places to visit in florida after hurricane ian

What to Know About Visiting Florida in the Aftermath of Hurricane Ian

Much of Florida is still open for business

Hurricane Ian wreaked havoc on the Sunshine State last week when it made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Cayo Costa, Flotrida, leveling the small communities of Fort Myers Beach, marooning residents in Sanibel Island, and stirring up flood and wind damage in Central Florida. Ian made history, in a multi-way tie, as the fifth-largest storm in U.S. history.

After Ian, much of Florida is still open for business, but some of the areas most affected by Hurricane Ian are asking for a timeout while they piece their communities back together; others may need a little leeway as they work to get fully back online. Many residences and businesses are still without power in affected areas. 

In a Sept. 30 Twitter post, the Fort Myers tourism board asked travelers to reschedule their travel plans to the area: “Hurricane Ian has devastated many of our islands, beaches, and neighborhoods. To our visitors, please refrain from entering the region until further notice.” 

As of Oct. 2, Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), which serves the Fort Myers area, announced plans to reopen on Oct. 5 on a limited schedule. Currently, Miami International Airport (MIA), Tampa International Airport (TPA), Orlando International Airport (MCO), and Key West International Airport (EYW) are all open and fully operational. 

Orlando theme parks are also up and running, some with slightly different schedules. SeaWorld Orlando will be open with the nightly Halloween-themed program "Howl-O-Scream" running from 7 p.m. to midnight. Aquatica Orlando is open from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Discovery Cove has its doors open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. All Disney theme parks, including the Typhoon Lagoon water park, are open, except for Blizzard Beach. 

In Tampa, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with "Howl-O-Scream" hours running from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Adventure Island , meanwhile, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m on weekends.

Key West sustained most of the damage along the island chain due to storm surges and fallen trees, the tourism authority said in a statement. “[The] major Florida Keys and Key West infrastructure remains intact throughout the 125-mile-long island chain,” the statement added. “Traffic is flowing as usual along the Florida Keys Overseas Highway, including all 42 bridges.” 

Ian also caused closure for a few of Florida’s cruise ports, including Port Canaveral (near Orlando), JAXPort in Jacksonville, and Port Tampa Bay. As of Oct. 3, 2022, all three closed ports have reopened with business as usual. 

Anyone traveling to parts of Florida heavily affected by Hurricane Ian should continue to check the status of their individual airline, cruise ship, and destination before departing. 

NBC New York. "Where Does Ian Rank All-Time? These Are Strongest Hurricanes to Make US Landfall." September 29, 2022.

Southwest Florida International Airport. "Operational Updates: Hurricane Ian." October 2, 2022.

Official Florida Keys Tourism Council. "After Ian, Florida Keys Infrastructure Intact; Key West Airport Open." October 2, 2022.

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Sanibel Island now: After Hurricane Ian, should you go back this summer

By: Author Bonnie Gross

Posted on Last updated: July 5, 2024

More than a year after Category 4 Hurricane Ian slammed Sanibel with a 13-foot storm surge, the beach, the sea shells, the birds and wildlife — all the natural stuff — is back. But the things that people built, they have a ways to go.

At the end of 2023, my husband and I spent a few days on Sanibel, a place we loved and have visited at least 20 times over four decades.

As Sanibel prepared for tourists to return, I wondered: With Sanibel Island damage still being repaired, should people visit in 2024? There’s no easy yes or no, but I’ll try to give you some insight to help you decide.

Conditions vary widely in Sanibel Island damage, recovery

Your experience starts as you drive over the causeway, once a scenic parkway with broad water views where you passed grass, trees, picnic tables and people on boats enjoying sparkling San Carlos Bay.

Today, it’s a huge and ugly construction site as the causeway is rebuilt, with trucks and workers and frequent lane closures.

When we reached the island, we saw a range of conditions. Some homes and buildings look like Hurricane Ian was yesterday. Some look like it never happened. And most are somewhere in between.

Walking the big, wide, hard-packed white sand beaches, however, was as beautiful as ever, with mounds of shells and flocks of birds. From the beach, you’d almost forget about the hurricane. The condos and buildings lining the beach are on the other side of the dunes, but if you look closely, you see most appear damaged and the minority are occupied.

Riding on the extensive network of bike lanes, we got a closer look at the state of reconstruction around the island. From the street, where the view of the beachfront development is closer, you see many condo complexes enclosed in chain link fences that are active construction sites seven days a week.

Yet, in the middle of that, there are mansions with perfect lawns and landscaping and holiday decorations. Were they unscathed? How did they get their repairs done so quickly and completely?

As we drove toward Captiva, it was disorienting to see so many familiar scenes so changed. That wide swath of beautiful open beach? What was there?

I turned to Google maps to figure it out. Since Google maps has not updated its street-view photographs, I could see what was once there – the Castaways! This complex of tropically colored cottages right on the beach near Blind Pass had been there for decades, the sort of iconic Old Florida scene that defined Sanibel. It’s gone now, just white sand and “keep out” signs. And it’s not the only one.

Crossing the bridge at Blind Pass onto Captiva Island was another surprise. With flowers blooming and much landscaping intact, Captiva looks like Ian was a long time ago. The little colorful cottages that house businesses in the downtown are open and busy.

The Mucky Duck , directly on the beach at 11546 Andy Ross Lane, looks unchanged. Amazingly, Hurricane Ian did only exterior damage; there was no sand or water on the interior, and the “Lucky Duck” reopened four months after the storm.

Another Captiva icon, the Bubble Room is still being repaired and won’t open until fall 2024, although a small coffee and dessert café operated by the Bubble Room called Boops , is open and busy next door.

On Captiva, it is possible to forget about the hurricane. It is almost as lovely as ever.

Some favorite Sanibel things to do are still great

To our delight, the 25-mile network of bike paths that makes Sanibel such a cyclist’s haven, is intact and it’s still a pleasure to pedal around the island. The scenery isn’t as lovely, however, with less of a tree canopy and the lack of thick vegetation.

More from Florida Rambler: Biking Sanibel Island: Bicycle trails take you to all the best spots

We bicycled to the Lighthouse Beach , always a favorite. If you didn’t know there had been historic buildings around the base of the lighthouse, all irreparably damaged in the hurricane and now gone, you’d think it looks fine. (Restoration work on the lighthouse has continued since my visit.)

Near the lighthouse, one of our favorite spots to have breakfast on Sanibel, the Lighthouse Café , was destroyed. But it has been rebuit in a new location at 1020 Periwinkle Way and reopened April 30. See daily specials and updates here . (Our family’s traditions was always to order the Granola Nut Whole Wheat Hot Cakes.)

If you visited Sanibel in the past, this experience, of looking for a familiar restaurant or store and discovering it has closed, moved or been dramatically remodeled, is likely to be repeated over and over.

We rode our bikes through Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve on the smooth, paved road. It is shared with cars, but it’s one way and there’s a 15 mph speed limit. It’s still a great place to bicycle and we were happy to see a few birds, especially a flock of white pelicans. These winter visitors are a treat because they are brilliantly white and so easy to spot — they are among the largest North American birds.

We checked out the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village in the center of Sanibel at 950 Dunlop Road, where over the years pioneer homes have been moved and preserved. Happily, it’s in good shape. The historical complex began its regular schedule in December, Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a $15 entrance fee for adults 18 and up.

The buildings range from the original post office to the first schoolhouse to residences ordered as kits from Sears. Each building has a story, told in a few sentences on the signs. What’s remarkable in reading these stories in this moment is how much of Sanibel’s early history revolves around recovering from hurricanes. The big one in 1926, it said, brought eight feet of water over the entire island, and changed everything.

We stopped at several other beaches, all of which are open with restrooms. (The Lighthouse Beach still has porta potties only and has been closed for beach renourishment over the summer.) One of our favorites is Bowman’s Beach, across the island from Ding Darling Preserve. With a mile of perfect beach lined with vegetation and wetlands instead of condos, it is the least developed and most secluded of the beaches on Sanibel. Beachcombing, shelling and birding were always excellent here and continue to be.

In early March, the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum reopened its Living Gallery of Aquariums on the first floor. The second floor with its Great Hall of Shells is expected open later this summer.

Another popular attraction, the cruises and tours from Adventures in Paradise , has reopened. It has been operated by the Stewart family since 1986. The offerings include shelling cruises, dolphin cruises, luncheon cruises to Cabbage Key and sunset cruises.

One thing to note about our visit to Sanibel: The no see ums were bad ; worse than we remember and not limited to dusk. If you look online at recent reviews of Sanibel, many commenters reference this, so it wasn’t just during our visit. Bug spray is essential and we always chose places to stand or sit where there was a breeze, which helped reduce their impact. (And this condition can change, of course.)

Hotels on Sanibel Island now

In early 2024, there are only a handful of hotels open, though more are opening every month.

We stayed at Sanibel Island Beach Resort , 1231 Middle Gulf Drive. With all the post-Ian renovations, it felt like a brand-new hotel, with beautiful décor, a new well-designed bathroom and excellent amenities. Its pool was newly renovated. All the nearby condos were still being repaired.

Some buildings are being finished room by room. At Signal Inn on Middle Gulf Drive, for example, some rooms are ready for occupancy but work continues on others. The small (24 unit) Sandpiper Beach condo building reopened in early February 2024. Blind Pass Condominiums welcomed its first residents returning in March and now it is fully open and renting apartments.

The Sanibel Visitor Center lists another two dozen places to stay on Sanibel and Captiva, plus vacation rental agencies. Hotels.com lists a half dozen. Recent additions to places to stay: Sanibel Moorings , Sanibel Siesta on the Beach, Island Inn , Pelican Roose Condominiums , Loggerhead Key and Jensen’s on the Gulf .

Work continues on many hotels and condos, but you can expect to see openings throughout 2024.

Restaurants on Sanibel

There’s good news for visitors, though, in that there are several dozen restaurants open , according to an updated list from the Sanibel Visitor Center. This makes Sanibel a possible day-trip destination.

We dined in two old favorites, where the food and drinks were excellent and the staff was friendly. We can recommend them both:  

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille , 2500 Island Inn Road. Doc Ford’s celebrated its 20 th year in 2023. It was founded by author Randy Wayne White, who worked for a decade as a fishing guide on Sanibel and whose first book “Sanibel Flats” introduced the character of Doc Ford, a marine biologist and former NSA agent. There have been two dozen Doc Ford books since.

Not only does the author still live on Sanibel, he stayed on the island during Hurricane Ian and shot videos of it happening. (He says he’d never do it again.) There are four Doc Ford restaurants on the Gulf Coast now, and despite the owner’s fame, it’s the quality of their food that has made them successes.

The Timbers Restaurant , 703 Tarpon Bay Road, was founded in 1978 and is well known for its fresh seafood and its signature dish, the crunchy grouper. It’s an informal restaurant with good sized entrees plus soup or salad and bread. We appreciated it was one of very few restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day.

Other restaurants that have reopened since we visited:

• Gramma Dots , 634 N Yachtsman Dr, Sanibel, which is inside the Sanibel Marina, reopened in mid-February. It calls itself “a seaside saloon,” but it serves lunch and dinner too.
• Cheeburber Cheeburger, 1975 Periwinkle Way, has reopened, with a refreshed appearance.
• Over Easy Cafe , 630 Tarpon Bay Rd #1, specializes in breakfast food. It’s open for breakfast 7 a.m – 2 p.m. and lunch 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. every day.
• Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant , 362 Periwinkle Way, opened in April.

If you were a fan of the only franchise restaurant on Sanibel, Dairy Queen, you will be sad to know it won’t reopen. It had been operated by a single family at that location for 52 years. The property sold in 2023 for $1.65 million and is said to be the site of a new restaurant, which will also serve ice cream.

Shopping on Sanibel and Captiva Islands

Many of the unique shops that visitors loved have yet to reopen, but they’re making progress.

The original Chico’s store reopened in January in Periwinkle Place. It opened its doors in 1983 and was always popular for its island vibe. (There are now 1,500 Chico stores.) The iconic She Sells Seashells , one of the first businesses you see as you drive onto the island, is open too.

Captiva’s charming shopping district has many open shops, including Jungle Drums and the Gold Parrot .

But in early 2024, shopping is not going to be a major attraction.

Traffic on Sanibel Island in 2024

There are two things making traffic a problem: Construction on the causeway and all the contractors who need to get on and off the island every day.

As a result, there is a serious morning and afternoon back up. Day trippers and other travelers are advised to leave before 3 p.m. or after 7 p.m. During the worst of rush hour, there can be a 30 to 45 minute backup.

So, should you plan a trip to Sanibel now?

Our family has a long-term connection to Sanibel. We’ve been coming here for decades; some of my favorite memories of our daughters as children is of us collecting live shells, sand dollars and hermit crabs in a “lagoon zoo” we dug in the sand. (No animals were harmed in the making of those vacations.)

For us, returning to Sanibel, even in its current broken state, has a nostalgic appeal. We love the place and want to support the hotels and restaurants that are taking the difficult role as pioneers forging the way back.

When I travel on getaways, if I’m lucky, what I feel is delight; delight in what I am seeing, doing and learning. On Sanibel, with Hurricane Ian so fresh in everything I saw, that delight was tempered with sadness. It was hard not to be bummed out by how much work has yet to be done and how long it will take for the lush vegetation to again overtake the island.

Sanibel never was and is now not an inexpensive place to visit. I asked myself: Would I be better off spending that $250 a night on a hotel in another Florida beach town that doesn’t feel tinged with sadness?

On our final evening, my husband and I sat outside on the beach as the sun set.

In the distance in the Gulf, I saw the fins of dolphins. Then pelicans dove with huge splashes near them. The sun made everything golden. The tide was at its low point and as I walked on the beach, I found the best shells I’d found on this visit, and they glowed like gems in the sun. Nearby, a couple was taking pictures of their baby, who was thrilled with her new beach bucket. A bunch of young men were playing soccer on the beach.

It was the happiest scene – pure delight, the sort I’d always found on Sanibel Island.

Things to do near Sanibel Island:

• On your way to Sanibel:  Six Mile Slough is a wild boardwalk minutes off I-75 .
• Fort Myers Beach in winter 2023-24: Work needed after Ian, but Margaritaville Resort is open.

The author, Bonnie Gross, travels with her husband David Blasco, discovering off-the-beaten path places to hike, kayak, bike, swim and explore. Florida Rambler was founded in 2010 by Bonnie and fellow journalist Bob Rountree, two long-time Florida residents who have spent decades exploring the Florida outdoors. Their articles have been published in the Sun Sentinel, the Miami Herald, the Orlando Sentinel, The Guardian and Visit Florida.

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Tuesday 16th of July 2024

I've been wondering--thanks for the detailed update!

Sunday 14th of July 2024

This is the best review that I have seen of conditions. After 20 years of visiting Sanibel, I miss it so much & hope to return in 2025.

Marcia Bryant

Saturday 6th of July 2024

The West Wind Inn was our "place to go" over the course of several years. Hearing about the damage it received was devastating and then seeing pictures of it being demolished was heart breaking. But I hear that they will rebuild. My walking ability is limited but I hope to be able to participate in doing the Sanibel Stoop as I walk the beach with water covering my feet as I pick up my treasures.

Tuesday 25th of June 2024

Thank you for your thorough and wonderful description of Sanibel on its way back. Loggerhead Cay on East Gulf is fully back and renting again so feel free to reach out via your favorite booking channel. One fun note- all of the first floor units were completey rennovated from the concrete block, floors and ceilings inward. So if you stay on the first floor you will be in a brand new unit!

Joseph McLaughlin

Saturday 22nd of June 2024

Thanks for the passionate updates; stayed with my parents on West Gulf Drive and have many fond memories of playing golf on the three courses and eating at the green flash thanks so much! Joe McLaughlin wishing all God’s speed.

I’ve been wondering–thanks for the detailed update!

