well. That's because the storm is expected to move slowly ("I think the word 'crawls' might be better") across the state before turning and moving north.

Areas like Savannah and Charleston are already facing a moderate flood risk, he noted.

Rhome stressed that while wind and storm surge pose huge threats, heavy rains are not something to take lightly either. He said a wide swath of the state is facing some 10 to 15 inches of rain — in areas with low elevation and at the end of Florida's rainy season, meaning flood potential is high.

Those rains can produce flash flooding and impassable roads, he said, again urging people to remain inside even after the storm seems to have passed.

"We lose so many people after a storm because they get out and wander about, they drive into flooded roads, power lines might be down," he added. "I know you want to see what happened, I know you want to see if your house, your neighborhood is okay, but please stay inside until conditions allow you to safely move about."

You can watch the full briefing, which lasted just under 10 minutes, here:

Florida's population has skyrocketed. That could make Hurricane Ian more destructive

By Becky Sullivan

No state in the eastern U.S. has grown faster in recent years than Florida, which has added nearly 3 million residents since 2010.

Now, the state is yet again in the path of a major hurricane, with Hurricane Ian expected to make landfall on Florida's western coast Wednesday. It is now classified as a Category 4 storm, according to the National Hurricane Center .

Tampa, Fort Myers and Sarasota — all among the state's fastest-growing metropolitan areas — are within the range of predicted paths, the NHC said. Ian may bring a "life-threatening storm surge, catastrophic winds and flooding in the Florida peninsula," the hurricane center said in its 5 a.m. ET update.

More people — and more buildings to house them, often in coastal areas — mean that a major hurricane could become more costly and destructive.

The population boom in hurricane-prone Florida is an example of the "expanding bullseye effect," said Stephen Strader, a professor at Villanova University who studies how human environments are vulnerable to natural disasters.

Imagine an archer taking aim at a target, he explained. If the bullseye is very small, the odds of the archer hitting it are low. But as the target grows, the archer's odds improve.

"Instead of an arrow, we have hazard events like hurricanes and tornadoes. Instead of having targets, we are the targets — our cities, our developed areas. And nowhere is that more readily seen than along our coastlines," Strader said.

In some parts of southwestern Florida, it’s already too late to evacuate

Hurricane Ian is projected to hit Florida this afternoon, but state officials say it’s already too late to evacuate from some areas in the southwestern part of the state that are projected to face the most severe effects of the storm.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said during a briefing Wednesday morning that the highest-risk regions stretch from Collier County to Sarasota County, with the storm expected to make landfall in Charlotte County.

“If you are in any of those counties, it’s no longer possible to safely evacuate,” he said. “It’s time to hunker down and prepare for this storm.”

DeSantis urged residents to treat the storm as if a tornado were approaching their home.

Municipal officials up and down the coast were asking residents to shelter in place, and city services were already suspended in some areas.

Cape Coral said normal operations would resume after winds dipped below 45 mph and that city officials would have to prioritize 911 calls and respond when it was safe. Lee County said it would connect 911 callers with medical staff if high winds prevented first responders from attending to the emergency in person.

Several bridges had also been closed, including the Sunshine Skyway Bridge that spans Tampa Bay.

Officials were urging residents in central and northeastern Florida to prepare to either evacuate or take shelter in response to the approaching storm.

The eye of dangerous category 4 Hurricane Ian nears southwest Florida

The National Hurricane Center says in its 11 a.m. advisory that Ian remains a dangerous category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 155 mph. This remains 2 mph shy of category 5 status.

The eye of the storm is expected to come ashore in the 2 to 3 p.m ET timeframe – somewhere in Charlotte or Lee counties.

The storm surge has begun in southwest Florida. In Naples, it’s at seven feet and rising . To the north in Lee County (Fort Myers) and Charlotte County (Port Charlotte/Punta Gorda) it may get as high as 18 feet. The waves on the barrier islands, such as Pine Island, are growing too. To make matters worse, high tide is happening later this evening. High tide means more water – and higher surge.

While all of the attention is focused on the coast, we should remember this storm is big and powerful and expected to retain its hurricane strength far inland .