The West Wind Inn was our “place to go” over the course of several years. Hearing about the damage it received was devastating and then seeing pictures of it being demolished was heart breaking. But I hear that they will rebuild. My walking ability is limited but I hope to be able to participate in doing the Sanibel Stoop as I walk the beach with water covering my feet as I pick up my treasures.

This post includes affiliate links from which Florida Rambler may earn a modest commission if a purchase is made. This revenue directly supports the creation of original content for your enjoyment.

Is Sanibel Island open to visitors? What to know about beaches, hotels, things to do

Not surprisingly, significant numbers of people are going on social media every day and asking questions about places in Southwest Florida like Sanibel Island , Fort Myers Beach and Pine Island .

They are also going to Google and typing in questions in the search box and asking: Are the beaches open? What restaurants are open? Where can I stay? What is there to do?

We are in the second tourist and snowbird season since Hurricane Ian clobbered the region on Sept. 28, 2022. People who skipped visiting here last winter are coming back. It started before the 2023 holidays and it will continue until after Easter (March 31).

There's little question things are improving. More business are opening and even more people - compared to last year - are making Southwest Florida a destination.

Here's a closer look at some of the questions people are asking about Sanibel:

What restaurants are open on Sanibel Island?

Last week our Food and Dining reporter Robyn George answered that question in the story "30 restaurants now open on Sanibel and Captiva, from Gramma Dot's to Mucky Duck."

That story was published on March 1. As of today (March 8) there are 35 restaurants open, according to the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce website , which keeps track of restaurants, businesses, where to stay and where to play.

Hotels, resorts, rentals: Where are places to stay on Sanibel Island?

The News-Press caught up with John Lai on Thursday (March 7). Lai is the President and CEO of Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce. We asked him what's the latest on accommodations. Lai reported that "there are currently 20 resort/cottage properties open and 18 vacation rental companies."

FOR MORE INFORMATION: See what resort and cottage properties are open.

What beaches are open on Sanibel Island, Florida?

All of the public beaches are open .

They are: Lighthouse Beach, Gulfside City Park, Tarpon Beach, Bowman's Beach, Blind Pass Beach.

There is a beach re-nourishment project underway that is expected to wrap up in April. More than 400,000 tons of sand is being trucked to the island's beaches.

Sand party: 400,000 tons of sand is coming to Sanibel. What to know from impact on traffic to shelling

What about parking on Sanibel Island beaches?

Here's everything you need to know about parking at all Lee County beaches including Sanibel.

Has the Sanibel lighthouse been fixed?

Yes and no. The missing leg of the famous and iconic and beloved landmark was replaced earlier this year. The leg was ripped off the lighthouse from the historic storm surge of Hurricane Ian.

It was the second big moment involving the lighthouse post-Hurricane Ian. The first big moment was when the light at the top of the lighthouse was beaming brightly again on Feb. 28, 2023 , warming the hears of all who cherish the lighthouse.

The lighthouse is currently draped in tarps . A crew is sand-blasting the structure and getting it prepped to be painted, the final phase of its restoration.

• VIDEO: World famous Sanibel Lighthouse damaged in Hurricane Ian glows again
• After Hurricane Ian: Sanibel vacationer posts uplifting message
• CBS News show shines spotlight on Sanibel Island's spectacular wildlife thriving after Ian
• PHOTOS: Lighthouse Beach Park on Sanibel reopen after closure due to Hurricane Ian
• VIDEO: Sanibel Lighthouse gets a new leg. Original went missing after Hurricane Ian

How is the shelling on Sanibel Island?

Never better. In fact, some people will tell you it's been better since Hurricane Ian. And more good news. On March 1 the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum re-opened for the first time since Hurricane Ian. The museum suffered catastrophic damage, including the loss of its prized octopus. Like the lighthouse, the shell museum represents the strength of an island on the comeback trail.

• Everything you need to know about finding shells on Sanibel
• Shell Week: 'A place most visitors never see.' Behind the scenes at Sanibel's Shell Museum
• Shell Week: Sanibel's talented, creative shell artists hide treasures for visitors to find
• How was my search for Sanibel's elusive Junonia shell? Let's just say, 'to be continued'

Can you drive your car to Sanibel Island? Is the Sanibel Causeway fixed?

More: No more Causeway Creep: Officials promise Sanibel bridge traffic will ease by Dec. 30

It's getting there. Many major portions of the causeway have been repaired and the work continues.

Best travel options to vacation on Florida’s…

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Tarpon Lodge/Courtesy

A Tarpon Lodge angler casting a fly in Pine Island Sound. The estuary is home to prized game fish such as tarpon, snook and sea trout.

Octavio Jones/Getty Images

Salty Sam's Marina on Fort Myers Beach is seen with storm damage in early December, amid relief efforts from Hurricane Ian.

A view of Lani Kai Island Resort on Fort Myers Beach, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, seen on Dec. 1.

Lori Sorrentino/Courtesy

The sunset over Pine Island Sound as seen from Tarpon Lodge.

Those areas also bore the brunt of Hurricane Ian’s brutal wrath on Sept. 28, enduring winds up to 150 mph and storm surges, in some areas, up to 15 feet. Statewide, at least 148 people died from the storm, mostly in coastal areas.

The aftermath in Fort Myers Beach looked like a war zone, while other areas were more fortunate, and are well on their way to recovery, if not already open for business.

If you’re interested in supporting Southwest Florida’s economy post-Ian, here’s a look at the status of recovery, and your travel options in the coming months.

Naples area

Some 30 miles south as the crow flies from Ian’s landfall in Cayo Costa, Naples was pummeled by up to 12 feet of surge, but has recovered relatively quickly.

“Everything’s looking almost back to normal,” said Collier County convention and visitors bureau executive director Paul Beirnes. “Golf courses are all up and running, ready for season,” he said, but noted that “there are probably some golfers that are happy that their arch nemesis tree is gone.”

Beirnes acknowledges that the storm became more violent farther north, and those areas may not be as far along in terms of recovery. But in Collier County, he says 89% of the hotel rooms are open and operating, and that only two hotels are still in limbo.

One is the Ritz Carlton, Naples, about 10 miles north of downtown Naples. “They are right on the beach, and they took a significant hit,” Beirns said. “Word is they’re probably [opening in] spring or summer.” The other property currently closed is La Playa Beach & Golf Resort, a mile or so north of the Ritz Carlton, and also right on the beach. He said it’s set to open in about a week.

As for downtown Naples, “Everyone’s favorite restaurants are open,” he said.

Lee County, home to Fort Myers Beach , Sanibel and Captiva Islands, as well as Pine Island, Matlacha and Cayo Costa State Park, was the bullseye for Ian.

Beaches are not technically closed, but the Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a countywide precautionary swim advisory for all public beaches and swimming pools. The advisory urges the public to not enter the water due to the possible increase of waterborne illnesses.

Sanibel and Captiva Islands

Sanibel and Captiva Islands are currently closed to non-residents, but according to Sanibel officials, unrestricted access to Sanibel will begin on Jan. 2.

The causeway to Sanibel, which both islands rely on to get to and from the mainland, was washed out during the storm, and a temporary causeway allows residents, supplies and cleanup crews to enter and leave the islands.

Tamara Pigott, executive director of the Lee County visitor & convention bureau, said debris removal is crucial, and additional traffic might be a hindrance. She said Sanibel’s city manager predicted 80% debris removal by Dec. 23.

Despite the limited customer base, ‘Tween Waters Resort & Spa on Captiva will be open to all guests on Dec. 17, according to their website,

Fort Myers Beach

This barrier island was decimated by Ian, and is in recovery mode. There’s also a curfew for non-residents using the bridges on and off Estero Island, where Fort Myers Beach is located. The bridge at the north end, Matanzas Pass Bridge, has a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The southern bridge over Big Carlos Pass has a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Despite the setback, there are a few spots beginning to open.

As for places to stay, Latitude 26 Waterfront Resort & Marina has three locations but the two on the waterfront are currently closed. Their inland location, 2 miles from the beach, at 17863 San Carlos Blvd., is open for business and has bike rentals and a heated pool and 26 rooms. The on-site marina is still under repair.

The Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina at the north end of Fort Myers Beach, one of the more famous resorts on the island, is a good example of the challenges faced by properties that are still standing.

In an email, resort spokesperson Katja Kunz said the resort is opening with 43 units on Dec. 19. The units will go to displaced residents, relief workers and construction workers. “We are not renting to resort guests as we do not have any amenities,” she wrote.

“The resort just got all utilities back over the last couple of weeks, and we have one building that will be ready to house the above-mentioned guests. There is a real need for housing, and we are trying to be part of the solution.”

It will be a long road to full recovery. “We are hoping to have another 60 rooms available by the end of January,” wrote Kunz. “We are working diligently on getting at least one pool put back together but of course there is a material/part shortage. We are looking at a year or two to be a fully functional resort again.”

Sun Palace Vacations rents out investment homes on Fort Myers Beach. Prior to Ian, they had 130 properties, but lost 40% to the storm. They anticipate opening eight to 12 homes after Jan. 1.

Marketing director Valerie Moessner said the company is shifting their business model for the time being from weekly stays to extended stay for contractors, displaced homeowners or past guests who want to be there for a month or so.

As for things to do, Copacetic Sailing, a sailing charter company, reopened on Nov. 5 and is offering a variety of two- to eight-hour sails, including morning yoga sails, full-day outings and sunset sails.

A few dining establishments are open as well. Pink Shell is running a lunch buffet at $14.99.

Bayfront Bistro, at 4761 Estero Blvd., sits on the bay side of the island, has ample outdoor seating, and serves items such as tuna tostada (ahi tuna tossed in sweet garlic chili, wakame, sweet soy, wontons, wasabi and ginger), Bistro Loaded Fries (cheddar, chives, bacon, and pickled jalapeno, sour cream) and grilled cobia, blackened with chunky tropical pineapple salsa.

Wahoo Willies Tiki Bar & Grill, another eatery on the bay side of the island, is open and plating items such as blackened mahi bites, tripletail fish sandwiches and fried chicken sandwich with sriracha honey aioli. They’ve also got live music daily.

The Yucatan Beach Stand Bar & Grill, at 250 Old San Carlos Blvd., is operating a full bar, smoked wings and street tacos.

Mainland Fort Myers

On the mainland in Fort Myers, Pigott said it’s “almost back to normal” and predicts most shops and restaurants will be open by January.

There are some properties — mostly larger hotels — ready for guests, but the amenities won’t be the same.

The brand new Luminary, a Marriott Signature hotel in downtown Fort Myers, sits on the Caloosahatchee River, was unaffected by flood waters and has 243 rooms.

Other large mainland hotels that are open include the Sanibel Harbor Marriott, which sits at the base of the causeway leading to Sanibel Island, and the Westin Cape Coral, which sits on the waterfront at the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River.

The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, just south of Fort Myers Beach on the mainland, is an example of how properties are adapting. Their pool is operational, but their lazy river is closed for the time being.

Open attractions in Fort Myers include a slew of breweries: Downtown, Coastal Dayz has live music and 16 brews on tap, including Whitecap Winter Ale, made with cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and allspice. Millennial Brewing, also downtown, has 14 beers on tap, including a fruited sour called Kiwi Lemonade, and Spruce Bigelow, a pale lager.

A bit farther inland, Fort Myers Brewing Company is pouring dozens of beers, including Keg Nog Stout, and Apple Strudel Ale. And Point Ybel Brewing Company has a roster of 15 brews, including a 14% ABV barleywine brewed with local black mangrove honey and aged over 2 years in Irish whiskey barrels.

List Distillery is also open, but tours and tastings are by reservation only.

Pine Island and Matlacha

If a waterfront holiday is a must, consider something on Pine Island Sound, the large bay between the barrier islands and the mainland.

Pine Island is open to the public. At the northern tip of the island sits a smaller island, Bokeelia, where Beach House Lodge Bokeelia, a rustic wooden lodge with five suites and rooms holding up to 22 guests, sits right on Charlotte Harbor, and is taking reservations.

A bit down the narrow sandy road sits the quaint Cap’n Con’s Fish House, offering a limited menu, including burgers, fried shrimp, and fish baskets and sandwiches.

The most popular item these days is the grouper basket, grilled or fried, and served with French fries and coleslaw. The Lazy Flamingo 3, a bar on a nearby marina, is also open.

Back on Pine Island, the well-known Tarpon Lodge, which looks out onto Pine Island Sound, has some 20-odd rooms ready for season.

Another well-known Pine Island Sound property, which you can only reach by boat, Cabbage Key Inn and Restaurant, is also open. Both properties have relationships with local inshore fishing guides who know the local ecosystem well.

In the middle of the island, barbeque joint Fine Swine is plating apps like flash-fried pork belly bites smothered in apple pie barbecue sauce, and entrees such as brisket and specials: 16-ounce rosemary crusted prime rib with roasted garlic mashed potatoes.

Down in Saint James City, and the southern end of Pine Island, there are some bars open: Froggy’s Bar & Grill and Low Key Tiki.

The quaint town of Matlacha was hard hit by Ian. Though the storm knocked out of the bridges, a temporary bridge is up and functioning, and a few spots are open. The Perfect Cup, a coffee shop with their own roaster, offers a full breakfast and lunch menu, and Italian restaurant Miceli’s, said they are offering most of their menu, but it changes daily based on supply.

This story was produced in partnership with the Florida Climate Reporting Network , a multi-newsroom initiative founded by the Miami Herald, the South Florida Sun Sentinel, The Palm Beach Post, the Orlando Sentinel, WLRN Public Media and the Tampa Bay Times.

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Travel during hurricane season: what to know as Florida prepares for 'extremely dangerous' Ian

Sep 28, 2022 • 4 min read

Hurricane Ian is set to hit Florida on Wednesday Getty Images

Hurricane Ian is on track to hit the Gulf Coast of Florida on Wednesday after the storm wiped out power in Cuba on Tuesday with catastrophic winds and flooding.

The US National Hurricane Center is warning of "life-threatening storm surge, catastrophic winds, and flooding" across the state now that Ian has strengthened into an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 storm. Over the weekend, President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency for Florida, and already more than 2.5 million residents in the storm's path have been evacuated.

If you've made plans to travel to Florida or the Caribbean, here's what you need to know about Hurricane Ian and how it could impact your plans.

Are airlines canceling flights?

Yes. Ian is expected to make landfall between Tampa Bay and Fort Myers on Wednesday, and airports in or near Orlando, Tampa Bay, St Petersburg , and Sarasota have suspended operations until Thursday. More than 2,000 domestic flights were canceled on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the flight-tracking website Flightaware.com . And about 1,800 flights were delayed on Tuesday.

Should I consider changing my flight?

If you're Gulf Coast or Caribbean-bound, you should consider changing your flight, but you'll need to do so quickly. Similar to their Hurricane Fiona response, major airlines such as Delta, American, and Southwest are offering waivers for passengers in impacted regions, including Cuba, Florida, South Carolina , and Georgia . Policies differ from carrier to carrier, but you generally have to rebook within a tight timeframe to avail of the waiver.

Delta, for example, will issue no-fee changes for travel rebooked through October 3, while Southwest will offer a no-change fee until October 2. American is waiving checked bag fees and fees for carry-on pets traveling to or from affected airports and lifting limits on the number of carry-on pets allowed in cabins. It's also adding reduced, last-minute fares for cities impacted by Ian, but it's not offering change fee waivers on rebooked flights. If your flight is affected by Ian, check your airline's website for detailed information on how to change your plans without incurring extra costs.

What if my cruise ship is supposed to port in an area hit by the storm?

Cruise lines are rerouting ships to avoid Ian and its aftermath. Carnival canceled two upcoming sailings due to port closures in Jacksonville and Tampa. At the same time, Royal Caribbean's chief meteorologist James Van Fleet has been sharing rerouted itineraries so passengers can sail the Caribbean safely. The practice is common for cruise lines during hurricane season, which runs from June to November. Disney, Norwegian, MSC, and others have also updated itineraries to keep travelers out of the storm's path.

What should I do if I'm a traveler in an impacted area?

Hurricane Ian wiped Cuba's power grid on Tuesday, leaving 11 million people without electricity in a national blackout. Tens of thousands of people, including tourists, had been evacuated or had fled before Ian caused widespread flooding and damaged buildings. Teams have been working through the night to restore power, and people are being urged to exercise caution in the meantime.

As the storm bears closer to Florida, more than 2.5 million residents in its predicted path are under an evacuation order, with Florida governor Ron DeSantis warning that some bridges could close on Wednesday. At an emergency briefing at the White House on Tuesday, Deanne Criswell, spokeswoman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said: "Take this very seriously, do not underestimate the potential this storm can bring. We are talking about impacts in parts of Florida that haven't seen a major direct impact in nearly 100 years."

How will the hurricane affect future travel to impacted areas?

Recovery will be ongoing. In Cuba, authorities are just beginning to assess the damage, but residents have posted images on social media of flooded streets, collapsed buildings, and felled trees. The western provinces were the hardest hit, but the entire island is still without power as of Wednesday morning. In addition to Ian, Florida is battling tornados and tropical storms, so tourists are advised to check the weather updates within the region they are traveling to.

Hurricane season will last until November, and more storms are on the way. Many Caribbean nations are still reeling from the impact of Hurricane Fiona last week, including Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Turks and Caicos. They will barely have time to catch their breath before another storm hits. Like the devastation caused in Puerto Rico by Hurricane Maria five years ago, rebuilding after a storm can be slow. Tourists should contact travel providers, hotels, and local businesses to ask about service changes before visiting.

What destinations might be impacted next?

The National Hurricane Center expects Ian to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday, and heavy rainfall and flooding will continue to spread across the Florida Peninsula through the weekend. The storm won't stop there. Southeastern Georgia and coastal South Carolina are expected to suffer "considerable flooding" over the next few days.

This article was first published Sep 20, 2022 and updated Sep 28, 2022.

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Has Hurricane Ian ruined vacation plans in Florida? Here’s a visitor’s guide on how to deal with storm

Are all the theme parks closed how can i get a refund for park tickets where can i shelter is my flight being canceled.

Keith Dunlap , Digital Content Team, Graham Media Group

Prepping for hurricanes is not something that is pleasant for residents of Florida, but it is something that people who live in the Sunshine State are accustomed to each fall.

But what about those from out of town who planned a vacation to Florida, and now those plans are being altered or ruined by Hurricane Ian?

Recommended Videos

Here’s a look at how tourists can best cope in terms of park closures, air travel and evacuation shelters.

Park closures

In particular, the Orlando area is among the most visited spots in the world because of its numerous theme parks.

What are tourists to do now?

It is probably frustrating planning a trip to Disney, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens in Tampa, or any other park, and then having the storm put an end to those plans.

Parks have cancellation policies ready in the event of a hurricane or tropical storm warning that are issued by the National Hurricane Center.

Click or tap here to view a list of parks that are closing, when they will be closed, and their refund policies.

Airport travel

Here is the status of major airports in Florida.

• Orlando International Airport - The airport announced it will cease operations at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Passengers are being urged to check with airlines for availability.
• Tampa International Airport - Operations were suspended as of 5 p.m. Tuesday. Passengers are being urged to check with airlines for availability.
• Miami International Airport - As of Tuesday evening, the airport said it was open, but asked passengers to check with their airlines because some flights were delayed or canceled.
• St. Pete/Clearwater International Airport - The airport closed at 1 p.m. Tuesday and will remain that way until the mandatory evacuation has lifted.
• Sarasota Bradenton International Airport - The airport closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
• Jacksonville International Airport - The airport as of Wednesday morning remained open and hadn’t announced plans of any closure.

Evacuation shelters

For a list of evacuation shelters by county in Florida, visit this website .

If you are a going to an evacuation shelter, you will likely need the following:

• Blankets and pillows
• Extra clothing
• Any necessary medications or oxygen supplies
• Flashlight and batteries
• Electronic devices and charges
• Diapers and other infant necessities
• Important documents such as IDs, birth certificates and social security cards.

Graham Media Group 2022

About the Author

Keith dunlap.

Keith is a member of Graham Media Group's Digital Content Team, which produces content for all the company's news websites.

The Reality on the Ground in Florida After Hurricane Ian—and How to Help

A week after one of florida’s worst hurricanes, coastal communities remain entirely cut off. a writer based in florida fills us in on how locals are coping and what recovery efforts look like..

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Residents of Geneva, Florida, navigate a flooded street on October 4, after historic flooding due to Hurricane Ian.

Photo by Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP

Last Monday, when Tampa was squarely in Hurricane Ian’s crosshairs according to all reputable models, and as I moved the entire bottom floor of my Tampa townhouse upstairs during a mandatory evacuation and sandbagged the doors, it all felt surreal. “Like being stalked by a turtle,” as a viral meme going around Florida at the time put it so well—you can make fun of Florida, but Florida will always beat you to it.

Most of my neighbors left to points spread across the state and even as far away as Virginia, but several stayed put either because they didn’t want to leave, didn’t want to stay in a shelter, or had nowhere or no means to go.

By Tuesday, safely evacuated to a friend’s house in Gainesville in the middle of the state (about 130 miles north of Tampa) with my two young kids, I saw the storm’s track had shifted east and farther south, putting Florida’s Fort Myers area firmly in its bull’s-eye. But relief that a storm is missing a direct hit on your home as it veers toward the destruction of someone else’s is hardly a good feeling.

By Wednesday, all of us watching together at my friend’s house gasped aloud at the Weather Channel’s real-time reporting of the storm’s surge in Fort Myers Beach. My six-year-old son asked if it was a tsunami. Later that day, a friend who lives in Fort Myers, a tourist town known for its beautiful stretches of sandy coastline, sent photos of her pool deck furniture being swamped by the Caloosahatchee River. Not long after, her dock was swept away entirely in what looked like Class V rapids. Her kids are now out of school for the foreseeable future, their town in shambles around them.

When daylight broke on Thursday, the storm on its way through central Florida as it headed back out into the Atlantic and north, onward to a second U.S. landfall in South Carolina as a Category 1 hurricane, it became clear that the damage in Florida was extensive and devastating.

In the hours and days that followed, we saw the footage from Fort Myers Beach that looked like a bomb scene, shell-shocked locals who could have as easily been us surveying the damage, and learned that the paradise vacation islands of Sanibel and Captiva had been effectively cut off with the causeway that connects them to the mainland having washed away and collapsed in the storm surge.

Damage from Hurricane Ian on the causeway leading to Sanibel Island from Fort Myers, Florida

Photo by Gerald Herbert/AP

It’s been a week since Hurricane Ian unleashed its devastating Category 4 fury and 150-mile-per-hour winds on southwest Florida on September 28 (after decimating parts of western Cuba’s Pinar del Río region enroute).

In addition to the damage in southwest Florida, catastrophic flooding ensued in locations in central and eastern Florida during record rainfall in what may amount to Florida’s most expensive storm ever.

According to research on uninsured losses, Ian’s financial toll is estimated to be as high as $47 billion. And the storm’s human toll is still being tallied— storm-related deaths had reached 109 as of press time (105 of which were in Florida) and continue to mount. Then there are the catastrophic damages in lives upended that are far more difficult to quantify as people everywhere from Sanibel Island and Fort Myers to central Florida and east coast beach towns in Volusia and Flagler counties, impacted by severe flooding, grapple with the next, daunting steps in rebuilding their lives.

Beachgoers pass a collapsed pool deck on October 3 in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida—hotel and condo seawalls and decks along the coastline were gutted by Hurricane Ian last week.

I am from Florida, and the threat of hurricanes during the Atlantic hurricane season that runs from June 1 through November 30 is as much a part of life here as the ample sunshine. More often than not, we get lucky. But Ian was the one we’d been fearing.

In Fort Myers Beach, one of places hardest hit by Ian’s wrath, authorities estimate over 80 percent of the structures will have to be rebuilt, with entire communities having effectively been swept away by the storm surge.

To the north, Pine Island’s roads connecting it to the mainland have also been washed away, leaving the island accessible by boat only (if you can find one that has survived the storm). A temporary bridge to connect Pine Island residents to the mainland is scheduled to be in place by the end of this week, just a drop in the bucket in the rebuilding necessary in this part of Florida in the coming months and years.

And away from the scenic beaches, in poorer neighborhoods that hardly register on Florida’s tourist radar—including Harlem Heights , a mostly Hispanic neighborhood between Fort Myers Beach and Cape Coral where the median income was under $26,000 in 2020—conditions are dire after Ian’s punishing floods and winds, too. Helpers there continue to arrive to restock the area’s flooded food pantry and distribute water and food.

Residents pick up free perishable food items at a Publix in Pine Island, Florida, on October 4.

Photo by Scott Clause/The News-Press via AP

More than 2.5 million people in Florida were without power at the height of the storm-related outages. And some 42,000 linemen—the workers responsible for repairing, maintaining, and installing high-powered electrical lines in both normal and troubled times—from utility companies from across Florida and around the country are working tirelessly to restore it to communities here, a process that could take weeks or months. A friend in Naples tells me exhausted linemen with nowhere to sleep or shower are staying in their trucks, and locals are gathering wet wipes and deodorant for them.

On Sunday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s office reported that more than 1,600 rescues had been made in Florida so far, with over 1,000 team members dedicated to ongoing search and rescue.

In addition to the numbers reported in the news, there are the personal ones circulating on social media in Florida circles—of a mother, Callie Brown, and her partner who dumped Christmas decorations from plastic storage bins as water rose to their attic and loaded their three-month-old son and cat inside to swim for their lives down what was once their street, of residents warning people against swimming in once pristine Gulf of Mexico waters where bodies have been seen floating. It’s a tragedy that will continue to unfold in the coming days and weeks, even as hurricane season in these parts still has nearly two full months left to go.

Andre McCourt throws away water-logged furniture from his home in North Port, Florida.

Photo by Chris O’Meara/AP

How to help the people of Florida

If you live in Florida or have connections to the state, chances are your social media feeds are full of ways to help hurricane victims right now—from neighbors bringing supplies down to southwestern Florida, to Facebook parent groups organizing fundraisers and diaper drives and neighborhood lemonade stands run by kids and local businesses donating their profits. The Florida Disaster Fund (a private fund run by the state) reportedly raised $21 million in relief efforts in its first 48 hours of activation.

For those watching the devastation from afar and wondering how to help, the notable organizations working to assist in the recovery efforts include major aid groups, such as the Red Cross and United Way Worldwide . But take note of these grassroots efforts on the ground right now in Florida, too, to direct your money and time to best help the people and places that need it the most. For those interested in volunteering, it would be wise to align with an official group of organized volunteers (like All Hands and Hearts mentioned below) and be sure to inquire about housing, which could be in short supply, in advance.

Ian Response Fund

A network of on-the-ground, grassroots organizations (including Dream Defenders, Florida Rising, and Florida Immigrant Coalition) that teamed up in the wake of Hurricane Irma to raise nearly $2 million in aid is behind the Ian Response Fund . Its mission is to provide emergency aid, working closely with organizations in the impacted communities.

Metropolitan Ministries

The commercial kitchen of the Tampa-based Metropolitan Ministries works with underserved and impoverished communities is being used by chef José Andrés and the team from World Central Kitchen as a prep ground and distribution hub for thousands of meals bound for people in Florida’s affected areas. You can donate money or your time to help with tasks in Tampa through Metropolitan Ministries or directly through World Central Kitchen , which opened another kitchen in Fort Myers this week.

Collaboratory

Based in Fort Myers, the Southwest Florida community foundation Collaboratory works with the United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades counties to collect and distribute funds to areas experiencing the most immediate needs, putting 100 percent of its funds toward southwest Florida nonprofit organizations directly helping the people affected by Hurricane Ian.

Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida

If you’re in the Fort Myers area and able to help, you can volunteer on the ground or donate to the largest hunger-relief network in southwest Florida—the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida . It is currently distributing ready-to-eat meals, bottled water, fresh produce, and shelf-stable food to impacted people at locations in Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, and elsewhere in the affected area.

Captains for Clean Water

Another Fort Myers–based grassroots group (this one was started by Florida fishing guides in 2016), Captains for Clean Water sets up drop-off sites across Florida, in cities like St. Pete, Jupiter, Melbourne, and Islamorada, for collecting relief essentials (from generators and chainsaws to batteries and pet food), delivering them to those in need. You can also donate directly to Captains for Clean Water’s Hurricane Ian Relief Fund, where all the money goes to supplies and support.

All Hands and Hearts

This group was on the ground in Haiti, Nepal, and Louisiana following natural disasters in those destinations as well as others, and All Hands and Hearts is assembling a volunteer Hurricane Ian Relief Team in Florida right now for arrivals after October 7 and through January 7, 2023, for on the ground support with cleanup, rebuilding, and other community needs. If you can’t volunteer, you can donate to the cause.

Collier County has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Here's a guide for summer

Brown pelicans crash into tiny rolling waves as black skimmers use their sharp bills to slice through the surface of the Gulf of Mexico.

Shiny shells and salmon-hued bits of sponge tumble in the frothy white waters that lap along the shoreline.

Golden rays from the sun blast across the sky, breaking through the palm trees, sea grape trees and mansions and create huge shadows on the white sand.

This is it: Naples Beach. That place that so many people write about online.

Everyone from U.S. News and World Report to Dr. Beach himself have glamorized Naples-area beaches as being among the best in Florida , the best in the nation, the tops in the world.

And these are your beaches: it says so on the parking signs. Only residents with parking passes may use the lots here. If you live outside the area and can't get a permit, you'll have to race down to park near the old Naples Pier.

That may explain why the beach is virtually empty on this beautiful summer morning. No joggers, no swimmers, few strollers. Just the Gulf of Mexico, some birds and a monolithic slice of sand.

Collier County has about 30 miles of beaches stretching from just south of Bonita Springs to Marco Island. That doesn't count the undeveloped beaches in the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge and Everglades National Park, which have dozens of small beach islands.

And while almost all beaches were impacted by Hurricane Ian in 2022, many renourishment and beach-rebuilding projects are already underway or completed.

Some beaches still lack the accommodations and facilities they offered pre-storm, but the beaches themselves are as beautiful as always.

They range from quant, untouched shorelines to the old Naples Pier, where fisherman, swimmers, sunbathers and surfers flock during all times of the year.

But summertime is really the time to celebrate local beaches as the water temperatures are finally warm enough for a comfortable dip in the Gulf.

Here is a look at five of the best beaches in the Naples-Collier area:

Barefoot Beach State Preserve Park ― Top Nature Preserve

To get to the Collier's northernmost beach, you actually have to travel through Bonita Springs in Lee County and go south on Lely Barefoot Boulevard, but it's certainly worth the trip for beachgoers, nature-lovers and anglers.

For Cindy Dolmage, president of Friends of Barefoot Beach State Preserve Park, Barefoot Beach is just a great place to relax.

"Barefoot Beach’s charms are the nature, the birds, the tortoises and the sea turtles," said Dolmage, who lives just north of the preserve. "It has a lot of natural coastal habitat. It has the mangroves and there are several different environments in one space, and it’s allowed to be natural."

Hurricane Ian hit Barefoot Beach hard with several feet of storm surge.

"Out of all the beaches in Collier, Barefoot was the most significantly damaged by Ian, and the government started rehabbing the beaches south to north, so Barefoot is the last one," she said.

More: Will sargassum wreak havoc on SWFL beaches this summer?

Dolmage said nature at the preserve park is coming back, and that sea turtles are nesting there this summer.

"The ranger’s station is gone and there's just access to the beach at this point and portable restrooms, but they’re actually experiencing a record number of turtle nests and the gopher tortoises seem to be coming back even though every one of their nests were flooded," Dolmage said. "It’s a classic example of: if you leave the natural shoreline in place, fewer bad things happen."

One of the last undeveloped barrier islands from Marco Island north, Barefoot Beach Preserve State Park is 342 acres of coastal paradise.