As of now, the storm is expected to cross Florida, where a hurricane warning is now in effect on the east coast (from Sebastian Inlet north to the Volusia/Flagler County line). It's forecast to enter the Atlantic Ocean and then move north towards the Georgia/South Carolina line and strike as a tropical storm, perhaps on Friday. The NHC has issued a storm surge warning in many of those areas too.

Adriana Gomez Licon, Associated Press Adriana Gomez Licon, Associated Press

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• Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/photos-show-destructive-wake-of-hurricane-ian

Photos show destructive wake of Hurricane Ian

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (AP) — Rescue crews piloted boats and waded through flooded streets Thursday to save thousands of Floridians trapped after Hurricane Ian destroyed homes and businesses and left millions in the dark.

LIVE MAP: Track the path of Hurricane Ian

The destruction began to come into focus a day after Ian made landfall in Florida as one of the strongest hurricanes ever to hit the U.S. The storm flooded homes on both of the state’s coasts, cut off the only bridge to a barrier island, destroyed a historic waterfront pier and knocked out electricity to 2.67 million Florida homes and businesses — nearly a quarter of utility customers. At least one man was confirmed dead.

Aerial photos from the Fort Myers area, a few miles west of where Ian struck land, showed homes ripped from their slabs and deposited in a jumble among shredded wreckage. Businesses near the beach were completely razed, leaving just twisted debris. Broken docks floated at odd angles beside damaged boats, and fires smoldered on lots where houses once stood.

Damaged boats are seen downtown after Hurricane Ian caused widespread destruction in Fort Myers, Florida, U.S., September 29, 2022. Photo by Marco Bello/REUTERS

“We’ve never seen storm surge of this magnitude,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told a news conference. “The amount of water that’s been rising, and will likely continue to rise today even as the storm is passing, is basically a 500-year flooding event.”

Though downgraded to a tropical storm by Thursday morning, the National Hurricane Center said storm surge and flooding rains remained a threat as Ian crept across the Florida peninsula and emerged in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cape Canaveral. Forecasters predicted Ian would regain some strength while turning northward.

WATCH: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis requests aid from Biden as Hurricane Ian makes landfall

A hurricane warning was issued for the South Carolina coast, where the storm was expected to again make landfall, having already hit Cuba and Florida.

Sheriffs in southwest Florida said 911 centers were inundated by thousands of stranded callers, some with life-threatening emergencies. The U.S. Coast Guard began rescue efforts hours before daybreak on barrier islands near where Ian struck, DeSantis said. More than 800 members of federal urban search-and-rescue teams were also in the area.

A man walks amid flooding after Hurricane Ian caused widespread destruction in Fort Myers, Florida, U.S., September 29, 2022. Photo by Marco Bello/REUTERS

In the Orlando area, Orange County firefighters used boats to reach people in a flooded neighborhood. A photo the department posted on Twitter showed one firefighter carrying someone in his arms through knee-deep water. At an area nursing home, patients were carried on stretchers across floodwaters to a waiting bus.

An aerial view of a house on fire after Hurricane Ian caused widespread destruction, in Sanibel Island, Florida, U.S., September 29, 2022. Photo by Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

Firefighters on boats and National Guard soldiers in a tall truck rescued Joseph Agboona and his neighbors after water rose to the windows in his Orlando home.

READ MORE: People trapped and over 2 million without power as Ian drenches Florida

“We were happy to get out,” said Agboona, who grabbed two bags of possessions, not knowing what will be left when he eventually returns. “It was very, very bad.”

A home is ablaze and inundated homes are seen after Hurricane Ian tore through the area with howling winds, torrential rains and raging surf and caused massive power outages. in this still image taken from video in Lee County, Florida, U.S., September 29, 2022. Photo provided by WPLG TV via ABC via REUTERS.

In Fort Myers, Valerie Bartley’s family spent desperate hours Wednesday holding a dining room table against their patio door, fearing the storm raging outside “was tearing our house apart.”

“I was terrified,” Bartley said. “What we heard was the shingles and debris from everything in the neighborhood hitting our house.”