Most of the preserve's coast is a straight line of white sand beach, but the land swirls near the pass, and the sandy beach extends into the pass and creates a small lagoon, where shoreline and wading birds gather to feed and rest.

"The classic beach day is just enjoying the beach, reading a book, playing in the water and looking for shells," Dolmage said. "That’s a lot of it. There’s some fishing and there’s kayaking and canoeing, too."

The preserve has historically held lectures and nature walks during season, but most programming has been cancelled since Ian.

"Now we’re in a holding pattern with the county to see what they’re going to restore, and to see what we can restore but we’re hoping for a rebirth," Dolmage said.

Park hours are 8 am to sunset daily, and non-residents and those without a parking pass must pay a $10 parking fee.

More: Florida asks feds to let more than 1,000 permits slide after judge rules process illegal

Vanderbilt Beach ― Best Family Beach

The water just seems to always be clearer at Vanderbilt Beach.

This ritzy stretch of sand is popular with tourists but also locals as there is a massive parking garage nearby, a huge beach for strolling and sunbathing, and sandwich shops and stores within walking distance.

Home to exclusive places like the Ritz-Carlton, Naples and The Turtle Club Restaurant, Vanderbilt Beach has nice amenities and a great family atmosphere.

The sand is expansive here, with plenty of space to sprawl or throw footballs or Frisbees.

It's not the best place to drop off recreational toys like paddleboards as the beach and its nearby attractions drive a lot of foot traffic.

Visitors without a beach permit must pay $10 to use the parking garage.

More: What will 'wilderness' designation mean for the Big Cypress, swamp buggy riders?

Naples Pier ― Best Beach for Water Recreation

Naples beach and the pier area are missing their top attraction: the pier itself, but this is still one of the area's top spots for kiteboarding and paddleboarding.

Parking here can be troublesome ― even during the low-key summer months — but the beach is worth the wait here as it's expansive.

It's a good beach for a wide variety of uses. It's a great place for a jog but also a place where you can find fly fishermen plying the coast at sunrise.

The city of Naples oversees 9 miles of fluffy sand beaches along the Gulf of Mexico.

Parking is reserved for pass holders and residents.

Keewaydin Island ― Best Boating Beach

This is where people go to cool off during the summer months, where dozens of boats will line the beach on a calm day.

This is also where most of the local, big-boat parties are held after events like the Great Dock Canoe Race.

Keewaydin stretches for almost 8 miles, starting just south of Naples and the Port Royal neighborhood.

Ask someone who grew up here or is in the boating community and you'll likely hear tails of drunken debauchery of some sorts, unexpected camping, dogs that have been lost on the island, deer that live on the island, and mostly good fun.

Keewaydin is open 24 hours a day and there is no parking available, nor fees for boats.

Marco Island's Tigertail Beach ― Best Birding Beach

Tigertail Beach on Marco Island is one of the most unique bits of sand in Southwest Florida.

It runs parallel to the shoreline of the island, and a massive section of the beach breaks off from the island and stretches into the Gulf of Mexico.

What is basically a gigantic sandbar, the dry sand forms a long peninsula that wraps around the west coast of Marco and stretches into Capri Pass and Marco Bay.

The massive sandbar creates a giant lagoon, which draws lots of shoreline and wading birds, some of the rarest in the region.

"If you take the time to walk up from Resident's Beach, it really kind of seems like the old natural Florida," said Megan Hatten, the Southwest Florida shorebird project manager for Audubon Florida. "It's just beautiful, and you can see a whole range of birds there. Now we have a small colony of black skimmers and Wilson's plover, but during the wintertime we'll have migrating birds and roseate spoonbills and reddish egrets."

Hatten said Tigertail gives visitors a sense of remoteness while connecting to more developed parts of the shoreline.

More: Whirling mystery: Why are elevated toxin levels in Florida Keys still killing fish?

"It kind of gets you away from the downtown life for me," Hatten said. "There's no concession or hotel right on the beach there. It's rustic but it's really nice to be able to be there and not get the hustle and bustles of other beaches."

The giant lagoon is home to a variety of shorebird habitat, and the extensive system draws everything from black skimmers to reddish egrets.

"It has that nice tucked in lagoon, and then an open shoreline so you can see wide range of birds," Hatten said. "I feel like every time I'm in Tigertail I see something cool and different. Right now, we're seeing manatees coming through."

Photos: This is what Florida looks like after Hurricane Ian

Images of the aftermath show a glimpse of the destruction caused by the powerful Category 4 hurricane: homes washed out, boats yanked from their moorings, and decimated neighborhoods.

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.

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

A day after creating historic flooding in Florida and leaving much of the state without power, Ian is out over the Atlantic and heading toward South Carolina, where it is expected to make its second U.S. landfall on Friday.

Here's what we're following:

• The storm is thought to have brought more than 17 inches of rain over West-Central Florida, the National Weather Service says.
• The historic Naples Pier was reportedly destroyed under waves at least 20 feet high, and parts of the only bridge linking Sanibel Island to the mainland were washed away.
• The two coastal counties hit the hardest — Lee County, home to Fort Myers and Cape Coral, and Charlotte County to the north — are “ basically off the grid ,” the governor said.

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, 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 ?

Fort Myers will never be the same again, a survivor says

By Manuela López Restrepo

As a born and raised resident of Fort Myers, Fla., Bobby Pratt has been dealing with hurricanes since he was two months old. But the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian was beyond what he could have imagined.

"Carnage is what I can describe it as. I was just in shock," he said on Thursday in the aftermath. "I could just see that it was going to be bad, worse than I could have ever thought it was."

More footage of Times Square Fort Myers Beach LEVELED after #HurricaneIan #HurricanIan #Ian #FortMyers pic.twitter.com/v2XglsdMAr — Smurph (@swmurfl) September 29, 2022

Pratt is a student at the University of Central Florida and had come home to ride out the storm with his parents after his classes were cancelled. While his family home suffered some damage, they were able to stay safe and sheltered.

When he went down to the beachside, he said, buildings had been reduced to rubble.

"Those places have been there a long time on the beach. My dad went to those when he was young, his dad went to the places when he was younger. Those places have been there a long time," Pratt said. "They really made Fort Myers what it was. And now that they're gone, I don't think it'll ever be the same."

Fort Myers Beach Times Square LEVELED following #HurricaneIan #Ian #HurricanIan pic.twitter.com/V3gHTs5Mx8 — Smurph (@swmurfl) September 29, 2022

Florida’s biggest power company warns that parts of the grid will need to be rebuilt

By Michael Copley

Parts of Florida’s power grid will need to be rebuilt after Hurricane Ian flooded some areas with storm surges of up to 12 feet, according to Florida Power & Light , the state’s biggest power utility.

“Pure wind damage, you know, is really more just restoration,” John Ketchum, the chief executive of FP&L’s parent company, NextEra Energy, said at an investor conference on Thursday.

But flood damage “is different,” he said. “That can actually result in a rebuild in some areas.”

More than 2.6 million electricity customers in Florida were without power on Thursday. Two coastal counties that were hit the hardest — Lee County and Charlotte County — are “ basically off the grid at this point ,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a news conference.

On Sanibel Island off Florida’s southwest coast, structures and roads were washed away by a storm surge that DeSantis described as “biblical.”

“This could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida’s history,” President Biden told reporters after a briefing at the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Washington, D.C. Biden said there were early reports of “substantial loss of life.”

Ketchum, NextEra’s CEO, said overhead power lines that deliver electricity to people’s homes — known as distribution lines — are the most vulnerable parts of the system.

He expects the damage caused by Hurricane Ian will create more urgency to bury those lines underground.

With climate change making powerful, wetter hurricanes more likely, the National Science Foundation said earlier this month that strategically burying sections of power lines could significantly reduce the number of residents who experience blackouts.

“[That] is where you have your risk, right, is what I call that last mile, which is the distribution system going from transmission [line] to the home,” Ketchum said.

Ian re-strengthens into a hurricane as it heads toward South Carolina

By Jonathan Franklin

Ian has strengthened into a hurricane once again.

In its 5 p.m. ET advisory Thursday, the National Hurricane Center says Ian regained hurricane status with sustained winds of 75 mph.

Ian is expected to make landfall in South Carolina on Friday afternoon.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster issued a hurricane warning for portions of his state’s coast.

“If you haven’t yet made plans for every contingency, this afternoon is the time to do so,” McMaster said in a news release . “With the potential for hurricane force winds along our coast, it’s important for South Carolinians to plan now."

Kim Stenson, South Carolina Emergency Management director, said in a statement that while the state will not see the full force of Ian as Florida did, heavy rain, wind and flash flooding are a possibility with the storm's arrival.

“Over the next day, it will be vital for everyone to be prepared to act if told to do so by your local public safety officials," Stenson said.

State officials are urging residents in low-lying areas prone to flooding, particularly along the coast, to have a plan to evacuate to higher ground if their homes become unsafe.

Hurricane #Ian Advisory 29: Ian Becomes a Hurricane Again. Taking Aim At the Carolinas and Georgia With Life-Threatening Flooding, Storm Surge and Strong Winds. https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB — National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 29, 2022

More than 3,000 nursing home residents have been evacuated in Florida

More than 40 nursing homes across Florida have been evacuated due to Hurricane Ian, according to the Florida Health Care Association.

As of this morning, about 3,400 nursing home residents were evacuated across 44 facilities on the state’s west coast.

“Our hearts are with our heroic caregivers who have been working around the clock to keep their residents safe which is always the top priority,” association spokesperson Kristen Knapp told NPR.

In southwest Florida, roughly 15 to 20 facilities are without power, but do have generators that are operating, Knapp said.

The IRS gives Floridians more time to pay their federal taxes

Hurricane Ian victims throughout Florida now have until Feb. 15, 2023, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, the IRS said Thursday.

The agency says it is offering tax relief to households and individuals that either reside or have a business anywhere in Florida designated by FEMA.

The Feb. 15 deadline also applies to quarterly estimated income tax payments due on Jan. 17, 2023, and the quarterly payroll and excise tax returns due on Oct. 31, 2022, and Jan. 31, 2023, according to the IRS.

The IRS noted that because tax payments related to 2021 returns were due on April 18, 2022, these payments are not eligible for relief.

Here’s a list of the localities eligible for tax relief.

North Carolina's governor urges residents to stay aware and prepare ahead of Ian

Gov. Roy Cooper is encouraging all North Carolinians to take necessary precautions as the remnants of Hurricane Ian begin to approach the state.

Ian is expected to begin affecting North Carolina as soon as Thursday evening. Residents in North Carolina can experience potential impacts such as significant rainfall statewide, gusty winds, flash flooding and storm surge in coastal counties, according to state officials.

"Hurricane Ian reminds us how unpredictable these storms can be and North Carolinians should be prepared when it reaches our state,” Cooper said in a news release. “This storm is still dangerous.”

Hurricane Ian has landed a devastating blow to Florida, and we’ll feel the remnants of it in North Carolina tomorrow. While we get ready, our thoughts are with the people who have already faced the brunt of this storm, and we have provided some logistical help to Florida. https://t.co/pCNYik2ss8 — Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) September 29, 2022

Ahead of Ian's arrival, Cooper declared a state of emergency in which he activated the state’s emergency operations plan, waived transportation rules governing fuel and critical supplies as well as protecting people from price gouging.

Additionally, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster issued a hurricane warning for portions his state’s coast.

“If you haven’t yet made plans for every contingency, this afternoon is the time to do so,” McMaster said. “With the potential for hurricane force winds along our coast, it’s important for South Carolinians to plan now."

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp advised residents to take the necessary precautions ahead of Ian's arrival, issuing a state of emergency for all 159 counties in his state.

Disney World says it plans to resume normal operations on Friday

Walt Disney World says it plans to reopen its theme park and resorts in a phased approach starting Friday as weather conditions improve.

“While theme parks and many operating areas remain closed to guests today, we anticipate weather conditions to improve this evening,” the company said in its statement.

The company says it will continue to closely monitor weather conditions and will assess the impact of Hurricane Ian across its property.

“We thank our first responders and community leaders for their courageous efforts in preparing for and managing the storm’s impact,” the company adds.

Walt Disney World Resort Update on Hurricane Ian – For the latest information, visit: https://t.co/exDzqxeeEG pic.twitter.com/oaO2J9bmfl — Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) September 29, 2022

Lee County government leaders say the county water system has failed

By Russell Lewis

Roger Desjarlais, county manager of Lee County, Fla., says the county’s water systems have failed following Hurricane Ian.

Desjarlais told reporters Thursday that officials are searching for the source of the failures and hope it will be resolved in the next day or so. A boil order remains in place countywide.

In addition, nearly 4,000 people across Lee County are currently staying in 15 shelters. Desjarlais says the county has space for up to 40,000 residents. He told reporters that he expects the shelters to fill up as people struggle with no power and little water.

Lee County officials are also working to increase water, ice and food supplies throughout the county, according to Desjarlais.

A countywide curfew remains in place until further notice.

The Tampa Bay Bucs say Sunday night's NFL game will be played at home

Sunday night’s NFL game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs will go on as scheduled in Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.

In a statement released on Thursday , the day after Hurricane Ian devastated the southwest Florida coast, team officials say the game will not be rescheduled.

"Our thoughts and prayers remain with the many thousands in the Southwest Florida region who have been severely impacted by Hurricane Ian," the franchise said in its statement.

We will have additional information soon on ways we can join together to support our community and those most impacted by the storm. https://t.co/TJV1rUgbSo — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 29, 2022

"We are also very thankful that the Tampa Bay area was spared the most damaging consequences of this powerful storm," the statement continues.

The Bucs say the franchise will provide additional resources and information for those in the Tampa area who are in need of assistance after the storm.

Sunday’s game is scheduled to kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET.

How to stay informed as Hurricane Ian moves north

By Emily Alfin Johnson

Rachel Treisman

As Ian moves over Florida and north along the Atlantic, here's how to get the latest storm updates from across the region:

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

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric 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 .

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 .

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

Atlanta, Savannah ( GPB )

• Emergency Information Center

Atlanta, Savannah ( WABE )

South Carolina

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

South Carolina Public Radio

North Carolina

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

Asheville ( Blue Ridge Public Radio )

Charlotte (WFAE)

Durham-Chapel Hill ( WUNC )

Wilmington ( WHQR )

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.

Here's how to keep up with your local station:

Tampa Bay ( WUSF )

Miami ( WLRN )

Fort Myers ( WGCU )

Orlando ( WMFE )

Jacksonville ( WJCT )

Biden warns gas and oil executives against price gouging, post-hurricane

President Biden repeated his warnings to oil and gas executives about hiking gasoline prices in the wake of the storm, noting that less than 2% of daily production had been affected by the storm.

"Do not. Do not. Do not use this storm as an excuse to raise gasoline prices or gouge the American public," Biden said during remarks while visiting FEMA headquarters.

"America is watching and the industry should do the right thing. I expect them to do the right thing," he added.

See the scenes of devastation from above

By Rachel Treisman

Emergency responders and county officials are taking to the skies to survey the storm damage and search for people in distress. The footage they're sharing on social media helps convey the scope of the destruction.

Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno shared this video from a flyover of his county, a particularly hard-hit coastal area where an estimated 90% of the region is now without power. Here's what that looked like:

This morning Sheriff Carmine Marceno took a tour of Lee County to begin assessing damage caused by Hurricane Ian. We are devastated. Our hearts go out to every resident who is impacted. The Lee County Sheriffs Office is mobile and will stop at nothing to help our residents. pic.twitter.com/S4OsB8ajRv — Carmine Marceno - Florida’s Law and Order Sheriff (@SheriffLeeFL) September 29, 2022

The U.S. Coast Guard has also been flying over the area and sharing footage from above. You can view those photos here .

#HurricaneOps @USCG Air Station #Clearwater Jayhawks aircrews fly over #KeyWest searching for people in distress and assessing damages during the storm. #SAR pic.twitter.com/BvGXyFW2k0 — USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) September 29, 2022

Photojournalists have also started to capture aerial images, like these:

Biden says Ian could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida's history

President Biden visited FEMA headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Thursday to hear about the federal response to Hurricane Ian.