She said her 4-year-old daughter grabbed her hand and said: “I’m scared too, but it’s going to be OK.” The girl was right. The storm ripped away patio screens and snapped a palm tree in the yard, Bartley said, but left the roof intact and her family unharmed.

A man inspects damage to a marina as boats are partially submerged in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, on September 29, 2022. Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images

Authorities confirmed at least one Florida death — a 72-year-old man in Deltona who fell into a canal while using a hose to drain his pool in the heavy rain, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said. Two other storm deaths were reported in Cuba.

A view of a flooded community after Hurricane Ian caused widespread destruction in Fort Myers, Florida, U.S., September 29, 2022. REUTERS/Marco Bello

Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said his office was scrambling to respond to thousands of 911 calls, but many roads and bridges in Fort Myers and the surrounding area were impassable.

WATCH: Biden outlines FEMA response plan after Hurricane Ian

“It crushed us,” Marceno told ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “We still cannot access many of the people that are in need.”

Emergency crews sawed through toppled trees to reach stranded people. Many in the hardest-hit areas were unable to call for help because of electrical and cellular outages.

A damaged boat is seen amid a downtown condominium after Hurricane Ian caused widespread destruction, in Fort Myers, Florida, U.S., September 29, 2022. Photo by Marco Bello/REUTERS

“Portable towers are on the way for cell service. Chances are your loved ones do not have ability to contact you,” said the sheriff’s office in Collier County, which includes Naples. “We can tell you as daylight reveals the aftermath, it’s going to be a hard day.”

Christine Bomlitz was unable to reach her mother by phone after the storm made landfall south of Englewood, where the 84-year-old woman lives in a retirement community. Bomlitz said her mother was supposed to evacuate but was never picked up. So the anxious daughter from Las Vegas posted a plea for help on social media.

READ MORE: Why it can be more difficult to evacuate older adults in a disaster

Some Good Samaritans replied and came to her aid Thursday, one of them wading in chest-deep floodwaters in her mother’s neighborhood to perform a welfare check. Relieved that her mother had weathered the storm, Bomlitz was working to arrange a boat rescue.

“I’m thankful for this stranger, a total stranger,” Bomlitz said. “People are amazing.”

An aerial view of a partially collapsed Sanibel Causeway after Hurricane Ian caused widespread destruction, in Sanibel Island, Florida, U.S., September 29, 2022. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

A chunk of the Sanibel Causeway fell into the sea, cutting off access to the barrier island where 6,300 people normally live. It was unknown how many heeded orders to evacuate, but Charlotte County Emergency Management Director Patrick Fuller expressed cautious optimism that worst-case scenarios might not have been realized.

No deaths or injuries have been confirmed in the county, and flyovers of barrier islands show “the integrity of the homes is far better than we anticipated,” Fuller said.

A toy and other debris are see after Hurricane Ian caused widespread destruction, in Fort Myers, Florida, U.S., September 29, 2022. Photo by Marco Bello/REUTERS

South of Sanibel Island, the historic beachfront pier in Naples was destroyed, with even the pilings underneath torn out, as towering waves crashed over the structure. “Right now, there is no pier,” said Penny Taylor, a Collier County commissioner.

In Port Charlotte, a hospital’s emergency room flooded and fierce winds ripped away part of the roof, sending water gushing into the intensive care unit. The sickest patients — some on ventilators — were crowded into the middle two floors as the staff prepared for storm victims to arrive, said Dr. Birgit Bodine of HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital.

READ MORE: How warm water turbocharged Hurricane Ian in less than a day

The Florida Highway Patrol shut down the Florida Turnpike in the Orlando area and said the main artery in the middle of the state will remain closed until water subsides.

Ian struck Florida as a monstrous Category 4 storm, with 150 mph (241 kph) winds that tied it for the fifth-strongest hurricane ever to hit the U.S.

A flooded street is seen in downtown as Hurricane Ian makes landfall in southwestern Florida, in Fort Myers, Florida, U.S. September 28, 2022. Photo by Marco Bello/REUTERS

Even after weakening, Ian’s tropical storm-force winds still reached 415 miles (667 kilometers) from its center. Forecasters predicted the Atlantic waters would strengthen it to a Category 1 hurricane before it makes landfall Friday in South Carolina.