“This could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida’s history,” Biden told reporters after his briefing. With the numbers still unclear, the president noted there had been early reports of “substantial loss of life.”

Biden said he spoke with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis along with mayors and local officials about their needs for the federal response.

“At times like this, America comes together. We’re going to pull together as one team, as one America,” Biden said. “We’re going to do everything we can to provide whatever they need.”

I’m delivering remarks following a briefing on impacts from Hurricane Ian and ongoing Federal response efforts. https://t.co/eDUV0N39W8 — President Biden (@POTUS) September 29, 2022

Biden told reporters he plans to visit Florida to thank first responders “when conditions allow" and would also meet with DeSantis, if he is available. The president said he intends to visit Puerto Rico, as well.

Biden was asked by a reporter to describe his relationship and conversations with DeSantis -- a Republican who has fiercely opposed the administration on a host of issues.

“This is not about anything having to do with our disagreements politically,” Biden said. “This is about saving people's lives, homes and businesses.”

He urged Floridians to obey warnings and directions from emergency officials. “Don’t go outside unless you absolutely have to. It’s risky for you,” Biden said.

Tampa International Airport will reopen Friday

Tampa International Airport says it will resume normal operations on Friday starting at 10 a.m. ET.

In a release tweeted Thursday morning, officials say airport maintenance and operations staff inspected the facilities Thursday morning and did not discover any serious damage as a result of the storm.

TPA TO REOPEN FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, AT 10 AM ☑️ TPA sustained no major damage from #HurricaneIan 🚫 We remain closed to the public today ⏰ If you are flying out on Friday, arrive at least 2 hours early ✈️ Check directly with your airline for flight status updates pic.twitter.com/jZrPdsfxuk — Tampa International Airport ✈️ (@FlyTPA) September 29, 2022

Tampa Airport officials urge passengers who are flying out on Friday to arrive at least two hours before their scheduled departure.

Hard-hit hospitals are evacuating patients, and others may feel the strain

Hospitals in regions hit by Hurricane Ian are moving patients out of facilities, some because they're out of water and others because their buildings are full of it.

Nine hospitals in Lee County lost water as a result of the storm, according to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell.

She told MSNBC's Morning Joe on Thursday that the state is in the process of determining whether water can be restored or if they'll have to evacuate those hospitals.

Hundreds of patients are being evacuated from hospitals across the Fort Myers region on Thursday, the Associated Press reports.

Some of those facilities had to move patients because of structural damage or rising flood waters — as was the case at the Avante nursing home in Orlando, where local media captured footage of responders carrying people through high waters on stretchers.

Mary Mayhew, the president of the Florida Hospital Association, told the AP that other hospitals could feel the strain of the evacuations.

“There is considerable effort underway to rescue individuals who also will need medical care," she said. "And to identify hospital beds available either in the region or elsewhere."

The AP also spoke with Dr. Birgit Bodine of HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital in Port Charlotte, where staff members had to move ICU patients (some of whom were on ventilators) onto the few floors that were not damaged.

Bodine said it's already crowded, and that's not including additional patients transported with injuries from the storm.

“The ambulances may be coming soon and we don’t know where to put them in the hospital at this point,” she said. “Because we’re doubled and tripled up.”

Several hospital systems in Florida had preemptively transferred patients to other facilities and canceled nonessential procedures in advance of the storm.

As of 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday — prior to the hurricane making landfall — the Florida Hospital Association said 15 hospitals had carried out evacuations affecting 350 patients. At the time, 22.3% of the state's hospital beds were available.

Lee County sheriff says the hurricane took lives, but it's not yet clear how many

In a live interview with the NBC affiliate in Fort Myers, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno clarified his earlier remarks during a national broadcast on Good Morning America.

He said then that “the death toll is in the hundreds” following Hurricane Ian. Clips of that interview appear to no longer be available on GMA's website or Twitter.

Later Thursday morning, Marceno said:

“The deaths could be in the hundreds. We just don’t know. We just don’t know the numbers. We have confirmed deaths — just don’t know that number or how many.”

All of South Carolina's coast is now under a hurricane warning

The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Ian has crossed into the Atlantic Ocean after moving across Central Florida.

It has sustained winds of 70 mph — which is just 4 mph short of Category 1 hurricane strength. The NHC expects it to come ashore in South Carolina on Friday before moving slowly northward across the state.

In its 11 a.m. ET advisory, National Weather Service issued a hurricane warning for all of South Carolina's coast, meaning that "hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area."

"Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion," it adds.

Here are the 11 AM EDT 9/29 Key Messages for Tropical Storm #Ian . A Hurricane Warning has been issued for the entire coastline of South Carolina now that Ian is expected to regain hurricane intensity. Latest Advisory: https://t.co/tnOTyg5UEw pic.twitter.com/yTeI5RVfzT — National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 29, 2022

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster signed an emergency declaration on Wednesday to activate the state's emergency preparations plan (Georgia's governor did so earlier in the week as well). Here's a guide to state resources to prepare for a hurricane.

Utility crews from more than 30 states are positioned to aid in the recovery

By David Schaper

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is ready to help with rescue and recovery as soon as it's safe to move into areas hit by Hurricane Ian, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said Wednesday evening.

FEMA's urban search and rescue teams, as well as teams from the Coast Guard, the Department of Defense, other federal agencies and the state of Florida were standing by in Miami on Wednesday, ready to respond and lead search and rescue efforts by land, air and sea.

There were stockpiles of fuel, power generators, and other critical items, as well as personnel to survey damage staged inside and outside of the hardest hit areas, with trucks and heavy equipment ready and waiting.

"We are going to continue to move equipment in as we see where the impacts of the storm are," Criswell said. "And we pre-positioned quite a bit of equipment so we can respond immediately."

More than 33,000 utility workers from more than 30 states were responding Wednesday night, as they were pre-positioned in areas just outside of harm's way, said Scott Aaronson, who heads up disaster preparedness for the Edison Electric Institute, an organization representing all of the nation's investor-owned electric companies.

"Once the storm clears, we do have crews as far away as Alabama and Georgia and up in the Carolinas and from the West, who are going to be ready to then funnel in to the affected area once ... it's safe to do so," Aaronson said.

Meanwhile, nonprofit relief organizations have worked with state and federal officials to fill up warehouses in the region with food, water, clothing and other essentials.

"We have 3.7 million meals and 3.5 million liters of water staged in Alabama," Criswell said. "And there are multiple volunteer agencies that are staged and prepared to perform feeding operations as soon as it is safe to do so."

TV reporter carries a woman to safety after water drowned her car

By Bill Chappell

The terrible flooding that Hurricane Ian brought to Florida left a nurse stranded in her car — until a TV reporter nearby went to her rescue.

WESH TV’s Tony Atkins was covering the storm’s impact on Orange County when he saw the woman in distress. In a dramatic scene captured on video , he then carried her on his back until they reached higher ground. In one hand, he also carried her purse.

During our live coverage, our reporter @TonyAtkinsTV stopped to save a woman who got stuck in some heavy flooding. "I just had to." What a hero! pic.twitter.com/yEuNhD9EqW — Caelan Dooley (@caelandooley) September 29, 2022

“I just had to,” Atkins said, according to his colleague Caelan Dooley , a producer at WESH.

Atkins had been reporting on flooded roads in downtown Orlando, where several hospitals are located.

“She was inside the car, she was waving and just screaming for help,” Atkins said moments afterward, as he reported from the scene. She had been trying to go to work, he said, and hadn't realized the water was so deep until it was too late.

"Thank God" they were able to make it to safety quickly, he added.

WESH posted the video on Facebook , along with a warning: “Never attempt to drive through or go into high water.”

Atkins says the woman's daughter later sent him a thank-you message, in which she said that as an essential worker, her mother faced possible termination if she didn't report to work.

Gov. DeSantis says reports of fatalities in Lee County are unconfirmed

By Becky Sullivan

Reports of fatalities in Lee County are not confirmed, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday.

The governor’s comments came in response to a Thursday morning TV interview by Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, in which the sheriff said, “fatalities are in the hundreds.”

Speaking at a press conference later Thursday morning, DeSantis said officials had not yet been able to confirm any fatalities. Instead, he said, the sheriff had made a guess based on the number of 9-1-1 calls the county had received.

“That number that was put out by Lee [County] is basically an estimate of — these people were calling, the water was rising on their home, they may not have ended up getting through,” DeSantis said. “We’re obviously hoping that they can be rescued at this point.”

Speaking on ABC’s Good Morning America , the Lee County sheriff had stressed that he could not give a “true assessment” until search and rescue teams were able to reach the affected areas.

Still, the sheriff said that hundreds had died. “I don’t have confirmed numbers. I definitely know the fatalities are in the hundreds. There are thousands of people that are waiting to be rescued,” Marceno said.

Lee County includes the hard-hit cities of Fort Myers and Cape Coral. Many houses in the area are barely above sea level, especially in Cape Coral, where homes are arranged along a network of canals. Videos showed a storm surge reaching near the roofs of some homes.

The governor added that two people so far had been found dead, but couldn’t yet say definitively if the fatalities were linked to the storm.

Biden and DeSantis are coordinating on hurricane recovery efforts

President Biden spoke with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday morning to discuss federal support for the state's response to Hurricane Ian.

The White House said in a statement that Biden told the governor he will be sending FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell to Florida on Friday "to check in on response efforts and see where additional support is needed."

"The President and Governor committed to continued close coordination," the readout concluded.

It's their second phone call about the storm this week. Biden called DeSantis on Tuesday evening, shortly after the governor said at a press conference that he had not heard from him about the hurricane.

Biden approved a disaster declaration for the state of Florida on Thursday morning, making federal funding available for local recovery efforts. It will be available to affected individuals in the following nine counties: Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota.

In a press conference Thursday morning, DeSantis explained that will allow individual Floridians, especially those who have been displaced by the storm, to seek assistance from FEMA. He also said he expects a similar declaration to be made for other countries in the state.

"I just spoke with the president this morning," DeSantis said. "He offered support, I told him thanks for this, but because the storm has moved inland and caused a lot of potential damage in the center part of our state that we were gonna be asking for those counties to be expanded and included there."

He urged people affected by the storm to take pictures of the waterline in their homes and seek disaster assistance by visiting fema.gov or calling 1-800-621-3262.

2 Florida counties are 'basically off the grid,' Gov. DeSantis says

More than 2 million homes in Florida were without power, Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a press conference Thursday morning.

The two coastal counties most directly hit by the storm — Lee County, home to Fort Myers and Cape Coral, along with Charlotte County, its neighbor to the north — are “basically off the grid at this point,” DeSantis said.

About 75% of the power outages are concentrated across seven southwest Florida counties nearest where the hurricane came ashore. Additional outages in central and northeast Florida, where the hurricane continued after making landfall, could add to the total over the course of the day.

Hillsborough County, home to Tampa, and Sarasota County each had more than 200,000 reported outages.

The damage in Charlotte and Lee County is extensive enough that power infrastructure will require significant rebuilding, the governor added. “There are linemen, there are crews on their way down right now. But that’s going to be more than just connecting a power line back to a pole,” he said.

Communications infrastructure, like cell towers, was also disrupted by the storm. The state has deployed 100 portable cell towers to bring mobile service back to the affected region. Assessments will continue throughout the day.

Naples Pier, a symbol of the city, is reportedly wiped out

Naples Pier — one of the city's most iconic structures and top tourist attractions — has been lost to Hurricane Ian, an official said on Thursday.

Collier County commissioner Penny Taylor said the storm sent waves at least 20 feet high crashing over the historic structure and even tore out its foundation, according to the Associated Press .

“Right now, there is no pier,” Taylor said.

The pier has been a hallmark of Naples since it was completed in 1889 (originally to help transport guests to and from the Old Naples Hotel). A recognizable figure at the municipal beach, it stretched 1,000 feet into the Gulf of Mexico and offered panoramic views as well as plenty of space for fishing.

And for admirers who don't live nearby, the Naples Pier live cam streams 360-degree views of the scene, including many a sunrise and sunset.

In fact, the cameras were still rolling as Hurricane Ian approached. The live stream is unavailable as of Thursday morning, with the screen showing a still photo of waves crashing over the pier against a gray sky.

Here's what the storm looked like at the pier, in footage posted to YouTube by the live streaming company EarthCam:

"It’s hard to fathom life here without this treasure," reads part of a document on the Naples Panorama website about the pier's history.

It notes that the pier has had some close calls in the last century-plus. It was damaged by a variety of storms (and one fire) throughout the first half of the 20th century and needed to be rebuilt after being totally destroyed by hurricanes in 1910 and 1960.

The pier hasn't suffered major damage from storms in the past five decades, the fact sheet says, though it has undergone repairs over the years. Its floor boards were replaced in a major 2015 renovation, and it temporarily shut down for repairs after Hurricane Irma in 2017.

The only bridge linking Sanibel Island to the mainland has collapsed

Hurricane Ian destroyed several portions of the Sanibel Causeway, the only bridge that leads to Sanibel Island.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis confirmed at a Thursday morning briefing that the Sanibel Causeway is one of at least two bridges that are "impassable" and will "require structural rebuilds."

At least three sections of the causeway were washed away by the storm surge, CNN affiliates WBBH and WPLG report , cutting the Sanibel and Captiva islands off from the rest of the state.

Sanibel is a barrier island, home to some 6,500 people and located just south of where the hurricane made landfall.

Lee County had ordered the entirety of the island to evacuate before the storm hit. It would appear that anyone who stayed behind is now stuck there.

That's according to NBC2 anchor Kyla Galer, who tweeted a photo of the disjointed bridge early Thursday morning.

A chunk of the Sanibel Causeway has collapsed into the Gulf of Mexico. This is the only way on and off the island of Sanibel. That means anyone who didn’t evacuate is stuck for now. #HurricaneIanupdate #HurricanIan pic.twitter.com/hAYQQHcLMM — Kyla Galer (@kylagaler) September 29, 2022

The same sight was confirmed by Tampa Bay Times reporter Zachary T. Sampson and photojournalist Douglas R. Clifford, who ventured out of their Fort Myers hotel room in the early hours of Thursday morning to check on the damage and publish eyewitness accounts on the Times' website .

In a dispatch at 2 a.m. ET, they reported that the half-mile of road leading to the Sanibel Causeway was impassable.

A section of the Sanibel Causeway, the only bridge that leads to Sanibel Island, collapsed on Wednesday night. The latest on Hurricane Ian: https://t.co/3yuf7YPdMI pic.twitter.com/FHis16k19y — Breaking Weather by AccuWeather (@breakingweather) September 29, 2022

"The pavement is folded up like an accordion, ripped to ribbons by a powerful storm surge," they wrote. "Nearby, a spiral staircase was deposited in the brush next to a white pickup. The storm flung a boat trailer and other debris, too."

They describe seeing sheets of sand strewn across the pavement and watching around 1:30 a.m. as two cars tried unsuccessfully to access the island. One was full of young men who were trying to reach a friend, they added.

At 4:15 a.m., the journalists confirmed that a section of the causeway had been wiped out by the storm:

"An alarm bleats endlessly at the tollbooth for the Sanibel Causeway. Step just beyond it, and the road soon gives way. Where the bridge rises from the mainland toward the island, one of the first sections of the span has disappeared. Crumbled pavement lies near the water’s edge. The rest of the bridge stretches forward, unreachable."

Here's what that looked like, per video tweeted by Anyssa Bohanan of ABC7 Southwest Florida:

We don’t know how many people are on the island or if there are any. Hoping for more information as the sun comes up pic.twitter.com/Y9tYlMR0D2 — Anyssa Bohanan (@AnyssaBohanan) September 29, 2022

Ian could become a hurricane again before hitting the southern East Coast

Ian is exiting Florida as a tropical storm — but as it moves back over the water, it could regain hurricane status, drawing power from the Atlantic Ocean. Forecasters are warning of potential flooding and other impacts, from Florida to North Carolina.

“Some slight re-intensification is forecast, and Ian could be near hurricane strength when it approaches the coast of South Carolina on Friday,” the National Hurricane Center said early Thursday .

The storm currently has maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, with gusts as high as 70 mph. It’s heading northeast at only 8 mph, a slow pace that heightens the risk of flood-inducing rainfall.

A wide area will be under threat of flooding and high winds. Ian is now projecting tropical storm-force winds up to 415 miles from its center.

The current forecast track sees Ian moving out northeast over the ocean as it passes Jacksonville, before turning more to the northwest and making landfall between Savannah, Ga., and Charleston, S.C.

It's too dangerous to be on the roads in Naples right now, city manager says

Jay Boodheshwar, the city manager of Naples, Fla., — just south of where Hurricane Ian made landfall yesterday — spoke to Morning Edition 's Rachel Martin about what the storm's impact and aftermath look like there.

Listen to their conversation here.

The city is currently under a mandatory curfew since many streets are still flooded and unpassable.

"It is absolutely too dangerous to be on the roads here in Naples," he says.

The City of Naples has issued an emergency citywide curfew to protect and safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of City of Naples residents, visitors, and first responders. The curfew is effective immediately until further notice. pic.twitter.com/C1OIiFkCoN — Naples Police Dept. (@NaplesPolice) September 28, 2022

Boodheshwar says three damage assessment teams tried to go out last night to get a sense of what they would find in the morning, but the team he was with was unable to make it to the south side of the city because of the flooded streets.

Naples started seeing water early yesterday morning as the tide came in and the surge began to grow. Water effectively breached the community from both the gulf side and the bay side, Boodheshwar says, adding there were places where the two bodies of water met.

Preliminary reports show the city experienced up to nine feet of storm surge, according to Boodheshwar. City Hall itself probably experienced about five feet of water from the surface of the road up to the front steps, Boodheshwar says, calling it "significant."

He says at the height of the storm authorities had about 50 pending calls (which they were unable to respond to in the moment) from residents who had managed to get to higher ground but needed help. They rescued about a dozen people who were trapped in their cars by fast-moving waters, he adds.

As the city begins the work of assessing and repairing damage, Boodheshwar says it will definitely need more resources from both the public and private sector, from utility companies to state-assembled strike teams. Is he worried about what those crews will find when they set out this morning?

"We're absolutely concerned," Boodheshwar says. "We're fortunate that most people evacuated, though."

As Florida wakes up, Tropical Storm Ian continues its crawl across the state

Hurricane Ian, downgraded from a Category 4 storm to a tropical storm, is continuing to make its way across Florida, leaving some 2 million households without power already.

What are people along Florida's Gulf Coast waking up to this morning?

NPR's Greg Allen, who is in St. Petersburg, rose early to speak with NPR's Up First . He says while damage assessments have yet to come in, reports and images during the storm showed massive storm surges, particularly in beachfront communities in Naples and Fort Myers.

The hurricane made landfall first on Cayo Costa and later on Punta Gorda — the same two places Hurricane Charley, another Category 4 storm, came ashore in 2004. Crews will be checking damage in areas like Cape Coral and Englewood, which faced hours of storm surge and high winds as Ian slowly moved inland. There has also been wind and surge damage reported up the coast in Sarasota and as far north as St. Petersburg.

Search and rescue teams will be going door-to-door through neighborhoods today to offer help to those who need it, Allen says, and utility officials say they have more than 40,000 workers ready to start restoring power as soon as it's safe to do so. Those efforts will begin today in areas where the winds have dropped and crews can get access (the first step is clearing the roads).

Florida Power and Light, the state's largest utility, is deploying a drone bigger than a private plane to assess the damage from above and has warned that structural damage could take days or weeks to repair.

And more damage is expected as the storm moves slowly throughout central Florida.

It's not predicted to leave the state and pass over the Atlantic Ocean until late this afternoon. Meteorologists and emergency managers say the storm is still very dangerous — the issue at this point isn't so much wind as flooding from heavy rainfall. Allan says there are reports of flooding in the Orlando area already, and that some areas in central and northeastern Florida could see more than two feet.

Preliminary rainfall and wind gust data puts a fine point on Ian's power

Hurricane (now Tropical Storm) Ian is by no means done causing damage. But as the storm crosses the Florida peninsula, we're starting to get a clearer picture of just how hard it hit areas along the coast on Wednesday.

The National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center tweeted on Thursday morning that the storm's landfall is thought to have brought more than 17 inches of rain over West-Central Florida.

The landfall of now Tropical Storm Ian yesterday brought extremely heavy rainfall potentially exceeding 17" over West-Central FL . Follow along with our Ian Storm Summary as we collect rainfall and wind reports over time: https://t.co/mOWUFMwli2 pic.twitter.com/0OxbCh7UBv — NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) September 29, 2022

It's tracking reports of rainfall and wind gusts — here are some of those preliminary numbers :

Total rainfall in inches, between 11 a.m. Monday and 10 p.m. Wednesday

• Lehigh Acres: 14.42
• North Port: 13.88
• Clearwater Beach: 10.69
• Key West: 7.89
• Miami: 6.12
• Fort Myers: 6.11
• Palm Beach International Airport: 4.23

Peak wind gusts in miles per hour, "earlier in the event"

• Cape Coral: 140
• Punta Gorda: 124
• Sarasota: 106
• Fort Myers: 100
• Naples Municipal Airport: 62
• Orlando: 41

Biden Visits Florida After Hurricane Ian Biden and DeSantis Pledge Lasting Support to Rebuild Florida

In a closely watched joint news conference, the political rivals outlined state, federal and private aid for victims of Hurricane Ian. Biden said the two were in “complete lockstep” in dealing with the crisis.

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Zolan Kanno-Youngs

Biden, in Florida, pledges to help residents ‘fully, thoroughly recover’ from the hurricane.

WASHINGTON — President Biden said he was in “complete lock step” with Gov. Ron DeSantis during a visit to southwest Florida that amounted to a moment of détente between political rivals to pledge federal resources for those seeking to rebuild from the devastation wrought by Hurricane Ian.

After surveilling by helicopter the destruction that is expected to total billions of dollars, Mr. Biden and his wife, Jill, joined Mr. DeSantis and his wife, Casey, to speak to residents and emergency workers in Fisherman’s Wharf. The president and Mr. DeSantis, a potential presidential candidate for the Republican Party, then stood side-by-side as they committed to working together to support families who had homes damaged or washed away by the hurricane.

“Today, we have one job and only one job, and that’s to make sure that people in Florida get everything they need to fully, thoroughly recover,” Mr. Biden said. “We have a long road ahead of us,” he added, promising “we’re not going to leave” the state and the recovery efforts.

During his visit, the White House approved Florida’s request to extend federal disaster assistance for debris removal and emergency protective services in the state by an additional 30 days, to a total of 60 days. He also said the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Small Business Administration would continue to help Floridians with temporary housing and financial support.

Speaking before the president, Mr. DeSantis listed evidence of rebuilding underway, noting that a temporary bridge to Pine Island, a barrier island that had lost access to the mainland, had been completed. Locals had clamored for a temporary solution after days of transporting people and supplies by boat.

“You can go over it in a helicopter, and you can see damage, but it does not do it justice until you are actually on the ground,” Mr. DeSantis said. The president and first lady took an hourlong surveying flight over the area before they began touring the Fort Myers area by ground.

Mr. DeSantis also expressed gratitude to the president.

“We are cutting through the red tape, and that’s from local government, state government, all the way up to the president, so we appreciate the team effort,” he said.

After his prepared remarks, Mr. Biden emphasized his close collaboration with Mr. DeSantis.

“We have very different political philosophies, but we’ve worked hand in glove,” Biden said. “In dealing with this crisis, we’ve been in complete lock step.”

Neil Vigdor

DeSantis played it cordial but cool with Biden in a joint appearance.

Gov. Ron DeSantis avoided anything that might be construed as a chummy moment between himself and President Biden on Wednesday as the political adversaries reckoned with the destruction left by Hurricane Ian in Florida.

Mr. DeSantis, one of the Republican Party’s most unrelenting critics of Mr. Biden and a White House aspirant , extended a cordial but restrained reception to the Democratic president as he toured the hard-hit Gulf Coast.

He avoided a moment like when Chris Christie, the governor of New Jersey during Hurricane Sandy and another ambitious Republican, awkwardly embraced President Barack Obama during a 2012 storm damage tour .

Nor was there a reprise of 2009, when Charlie Crist, the Republican governor of Florida at the time, alienated members of his party when he hugged Mr. Obama during a stimulus promotion event .

Mr. Biden, when asked about his rapport with Mr. DeSantis after their appearance together, Mr. Biden acknowledged the adversarial undercurrent, which has included a clash with the White House over its border policies .

“We have very different political philosophies, but we’ve worked hand in glove,” Mr. Biden said. “In dealing with this crisis, we’ve been in complete lock step.”

Mr. DeSantis and his wife, Casey, shook hands with Mr. Biden and the first lady, Jill Biden, as they exited an S.U.V. in Fort Myers, joining them as they met with residents of the area and emergency responders.

And when it came time for Mr. DeSantis to introduce Mr. Biden at a news conference, he stuck with basic pleasantries, backing away from the podium as he thanked the president for the federal government’s response to the hurricane.

“Mr. President, welcome to Florida,” Mr. DeSantis said. “We appreciate working together across various levels of government, and the floor is yours.”

Mr. Biden, who was greeted with some applause, said that he appreciated the hospitality from Mr. DeSantis. At several points, Mr. Biden complimented Mr. DeSantis for the steps he had taken after the storm.

“What the governor’s done is pretty remarkable so far,” Mr. Biden said, drawing a polite smile from Mr. DeSantis, who kept his distance.

The détente was a sharp contrast from last month, when Mr. DeSantis arranged for flights to take migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard , a political stunt aimed at highlighting what the governor says is a failed Biden administration border policy. Mr. Biden called the flights “simply wrong,” “un-American” and “reckless.”

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Eliza Fawcett

The Lee County death toll has risen to 58, including seven people who have yet to be identified, the Lee County sheriff, Carmine Marceno, said during a news conference on Wednesday afternoon at Fort Myers Beach.

Biden took a couple questions at the end of his remarks, emphasizing his collaboration with DeSantis, a Republican. “We have very different political philosophies, but we’ve worked hand in glove,” Biden said. “In dealing with this crisis, we’ve been in complete lockstep.”

Emily Cochrane

Biden also promoted the bipartisan infrastructure plan he signed into law last year, noting that federal funds are already set to go to Florida for highways and bridges as part of that legislation.

“What the governor’s done is pretty remarkable,” Biden tells reporters after finishing his prepared remarks.

Frances Robles

The deaths of seven Cuban migrants — six women and one man — who died when their boat capsized off the Florida Keys during the storm, have been categorized by Monroe County officials as storm-related deaths. Eleven migrants are still missing.

“We have a long road ahead of us,” Biden says, pledging that “we’re not going to leave” the state and the recovery efforts.

Biden is ticking through the ways the federal government can provide assistance, ranging from the Small Business Administration to FEMA to housing support. The recovery will take years, and residents here in southwest Florida are already fearful about losing aid and attention in the coming weeks.

“Today, we have one job and only one job, and that’s to make sure that people in Florida get everything they need to fully, thoroughly recover,” Biden said.

Katie Rogers

“I’m sure it’s much worse from the ground. But you can see a whole hell of a lot of damage from the air,” Biden says. This is a subtle rejoinder to DeSantis emphasizing repeatedly today that more of the destruction can be seen from the ground. These two are on their best behavior, but the tension between them persists.

DeSantis on Wednesday said that a temporary bridge to Pine Island, a barrier island that had lost access to the mainland, had been completed. Locals had clamored for a temporary solution, after days of transporting people and supplies by boat. “There was some talk that they just had to get off the island — that’s not who these people are,” he said. “They’re island people, they’re not leaving their homes, and so we’re happy to be able to have done that.”

DeSantis added that emergency repairs to the Sanibel Causeway would take a little bit longer, saying at the briefing that “we anticipate it being done this month, in October.” Officials have been airlifting support and also bringing aid by boat.

“You can go over it in a helicopter, and you can see damage, but it does not do it justice until you are actually on the ground,” DeSantis says. The president and first lady took an hourlong surveying flight over the area before they began touring the Fort Myers area by ground.

Biden and DeSantis are giving remarks in Fort Myers. DeSantis begins by praising the coordination from the White House “from the very beginning.”

Just a few minutes ago, when the two received a briefing from state and federal officials on storm recovery, the president said the federal government was committed to helping fund storm recovery efforts. “The only thing I can assure you is that the federal government will be here until it’s finished,” he said.

Biden shook hands with DeSantis before surveying the damage of Hurricane Ian.

President Biden and Florida Governor DeSantis pic.twitter.com/igXigXXS3Y — CSPAN (@cspan) October 5, 2022

Biden’s Florida reception is fraught with risk for DeSantis.

A devastating hurricane brings bitter political adversaries together for a moment of détente. Sound familiar?

As President Biden visits southwest Florida, where Hurricane Ian left a path of death and destruction after making landfall a week ago, he met with Gov. Ron DeSantis, one of the Democratic president’s most strident critics in the G.O.P. and a White House aspirant .

After an aerial tour of the damage, Mr. Biden and the first lady were greeted by Mr. DeSantis and his wife, and they walked together through Fisherman’s Wharf in Fort Myers — just as many presidents and governors have done after previous disasters.

But gestures of solidarity in a moment of crisis can carry political risk. Mr. Biden’s visit recalled the 2012 trip by former President Barack Obama to New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy, when Chris Christie, the state’s governor at the time and a rising star in the Republican Party, was photographed conspicuously embracing Mr. Obama .

Mr. Christie, who ran unsuccessfully for president in 2016, was considerably maligned over the awkward embrace. It became fodder for a tabloid newspaper and for Republicans, who said that the image of New Jersey’s governor cozying up to the president undermined the White House prospects of Mitt Romney, Mr. Obama’s Republican opponent in the 2012 election, at a critical stage late in the campaign.

Mr. Christie later insisted that he had never hugged Mr. Obama .

It was not the first time that a Republican governor had faced backlash over such a hug.

In 2009, Charlie Crist, the G.O.P. governor of Florida at the time, drew the ire of his party when he embraced Mr. Obama during a visit to the state to promote a stimulus package. Mr. Crist later became a Democrat, and is opposing Mr. DeSantis in the governor’s race this year.

He referred to the exchange in Time magazine as “The Hug That Killed My Republican Career.”

DeSantis began his briefing with the president and others by thanking Biden and the administration for supporting Florida's recovery efforts.

Biden and Criswell, the FEMA administrator, are seen on television footage listening to Governor DeSantis ahead of their briefing on recovery efforts from Hurricane Ian.

Biden currently appears to be talking with Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott of Florida, both Republicans.

The president will announce that he is following Florida's request to extend federal aid during his trip to the state on Wednesday, in the wake of Hurricane Ian, the White House press secretary said on Twitter .

While in Florida today, @POTUS will announce that he is doubling the amount of time the Federal government will fully cover the state’s cost of clearing debris, distributing food and water, and supporting shelters. https://t.co/ltX2UPHo0D — Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) October 5, 2022

The president and Jill Biden, the first lady, are now walking through Fisherman’s Wharf in Fort Myers with Governor DeSantis and Casey DeSantis, the state’s first lady.

From the pool reporter who was in the motorcade with the president as he traveled from the local airport to receive a storm briefing from officials: “At various points along his route from the airport, onlookers held up cell phones — snapping pictures — and sometimes their middle finger.”

Rebuilding after the storm does not bridge any political divides.

ST. JAMES CITY, FLA. — On the southern tip of Pine Island, where Hurricane Ian tossed sailboats into the mangroves and crumpled the roofs and siding of homes, locals stood outside near piles of debris and pallets of water and food to vent: Where was the federal government?