The National Hurricane Center warned storm surge of 6 feet (1.83 meters) or more was possible from Daytona Beach, Florida, to north of Charleston, South Carolina. Rainfall of up to 8 inches (20.32 centimeters) threatened flooding in the Carolinas and Virginia.

READ MORE: Environmental groups warn of pollution hazards as Hurricane Ian approaches Florida

“It doesn’t matter what the intensity of the storm is. We’re still expecting quite a bit of rainfall,” Robbie Berg, senior hurricane specialist with the National Hurricane Center, said in an interview with The Associated Press.

The U.S. Coast Guard initiated a search and rescue mission for 23 people after a boat carrying Cuban migrants sank Wednesday in stormy weather east of Key West. It found three survivors, and four others swam to shore, the U.S. Border Patrol said. Air crews continued to search for possibly 20 remaining migrants.

Associated Press contributors include Cody Jackson in Tampa, Florida; Freida Frisaro in Miami; Mike Schneider in Orlando, Florida; Seth Borenstein and Aamer Madhani in Washington; Bobby Caina Calvan in New York; and Andrew Welsh-Huggins in Columbus, Ohio.

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Hurricane Ian slams Florida’s west coast as Category 4 storm with 150 mph winds

Nation Sep 28

Venice, Englewood residents reeling from damage from Hurricane Ian

VENICE, Fla. (WWSB) - Winds of around 120 miles per hour damaged homes and businesses up and down the Suncoast and uprooted trees.

“It was just like they say -- at times it was like listening to a train coming your way,” said Bruno Mollica, a Venice resident.

He said he witnessed the destruction of the historic Venice Theatre. “Low and behold, after I heard a big boom, I looked out the window and saw this right here.” The force of Hurricane Ian tearing the back side of the building apart.

“It’s one of the hardest challenges we will have faced in our 73 years, it’s a pretty devastating loss,” said Murray Chase, the theatre’s producing executive director.

There’s optimism the theatre will rise up from this damaging blow, stronger and better than ever. The Venice Ranch Mobile Home Park, like many others throughout the area, taking a hard hit as well.

“You don’t expect this, you always expect the storm, but this one was big,” said Jeff Edwards, a Venice Ranch resident.

Business owners like Jim Long of Cormick’s in Venice was having to deal with damage to his business and concerns with his home.

“It’s overwhelming. Like everybody, I’m not sure where to start,” said Long.

Just south of Venice, Englewood was near the eye of this monster storm. A huge tree ended up on top of the home of one of the residents.

“This was like Charley on steroids, it was a lot more intense,” said Kaila Schlake, an Englewood resident.

Residents are hoping and praying they never have to go through this type of storm ever again.

“It was more just the sound of the wind and the unknown,” said Ernie Bago, a Venice resident.

Cleanup of the big mess is now underway. That’s something that will be going on in the weeks and months ahead.

Copyright 2022 WWSB. All rights reserved.

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Englewood residents pick up the pieces in wake of Hurricane Ian

Hurricane ian damage in englewood.

Briona Arradondo reports.

ENGLEWOOD, FLA. - Sarasota County residents are left to salvage what they can from their homes Thursday, especially in the southern part of the county where Hurricane Ian hit hardest.

"The roof right up here, that got demolished. There were some shutters here. They’re all gone," said Cathy Richard, who lives in Englewood at Alameda Isles. 

She evacuated a manufactured home community with her family ahead of the hurricane. "I thought for sure it would be okay in Englewood, but nope, no, total devastation."

The storm ripped through Englewood in Sarasota County on Wednesday, forcing people who stayed in their homes to do what they could to stay safe.

"The noise was so loud you guys. It was so loud all night. It just went on forever and ever. It just didn’t stop," said Terry Matis, an Englewood resident who sheltered in place during the storm. "We were just thinking closet, closet, closet. [We were] just scared. My mother, my father, my brother-in-law, my sister and two dogs were in a closet from like noon until finally midnight it was over. It was silent."

RELATED: 2 Hurricane Ian-related deaths confirmed in Sarasota County

Now that Ian has moved on, the hard part of rebuilding begins.

Hurricane Ian ripped through Englewood in Sarasota County on Wednesday.

"I was crying. I just couldn’t believe what I saw. I’ve never been through anything like this before in my life," said Richard.

Some neighborhoods remain flooded, and some roads are covered by water making them impassable.  Thousands of residents are still without power, plus water and sewer systems need repairs around the county.

RELATED: Hurricane Ian devastates SW Florida: Sanibel Causeway will need to be rebuilt, governor says

"Just to put things into perspective, I was around in 2004 when Charlie hit Charlotte County, they spent weeks doing this," said Mike Mylett, the director of Sarasota County Public Utilities. "All I can ask people is to remain patient. Like we said, this is going to take some time. There’s 500,000 people living in this community, and there’s about 300 utility workers trying to provide them water and sewer service."

Englewood residents who evacuated returned home on Thursday to survey the damage caused by Hurricane Ian. 

A lot of work remains, but some call themselves lucky now that the storms over.

"It’s not a total disaster. It’s still livable. You know it’s still in one piece," said Richard of her mother’s home where she’s living. "Things can be replaced but lives can’t."  

Photos: This is what Florida looks like after Hurricane Ian

Updated October 1, 2022 at 12:44 PM ET

Floridians are finding themselves in a changed landscape after Hurricane Ian swept through the region on Wednesday. Images of the aftermath show a glimpse of the destruction caused by the powerful Category 4 storm: homes washed out, boats yanked from their moorings, and decimated neighborhoods. Rescue and recovery efforts are underway after some of the more dangerous conditions subsided, some deaths have been reported and massive power outages continue, as the full scope of Ian's destruction becomes clearer.

Here are some photos of what Hurricane Ian left behind:

Right now, NPR stations are serving those affected by the storm with vital information during this crisis. Reporters across the NPR Network provide news that serves as a lifeline to affected communities during disasters and beyond. Your donation makes a difference. Can you make a contribution?

Copyright 2024 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

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Hurricane Ian Florida Resort Updates thread!

• Thread starter Lisa P
• Start date Sep 29, 2022

TUG Review Crew: Rookie

• Sep 29, 2022

So far, it appears that the SW Florida coast from Englewood to Bonita Beach was hit very hard, including Venice, Charlotte Harbor, Punta Gorda, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and Sanibel/Captiva Islands. To a lesser extent, flooding has been reported in central Florida, including greater Orlando. Now, it's on the central/north Atlantic coast of Florida, heading up past Daytona. These things are impossible to predict and everyone is wondering about the actual damage, once it's gone. Our DS/DDIL and their family are visiting us in NC from north Tampa. We're thankful that they're all safe. Their condo, 20 minutes inland, apparently has power and was spared major damage. Some of their neighbors had evacuated Tampa to Orlando, only to experience hotel window damage in Orlando! Still praying for the people of Florida. Would like to hear reports from other Tuggers/Floridians re: how they've managed. Later, we'll hear about the many timeshare resorts. Anyone reporting in?  

After devastating Florida, Ian becomes a hurricane again and heads for South Carolina: Live updates

I’m currently at Vistana Beach Club in Jensen beach. A palm tree blew over and landed on the wooden beach walkway and broke the railing. Glad no one was walking on it when the tree came down. It’s still very windy but we never lost power or internet. We were thinking about driving back to Clearwater Beach today but I checked the beach cams and it’s still very windy there as well so might as well stay off the road until the tail end of this blows through.  

Saw Naples and Marco Island took a hit. Wondering how the Marriott Crystal Shores and other Marco Isl properties faired.  