Locals recalled seeing their own neighbors and former military officials working with the United Cajun Navy and other private relief groups in the immediate aftermath of the storm. They fumed over the federal and state restrictions on visiting the island, which constricted their efforts to haul supplies and carry residents back and forth on boats.

In this conservative part of the state, which voted for former President Donald J. Trump by wide margins, the devastation left by the storm reinforced long-held political positions even as state Republicans faced scrutiny over their past opposition to emergency disaster relief and legislation intended to stem the impact of climate change across the country.

Frustrations and resentment bubbled as people feared that the destruction on wealthier Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach would sap attention and resources from Pine Island, where they were determined to remain and defend their property. Spray-painted threats on propped up pieces of wood and cars warned looters that they would be shot if they dared step on private property.

But while there was disdain and outright anger toward President Biden and federal agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, residents were quick to lavish praise on Gov. Ron DeSantis for his attention and efforts. A few residents lamented that should Mr. DeSantis pursue a 2024 bid for president, it would mean losing their governor.

As Mr. DeSantis, trailed by an entourage of law enforcement and local officials, swept through a relief station set up at Monroe Canal Marina here on Tuesday, residents swarmed to take photos and thank him for his work.

Staci Stevens, the co-owner of the marina, said that she was grateful for the governor’s visit, adding that she had thanked him for his efforts to rebuild a temporary bridge to help reconnect the island to the mainland and let him know about their challenges getting ice there.

Many residents here have scoffed at Biden and what several saw as a lackluster federal response. But they were more effusive in their praise for DeSantis, who could challenge Biden in 2024. People I spoke to largely credited him for touring hard-hit areas and helping accelerate efforts to reconnect barrier islands that are without power and water.

The president and first lady are on an aerial tour of the Fort Myers area right now. On the ground, the scope of what’s damaged or completely missing is pretty staggering: power lines, farm stands, billboards, farm equipment, stop lights, hotel roofs, countless homes. Trees along the road were knocked down or pushed at an angle from Ian’s winds.

This area of Florida is decidedly conservative, and voted overwhelmingly for former President Trump in 2020. In lines for supplies and on boats transporting residents to and from the barrier islands, you can see fluttering Trump flags and memorabilia with the cryptic derogatory taunt “Let’s Go Brandon” against President Biden.

Frances Robles ,  Audra D. S. Burch ,  Richard Fausset and Michael Majchrowicz

Floridians robbed of homes by Ian face one of the toughest housing markets in the nation.

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Days after Hurricane Ian buffeted the state with a trifecta of wind, rain and storm surge, many Floridians are emerging from the wreckage uncertain of their next chapter — and fearing they may become homeless .

The extent of the damage and the number of people who lost their lives or homes is only beginning to come into focus. Much clearer is the storm’s likely broad and lasting impact on the recovery of those least able to afford it.

“I don’t have enough money to replace my car and my house. I got enough money to replace one or the other,” said Llewellyn Davenport, 50. The storm surge swallowed his car, and engulfed the 28-foot-trailer he lived in near Fort Myers.

Now Mr. Davenport, a sanitation worker, must make a tough decision: get another home or another car. “My entire life changed in a matter of hours.”

After the storm, many Floridians, limited by low or fixed incomes, face finding a decent place to live in a state that is mired in an affordable housing crunch. The state’s enduring popularity, inflation and soaring rental costs have made it one of the least affordable places to live in the nation.

Already, an estimated 2.24 million households in Florida with incomes below $50,000 pay more than 30 percent of their income in rent or mortgage — more than a quarter of the total households, according to the University of Florida’s Shimberg Center for Housing Studies.

In counties that were under evacuation orders, less than 20 percent of homes have coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program.

Local officials and housing advocates worry about what the damaged housing stock will mean for people with low wages or fixed incomes. In interviews, some people said staying in water-ravaged homes is their only option.

“Cities will rebuild,” said Edward Murray, a housing expert and associate director of the Metropolitan Center at Florida International University. “But what about poor communities? But what about individuals?”

A beginner’s guide to hurricane season in South Florida

Nearly 1,000 people a day move to Florida. Whether you’re one of these transplants — welcome! — or a long-time Floridian, no one is off the hook when it comes to hurricane preparation.

For that reason, the WLRN team has put togethera beginner’s guide to hurricane season. We’ll start with the basics of how hurricanes form and what to do if you’re ordered to evacuate. This guide is also a good refresher for longtime Floridians, so everyone can stay safe before, during and after a storm.

When is hurricane season?

Hurricane season officially begins on June 1 and ends on Nov. 30, with the season beginning to peak in mid August. However, devastating storms can still occur at any time.

When does a storm turn into a hurricane?

Florida is no stranger to storms, but at what point do we start worrying? In the lead up to a major storm, you might hear a lot of different terms from meteorologists, from tropical cyclone to tropical depression. They all fall under the category of a storm, but each are differentiated by high winds, excessive rain and storm surge.

Hurricanes are considered the most powerful type of a tropical cyclone in the Atlantic, but not all tropical cyclones are hurricanes. Here’s how forecasters rank and define tropical systems:

Tropical depression A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed is 38 mph or less. NOAA says that wind speeds of 39 mph could lead to scattered debris, fallen power lines and possible damage to roof shingles and siding.

Tropical storm A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed is between 39 mph and 73 mph. Wind speeds of roughly 58 mph could damage roofs, down trees and power lines and create widespread power outages.

Hurricane A tropical cyclone in which the maximum 1-minute sustained surface wind is 74 mph or greater.

Hurricanes are categorized by the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale , a 1 to 5 categorization based on the wind speeds.

Any storms that reach tropical storm intensity or higher are also referred to as “named storms.” These storms will be assigned a name that is determined alphabetically in order of appearance (the first named storm of the season will begin with A, the second with B and so on). Once letters run out, as they did during the 2020 season when 30 named storms occurred, the hurricane center switches to the Greek alphabet.

Any hurricane Category 3 and above is also called a major hurricane .

READ MORE: Hurricanes aren’t just a coastal problem. How to gauge your risk level

What dangers do these storms pose?

Hurricanes and tropical storms are not just coastal problems. They can pose a host of dangers that can affect residents who live miles inland. Understanding your level of risk is critical to your safety and essential to hurricane preparation. This year for the first time, the National Hurricane Center will include watches and warnings for inland risks in its forecast cone.

High winds Even slower tropical storm force winds can be dangerous to those caught in them. High winds can damage buildings and mobile homes, down power lines, turn items left unsecured into dangerous projectiles.

Heavy rainfall and flooding Tropical systems can pack torrential and sustained rainfall which may result in dangerous floods, even to those who live inland. Floods may persist for days after a storm. It's also important to note that rainfall is not directly related to hurricane intensity and can be determined by how slowly a storm moves. Therefore, a Category 2 storm may produce more rainfall than a Category 5 storm.

Storm surge Storm surge is the mass of water pushed ashore by powerful hurricanes that can be exacerbated by high tides and rising sea levels. Storm surge can reach highs over 20 feet and span hundreds of miles of coastline. NOAA says flooding, often from storm surge, does the most damage and causes the most fatalities. The powerful force of a surge can damage buildings and roadways and even travel several miles inland.

Tornadoes Hurricanes and tropical storms can cause tornadoes that are a significant threat.

Watches and warnings

The bottom line: hurricanes are dangerous weather systems with hazards that can be difficult to predict. While forecasters have dramatically improved predictions for tracks, quickly intensifying systems that give little time to prepare remain difficult to predict.

Pay attention in particular to watches and warnings — which indicate where hazards are likely to occur.

The best way to prepare is to stay informed. When a storm forms, NOAA issues advisories every six hours, 5 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m., and 11 pm. As the storm nears the coast and the danger to residents increases, those advisories increase.

Tropical storm watch Issued when sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph or 63 to 118 km/hr are possible within the specified area within 48 hours.

Tropical storm warning Issued when sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph or 63 to 118 km/hr are expected somewhere within the specified area within 36 hours.

Hurricane watch Issued when sustained winds of 74 mph or higher are possible within the specified area. Once winds reach tropical storm force, it's too late to prepare for a hurricane. That's why hurricane watches are issued 48 hours in advance.

Hurricane warning Issued when sustained winds of 74 mph or higher are expected somewhere within the specified area. A warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds. High water or waves can keep a warning in effect, even though winds may be less than hurricane force.

Storm surge watch The possibility of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline to a specified area, generally within 48 hours. The watch may be issued earlier to ensure enough time for people to evacuate or prepare.

Storm surge warning The danger of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline within the specified area, generally within 36 hours. The warning may also be issued for locations not expected to receive life-threatening inundation.

OK, I know what a storm is. How do I prepare for one?

• Make a plan — seriously, don’t skip this — that accounts for everyone in your household, including children, elderly and pets .
• Ensure that people with special medical needs are registered with the county for special assistance.
• Identify your evacuation and flood zone.
• Have the contact information of everyone in a household printed out. The same goes for local emergency organizations and shelters.
• Make sure to take photos of your property — house, apartment or condo — for insurance purposes.
• Determine whether you need to board up or reinforce your property.
• Obtain a copy of important documents (i.e. insurance documents, birth certificates, bank account numbers, current photos of family members etc.)
• Build a hurricane emergency kit . If you already have one, make sure it’s updated and replace expired items. 

Now that you’ve made a plan —it’s time to build your hurricane kit

What should go in your kit Each individual should have at least a week's supply of water, perishable food, and medications. Include important documents like ID, passports, insurance information, and social security cards. Keep items in ziploc bags to prevent water damage.

Withdraw cash, as power outages can sometimes last weeks after a storm has passed. Flashlights and batteries should also be included. A battery powered radio can ensure emergency updates are received.

Find a more detailed, comprehensive checklist of items here .

On gas and groceries  Always keep your car’s gas tank more than half-full during hurricane season. As a storm approaches gas station lines could be long and supplies may be short. Lines could also form at grocery and hardware stores, so buy supplies early once a storm is announced.

Hurricane shelters Know where your nearest hurricane shelter is located. It is important to know beforehand that some shelters have special accommodations for pets or certain medical needs and some do not. Know beforehand which shelter is best suited for you.

If you need help evacuating because you or someone you care for is elderly or disabled, contact your county now for guidance. You cannot arrange for help once evacuation orders have been issued.

Stay informed Even after a storm passes, conditions can still be dangerous. Flooding, downed power lines, and unsafe roadways can all be hazards well after a storm passes. Staying informed is the best way to mitigate the danger, know which areas are safe and what businesses are open.

Below is a county-by-county guide of shelters, evacuation information and resources:

Broward Broward County has two types of evacuation plans . The type of evacuation ordered will be based upon the severity of the storm . 

Shelter information here .

Sign up for emergency alerts here .

Monroe Monroe County’s comprehensive emergency plan calls for a “Phased Evacuation.” This evacuation plan is intended to avoid unnecessary evacuation if some zones are expected to be affected and others are not.

• None for Category 3,4,5 storms
• For Category 1 and 2 storms here .
• Address for FIU shelter located in Homestead that Monroe residents are told to evacuate to: 11290 SW 13th Street, University Park, RC 101, Miami, FL 33199
• Address for Miami-Dade County shelter that Monroe residents are told to evacuate to: 10901 SW 24th Street; Miami, FL

Evacuation info: Once an evacuation is announced, the list of open centers will become available on www.miamidade.gov or by calling 311. Emergency bus pickup sites will be activated to provide transportation to and from the evacuation centers. Find more evacuation info here .

Palm Beach Evacuation info here .  

There are 15 hurricane evacuation risk shelters for the general population in Palm Beach County. In addition, there are two special needs shelters, and one pet friendly shelter.

These shelters are a refuge of last resort; a place to go if you can't stay at home or with a relative,friend, co-worker or nearby hotel.

While shelters are set up in schools, the timing of their opening and locations will be chosen based on the circumstances of the storm. Not all shelters are opened for every storm.

You can find your evacuation zone or flood zone here .

What do I do in case of an evacuation?

Palm Beach County's hurricane guide has some recommendations of what to keep in mind if you have to evacuate, instead of sheltering in place.

Before you leave:

• Pack breakables and put them on the floor.
• Remove mirrors and wrap them in blankets; put them in the bathtub or shower.
• Shut off utilities and disconnect electricity.
• Shut off propane tanks and leave them outside after anchoring them securely.
• Anchor mobile/manufactured home with over-the-top or frame ties.

If you're going to a shelter, bring:

• 1 gallon of water per person          
• Don't forget water for your pets 
• Prescription and emergency medications; you must be able to take all medications by yourself. Special-diet foods (e.g., snacks and juices for those with dietary restrictions or allergies)
• Basic snacks
• Bedding materials (e.g., pillows, blankets, sleeping bags, cots, air mattresses, etc.)
• Comfortable clothing (at least two changes)
• Collapsible/folding beach chair or camp chair
• Baby food, formula, bottles, diapers, blankets, clothes
• Flashlight, extra batteries 
• Cellphone, with a battery-operated charger
• Radio with extra batteries and headphones
• Important documents (identification, medical records, insurance information, deeds or leases, birth certificates and utility bills showing your home address) 
• Photocopies of valuable documents
• Eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures 
• Toiletries and personal hygiene items 
• Quiet games, books, playing cards, favorite toys or other items for entertainment.
• Special items for family members who are elderly or disabled. 
• Chargers/cables for any electronic devices you bring with you — electrical outlets are limited. 
• Facial coverings, gloves, and hand sanitizer

Historic Black communities often overlooked before and after disaster strikes

Weather watchers everywhere were astounded to see Hurricane Beryl ramp up in just two days from tropical storm strength to a Category 5 behemoth packing wind speeds of 165 mph.

Its July 1 emergence as a Category 4 storm and growth the next day to Cat 5 strength were the earliest in recorded history that a storm had reached either of those benchmarks, and Beryl carved a path of destruction west across the Caribbean islands then north and east into Texas and as far Vermont.

It seems as safe a bet as can be made that Beryl will not be the last major storm of 2024. Forecasters are predicting as many as 25 named storms and Nov. 1 seems a very long way away.

Ian one year later: How long will it take for Fort Myers Beach, SW Forida to fully recover?

That storm damage will occur in Florida this year is already a given; South Florida was swamped in mid-June by flash flooding caused by torrential rains nobody even figured into the hurricane season equation.

There is another aspect of hurricane season that, unfortunately, has also become something of a given, the disparate treatment of disadvantaged populations and communities of color when it comes to receiving aid after the storm and assistance in recovery.

Hurricane Ian and Harlem Heights

Richard Ryles had seen similar scenarios play out so many times before that when it became certain Hurricane Ian was going to cut a wide path of destruction through Lee and Collier counties in September, 2022 there was no question in his mind where disaster assistance would initially be deployed. 

“Stevie Wonder wearing Ray Charles’ glasses could see what the reaction from the state was going to be,” he said.  

And he was right. Following the storm that devastated Southwest Florida, aid stations were set up in the wealthy white coastal enclaves of Sanibel, Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach and Naples and the poor, mostly Black, residents of communities like Dunbar and Harlem Heights were left to figure out a way to get to those areas to find relief. 

“We knew they would be the last helped," Ryles said, "Based on the history of the treatment of African Americans in this state and across the country.”

Harlem Heights, a historically Black community in Fort Myers, had grown up when segregation was the way of the world. It is built in a low lying area susceptible to flooding. After Ian, Ryles said, it seemed the whole community was underwater.

Ryles, a West Palm Beach attorney, mobilized a group of fraternity brothers, who in turn reached out to others, including representatives from the Thomas Leroy Jefferson Medical Society. They gathered up food, necessities like feminine products and sanitary wipes and the medical supplies needed to assist people needing immediate treatment for ailments like diabetes and high blood pressure and set up shop at a Harlem Heights Community Center.

In a two-week span they would feed some 350 people and provide medicine and necessities to 600 more, but Ryles said when they arrived they were overwhelmed by what they saw.