Sarasota: Sandpiper Beach Club Calini Beach Club Siesta Sands Beach Resort Hibiscus Suites Sarasota Sands Lido Beach Resort Englewood: Englewood Beach and Yacht Club Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte: Charlotte Bay Resort Fishermans Village Captiva/Sanibel island: South Seas Resort Hurricane House Caribe Beach Resort sanibel cottages casa ybel sanibel beach club tortuga beach club surfrider beach club shell island beach club lighthouse resort and club sanibel harbour resort Cape coral marinavillage Ft. Meyers/bonita Springs Pink Shell Beach Resort Beach Club Windward Passage Bel-Air Beach Club Sandcastle Beach Club Royal Beach Club Harbour House Marina Village Snug Harbor Estero Island Beach Club Sunstream Vacation Club/Diamondhead beach resort Neptune resort Island Towers Kahlua Beach Club Lahaina Inn Seawatch on the beach Caribbean beach club mariners boathouse tropical sands hyatt Coconut Plantation Bonita resort Naples gulf pointe vanderbilt beach and harbour inn at pelican bay park shore white sands resort bayfront inn sandrift resort charter club naples bay Marco Island marco inn marco resort and club sunrise bay susnet cove marriott crystal shores eagles nest club regency surf club of marco Keys Galleon resort ocean key house hyatt sunset harbor banyan resort coconut beach resort hyatt windward pointe coconut mallory resort hyatt beach house coral hammock hawks nest tranquility bay marathon key beach club reef at marathon indigo reef cocoplum beach hawks cay caloosa cove topsider resort matecumbe ocean pointe key largo florida bay club port largo villas hammocks at marathon anchorage resort  

please let me know if some were missed! the google integrated maps might have some really old data in it! also if there is already an existing thread for a specific resort with updates, can just link them here in this one for consolidation purposes!  

Marco Island Marriott Updates  

Hyatt Coconut Plantation updates  

TUGBrian said: please let me know if some were missed! the google integrated maps might have some really old data in it! also if there is already an existing thread for a specific resort with updates, can just link them here in this one for consolidation purposes! Click to expand...

i just saw on the news that the keys took a pretty good beating as it passed by them before it hit land, and have not really heard many updates on any of those resorts either!  

marriott crystal shores notification  

on the other side of the state, coco beach resort (cape Canaveral area) posted this: "Good Afternoon Hope everyone stayed safe. The Resort and Beach area all held up well, and We are all safe. See you on Saturday. "  

I just talked to a friend in Clearwater Beach and she said it’s totally dry. She also mentioned normal storms that hit are worse than this as far as water damage. She was referring to Clearwater beach and not the southern part of the state. So, I’m guessing the upper gulf resorts are probably in good shape. I’ll be leaving Jensen beach and driving west tomorrow.  

yes, the reporters in tampa/etc are showing relatively low impacts from the storm! extremely lucky!  

TUGBrian said: yes, the reporters in tampa/etc are showing relatively low impacts from the storm! extremely lucky! Click to expand...

Access to Clearwater Beach has been restored, and we are fully operational after the passing of Hurricane Ian. We will begin welcoming back guests on October 1st, 2022. Click to expand...

TUG Review Crew: Expert

To everyone in SW Florida our prayers are with you. Just Be Safe.  

Dear Owners! We appreciate your compassion when it comes to our resort and staff. There have been many questions out there about the current condition of Atlantic Terrace. Due to the local curfew in place, flash flooding and bridge closures, our staff won’t be able to get to the property until tomorrow morning. Once on site, we will do a comprehensive inspection and we will give you an accurate update on the resort. Some of our staff suffered extensive flood damages to their homes and vehicles, so we might have limited number of employees on site tomorrow to deal with the aftermath of the storm. Our priority will be to begin the immediate cleanup and to communicate with guests who are scheduled to arrive tomorrow and next week. The phone lines will be busy. We are asking you to be patient if you can’t get through right away. Stay tuned for updates! Thank you for all the prayers and support! Click to expand...

Coconut Plantation and Ian - updates

Maybe someone knows the answer to this question. Why has the storm surge been so extreme with this hurricane?  

A few lessons I hope people learn are: 1) Evacuate when you are told to do so. 2) Make sure your home insurance also covers floods. 3) Know that hurricanes can change direction at any time but the general vicinity is often correct. 4) Just because you are inland does not mean you will not have extremely heavy rains and flooding.  

TravelTime said: Maybe someone knows the answer to this question. Why has the storm surge been so extreme with this hurricane? Click to expand...

Sugarcubesea

Tug review crew.

DaveNV said: From what was described on the channel I was watching, part of the answer is because of where the storm came ashore. At Naples, there is a natural inward curve to the coastline. The storm moved so slowly, there was lots of time and increasingly more wind pushing the seawater onshore. Because there are rivers in that area, the water flowed upriver, and caused damage further inland than it may have otherwise. Dave Click to expand...

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Englewood Beach and Yacht Club

View prices for your travel dates

• Excellent 9
• Very Good 11
• All languages ( 28 )
• English ( 28 )

" Oceanside unit "

" top floor has a better view. "

" If you need a 1 bedroom only, get one on the beach. Super View and no noise from the Tiki Bar on the bayside. "

" All rooms have a view of the bay or ocean. "

" I Like the intercoastle it's more at rest then the beach! "

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

ENGLEWOOD BEACH AND YACHT CLUB - Inn Reviews (FL)

Englewood Beach & Yacht Club

Englewood Beach & Yacht Club is your vacation home away from home! It is a fully furnished timeshare resort located on Manasota Key, surrounded by Lemon Bay and Englewood Beach on the Gulf of Mexico. All units have views of water, either the gulf or Lemon Bay. We have two piers that can accommodate boats and are great for fishing on Lemon Bay. The piers have underwater lighting for night fishing for Snook.

Small Resort Privacy - Large Resort Amenities

We have 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units for rent. Typically, we rent from Saturday to Saturday, but we can accommodate 4-5 day rentals if they are within 7 days of the upcoming date, and are within the Saturday to Saturday window.

Everything you need for a fun & relaxing getaway.

Conveniently located right on Gulf Boulevard, our furnished condos offer more than a typical hotel room. Guests can enjoy a variety of recreational activities including BBQ gas grills, loungers, shuffleboard, and coin-operated laundry facilities. Our pool and hot tub are currently closed for repair.

Discover Englewood's Emerging Food Scene

Dining in Manasota is its own experience. Whether you're craving farm-to-table fine dining, Gulf Coast seafood, or contemporary casual, Manasota's food scene will not disappoint.

Thoughtfully designed & spacious rooms.

Fully Equipped Condominiums

The greater Englewood area offers a variety of activities and opportunities for adventure and exploration.

Art & Music

Englewood is home to a vibrant coastal community that boasts a thriving art and music scene. The town's artistic pulse can be felt through its numerous galleries, art festivals, and local art cooperatives. Artists from various disciplines find inspiration in the region's stunning natural beauty, incorporating it into their works.

Sports lovers can cheer on local teams in baseball, softball, and soccer matches held at community parks and sports complexes. Additionally, Englewood's community spirit is evident during annual sporting events like charity runs and cycling races, where participants come together to support various causes.

As a guest of Englewood Beach & Yacht Club you’ll be able to enjoy your own private section of Englewood Beach. Englewood Beach and Stump Pass Beach State Park, provide the perfect setting for sunbathing, swimming, and beachcombing. Just down the block you'll find daily yoga, a nice boardwalk, picnic tables, rest rooms, changing facilities, playground, volleyball.

Manasota Key

The atmosphere on Manasota Key is that of old Florida with several restaurants, souvenir shops, quaint shops and a weekly Farmer’s Market in historic downtown Englewood just a bridge away. Our beach is famous! A popular activity is hunting for shells and fossilized sharks teeth and other fossils on Englewood Beach that are millions of years old!

Hear what our guests have to say...

B oaters will love the bay dock convenience with fishing right off your units quick walk across to the beautiful beach with showers convenient to rinse before returning for a dip in the pool.

Fabulous location, great pool & spa, management is friendly. Bikes for borrowing, playground a few blocks away. Fishing docks available so we were able to bring our kayaks. We hope to return again!

• 1815 Gulf Boulevard Englewood, Fl 34223
• 941-221-1274

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STEM fundraiser is back for the first time since Hurricane Ian

What does it take to inspire students to create with their hands and minds?

But keeping things interesting takes money. The Sanibel School relies on the Blue Ribbon Classic at the Sanctuary Golf Club to raise the needed cash, and the fundraiser is back after Hurricane Ian forced a postponement in 2023.