"We didn't realize the extent of the problem," he said.

He said the desperation of the situation really hit home as he and others were setting up a grill to cook for residents of the community when an 11-year-old boy pulled up on a bicycle and told them that he was hungry and he and his grandmother hadn't eaten in two days.

"That kind of story was recounted multiple times," he said.

Hurricane Michael and North Port St. Joe

Tales of the misery inflicted by tropical storms are hardly uncommon in Florida, which has been hit by four major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher in just the last 10 years.

One of the saddest sagas is that of North Port St. Joe , where, according to Dannie Bolden, there are still homes bearing the scars of a savage beating from 2018's Hurricane Michael . Some of those residences have since begun literally sinking into the ground.

"This community, as its name implies, lies north of the small Gulf Coast town of Port St. Joe and is comprised mostly of African Americans. It grew up in the late 1800s and early 1900s on the other side of a series of railroad tracks separating it from the "white" side of town. Many of the homes in North Port St. Joe were built before the 1960s in the shadow of the St. Joe Paper Company mill that opened in 1934 and a nearby chemical plant, Bolden said.

'How far we've come': Looking back on Hurricane Michael 5 years after it hit Bay County

The St. Joe Paper Company had a landfill of sorts in North Port St. Joe where its workers deposited wood chips and other potentially hazardous factory debris in nearby woods and wetlands. The dumping grounds were later leveled off, parceled out and sold in the disadvantaged community for home construction.

North Port St. Joe is situated on the highest point in Port St. Joe, so its residents didn't suffer the flooding from Hurricane Michael that its neighbors to the south had, but Bolden said there was no shortage of downed trees that damaged homes and left many without power and water.

Bolden said one woman stayed in her badly damaged home because she had nowhere else to go and the mold there got so bad he had to send the local health department to the residence to talk her into leaving.

"They got her into a hotel," he said. "But shortly after she died."

Bolden lives in Columbus, Ga., but he still focuses much of his energy and attention on being active on behalf of his hometown of North Port St. Joe.

At the time he was interviewed for this article Bolden was in the community working with a professor from the Pensacola-based University of West Florida. The men have collaborated to study ways to come up with transformational scenarios to address systemic racism within the healthcare system in North Port St. Joe.

In the immediate aftermath of Michael, Boldin learned that community residents were required to board buses to more affluent areas in order to find distribution centers where they could get food and other necessities. The people of North Port St. Joe had become so acclimated to being slighted, he said, they didn’t even complain. 

Boldin, though, took it upon himself to set up a location to provide aid in North Port St. Joe. FEMA would ultimately recognize it as one of the best run in the entire Panhandle.

"It was unbelievable the way he embedded himself in that community in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael and the way that community came together under his direction," said FEMA official TJ Dargan. "It was just phenomenal."

Following Hurricane Michael a whole new element of historical racism emerged for the people of North Port St. Joe. Homes in the area had been "redlined" by insurance companies, Bolden said.

Redlining is a term used to define a historically racist business practice in which red lined maps were used to identify areas, typically in neighborhoods occupied by African Americans, where property values were likely to fall and therefore deemed too risky to insure.

"In North Port St. Joe many of these homes had been there a long time and after the storm required quite a bit of repair. But the insurance, the way the insurance was rated, in this low-wealth community with high levels of poverty in an area that had been redlined, people can't afford the cost of insurance," Bolden said.

Now, six years after Hurricane Michael, homes built over the abandoned landfill have begun sinking. Bolden believes that Hurricane Michael raised the water table.

"I think Michael, with the storm surge, had a significant impact on those homes," he said.

Legal action taken over the years has forced the St. Joe Paper Company — now known as the St. Joe Company — which closed its mill in 1999, to take some responsibility for the environmental damage it has inflicted over the years on North Port St. Joe. The company, now among the largest landowners in Florida, still hasn't acknowledged any role it might have had in creating the conditions existing now, Bolden said.

Likewise, he said the Port St. Joe City Commission has "mostly ignored the community."

“Part of it is it’s not a priority, the people are not going to the city and complaining, they’re not complaining and not getting the help," he said. "To see it now, the rebuild on the south side of town and the north side are like being in two different worlds. If you ever want to know about a city, look at its budget and see where the dollars are going."  

There's never been any research to study whether the St. Joe Paper Company Mill, adjoining chemical plant and abandoned landfill have had long-term health effects on the North Port St. Joe community. Bolden said he has tried to get the area designated a Brownfield, which would bring down federal dollars for an accounting and clean up.

Local elected officials have not been willing partners in that effort.

“The city has been dragging its feet. It’s like they don’t want the information known," he said. "We had a group, the International City/County Management Association, come in from New Jersey to look at the situation and explain the brownfield designation to the city commission. They told the gentlemen from New Jersey 'If I lived in North Port St. Joe I wouldn’t want my community designated a brownfield.' " 

Boldin sees the city hiding behind lame excuses to keep from doing the right thing. 

“The system allows people who have animus or a lack of sympathy for communities like North Port St. Joe to hide behind it," he said. "Their concern is they haven’t done what they were supposed to do and don’t want to be held accountable."  

Port St. Joe City Manager Jim Anderson did not return phone calls seeking comment for this article.

Grassroots efforts to right the many wrongs

North Point St. Joe is hardly an exception, not just in Florida but across the United States. Equality activists say accountability has been hard to come by when it comes to those in power owning up to the sins of the past where communities of color are concerned.

And the continuing selective assistance seen following storms of today could have even more far-reaching effects in a future where climate change threatens to make everyday life increasingly unpleasant.

If there is good news out there it is that steps are being taken to build awareness and to assist communities of color in building resilience to coming storms and climate change.

Robert Bullard is widely viewed as the father of environmental justice, a philosophy that recognizes that historic injustices often are brought to light in the aftermath of natural disasters and that preparation for future disasters must go hand in hand with fixing the abuses − like redlining in North Port St. Joe − of the past.

"Racial disparities exist in disaster response, clean up, rebuilding, reconstruction and recovery," Bullard wrote in a novel he titled "Race, Place, and Environmental Justice After Hurricane Katrina."

"Race plays out on natural disaster survivors' ability to rebuild, replace infrastructure, obtain loans and locate temporary and permanent housing," Bullard observed. "People of color spend more time in temporary housing and are more vulnerable to permanent displacement."

It may well have been Hurricane Katrina and its impact on the city of New Orleans that finally opened the eyes of the world to the disparate treatment afforded to minorities following a major natural disaster.

The iconic Superdome in downtown New Orleans, was opened as a "refuge of last resort" for those unable to escape the oncoming Katrina. It was estimated that 14,000 people entered the building the night before the storm, but, USA Today reported in an article done 10 years later that the number swelled to 30,000 as levies failed and areas of the city flooded.

The world watched as the arena and its occupants suffered through five days of hell in nightmarish conditions. A portion of the Superdome roof blew off, and the building's main generator died early on, leaving the structure reliant on a back up generator that couldn't power the air conditioning system or keep the refrigeration on to prevent "massive amounts of food from spoiling."

A promise from Mayor Ray Nagin to furnish FEMA supplies was never fulfilled, USA Today reported, and the city's police department pulled its contingent from the Dome the day after Katrina hit, based on the ultimately false premise that flood waters were going to continue to rise.

Bathrooms backed up and the stench became unbearable, the small contingent of National Guard troops became targets as people became more frustrated and desperate, according to USA Today's reporting. Three people would die, at least two, including a young girl, were sexually assaulted and many people lost to theft what little household belongings they had managed to salvage from their now uninhabitable homes.

More than 1,800 would lose their lives to Hurricane Katrina, and later assessments found injustices that included equal access to health care and healthy food choices. Many who survived the storm itself were forced to wade through waters polluted by the residue of industrial plants close to the neighborhoods in which they lived.

"In communities of color and poor communities, there tend to be more warehouses or plants that store hazardous materials," said Bruce McClue, a technical training manager for the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice. "Many also lie along railroad tracks utilized by trains carrying hazardous materials."

When interviewed for this article McClue was in the company of Pensacola-based environmental justice advocate Calvin Avant. The two were traveling through Florida providing emergency response preparedness training.

"There is a problem," McClue said. "Most people don't have the money to pay clean up crews to come in, and after a disaster there's a lot of work, a lot of the initial work, that they have to do themselves."

A wide array of potential hazards exist within a typical household, he said. In many cases residents will be called upon to clean the mud and muck out of a damaged home, prevent mold from becoming a health concern and be alert to the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning.

Many who seek the training provided don't have the funds to pay for personal protective equipment, but McClue said the training insures that those seeking it learn how to decontaminate themselves following exposure to potentially harmful substances and basics like safe ways to clean and store work boots.

McClue said the training being provided extends to making people aware of potential animal threats poised by everything from poisonous snakes carried in on flood waters or fire ants. Even plant hazards like poison ivy are covered.

The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice is working primarily with minority groups and through faith-based groups like Avant's Unity In the Family Ministry.

"We're moving around, more people are being made aware of the hazards that can exist," McClue said. "We're making inroads, people are getting educated and people realize what can truly happen to them. There's still a lot of work to do."

American Red Cross and NAACP team up to assess continuing needs

Cynthia Slater grew up and still resides in an area of Daytona Beach known as Midtown . It is a historically segregated Black community she calls "almost like New Orleans."

"We sit in a low zone. The whole community is a flood zone," she said. "This is where we were pushed."

Slater's own home has flooded four times over the last 20 years, but those floods are becoming more frequent, she said.

"It's getting worse. I never remember it being like this, houses across the entire community are being flooded, and there's not a lot of money being spent to improve the infrastructure at all."

Following Hurricane Ian, the American Red Cross, realizing the need to help people who had been passed over for emergency assistance, reached out to the NAACP in hopes of developing a pilot program to better assess needs.

Slater, as the president of the Volusia County Branch of the NAACP, was asked to head up the program in heavily populated Orange and Volusia counties.

"They asked us to partner with them and identify families and homes still in need of services," Slater said. "I commend them for reaching out to say 'we know we've missed some people' mostly in the Black and brown communities who have been disenfranchised and need some help."

Interviewed in May, Slater summed up the magnitude of the endeavor upon which she and her team had embarked. By the end of April the NAACP had identified 2,714 homesteads for which they saw the need to refer requests for services to agencies that could provide assistance.

"We still have not even touched all of the people in those counties," she said.

The data has been broken down to identify the most pressing needs such as home and property repairs, she said.

Some are still in need of assistance affording food, while others need rental assistance or housing placement. There are some who need help to pay utility bills, recover lost wages, and others who might require medical and/or mental health services, or assistance finding employment or help replacing a vehicle lost in the storm.

Another segment of the program is turning over the data to government agencies to obtain assistance for residents for such things as flood mitigation and hurricane preparedness.

"We can have all of this data, but if the infrastructure is not there it's just a Band-aid on a wound. We have to have a conversation with city, county and state government. You can go through a storm and lose a house, do everything you have to to rebuild it, but the storm's going to come again," she said. "How do you stop flooding? How do you as a county address issues related to these bigger problems?"

'We started fighting water' Flood-prone Rubonia community deals with surge concerns.

Officials have tried to alleviate flooding issues in the Rubonia community for decades, but it was those very improvements that allowed floodwaters to slither into the community during Hurricane Idalia.

Mary Brown, 84, has lived in and out of the Rubonia all of her life, but had never seen floodwaters inside of her home until Idalia.

She was among many residents of the flood-prone Rubonia community in Manatee County who woke up during the early hours of the morning on Aug. 30, 2023 to find rising floodwaters infiltrating homes throughout the neighborhood. 

The hurricane made landfall about 220 miles north on Keaton Beach, but caused heavy storm surge along much of Florida's western coast as it traveled up the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

“We started fighting water,” Brown said. “When it got to the point that I just couldn’t see myself getting out of there I called 9-1-1. The fire department came and they could not drive up my street. So two tall firemen came and walked me out two blocks, and then they walked my brother out. That was Idalia. That’s an experience I do not want to have again.”

Rubonia, a historically Black community, has always had issues with flooding. Manatee County has worked to address those woes for years, and recently installed a new drainage system to help stop stormwater from accumulating in the community.

From the archive: Hurricane Idalia exposes storm surge concerns in Manatee County, residents fear for homes

But it was not the rain that flooded Rubonia this time. The community is located on the eastern Terra Ceia Bay — which feeds straight into Tampa Bay — and is also nestled along the northern shore of McMullen Creek. When Idalia passed nearby it caused a heavy storm surge, and the water rose straight up through the new drainage system and into the neighborhood.

“The county put a whole bunch of money into a stormwater system out there for them, which works beautifully,” Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge said. “Falling water gone, not a problem anymore.” 

“However, the same stormwater system that the county put in to ensure rainwater flows out easily has also created a problem,” he said. “That’s that rising saltwater flows the opposite direction equally as easily. So they have flooding that is originating at their stormwater outlets because they are becoming inlets, if you will.”

Van Ostenbridge, who represents the community, said the county plans to install flaps on the outlets to prevent sea water from flowing through them into the community during a storm. He said the county could potentially consider installation of a levee to protect the community, but that the option comes with a slew of issues such as a high cost, need for funding partners, and concerns over the potential for litigation should it fail.

Another resident, Louis Goff, said he does not think there is much that can be done. He serves as chairman of the Rubonia Community Association.

“The county has really tried to help out with the situation, but there is really not much you can do about it at this point because the water is there,” Goff said. “There is just nothing you can do. We are real low and the water is going to rise. All we can do is just be hopeful.”

“There were maybe 35 or 40 homes affected,” Goff said. “The water was only there a day, it happened real fast. But people are still trying to deal with insurance companies, and some didn’t have insurance.”

Brown said she is among the uninsured. A lien was placed on her home after her mother died and she learned that the hurricane insurance was canceled during the process only after she finished repaying the debt only a month before Idalia. 

“I am still trying to recover, I have not gotten the doors on my house,” Brown said. “We’ve been waiting for help. People have called from different areas, but I don’t have the money to pay them.”

“So that is what I am in now,” she said. “I am trying to get the house in shape to where I can get it inspected again so that I can get insurance. I will get flood insurance before I get anything else.”

Joe Biden drops out: Details on his five visits to Naples, Fort Myers since 2008

Since 2008 Joe Biden has visited Southwest Florida five times − once as the President of the United States and four times when he was the vice-president.

Biden came to Naples and Fort Myers for a variety of reasons, including one time for some rest and relaxation on an island off the SWFL coastline.

On Sunday Biden announced he was dropping out of the 2024 presidential race against Donald Trump . He will finish his term. It remains unknown who will take his place at the top of the Democratic ticket.

Here is a review of Biden's trips to this region in the last 16 years:

October 5, 2022: Hurricane Ian damage assessment

Biden was on the ground on Fort Myers Beach a week after Southwest Florida was clobbered by Hurricane Ian. Fort Myers Beach was one of the hardest hit areas. After arriving at Southwest Florida International Airport, Biden was taken to the beach by helicopter where he got a first-hand look at the devastation.

“Today, we have one job and only one job, and that's to make sure that people in Florida get everything that they need to fully thoroughly recover,” Biden said when he spoke.

January 2014: Vacation time on Keewaydin Island at the 'Biden Bungalow'

In a story published on news-press.com on Jan. 3, 2014 , Vice President Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, spent a mini-vacation at Keewaydin, an 8-mile long barrier island between Naples and Marco Island.

The Bidens stayed at the beachfront home of Biden’s brother.

James Biden Sr. and his wife bought a 5-acre Keewaydin lot and house for $2.7 million on Dec. 23, 2013.

It was pointed out in the story the Bidens’ trip was unique because it brought temporary flight restrictions for three nautical miles surrounding Keewaydin Island. The Federal Aviation Administration issued three temporary flight restrictions for “VIP Movement” in the Fort Myers/Naples area.

The story also included a line about how Naples officials said their historically Republican city and county would be supportive of the Democratic Bidens.

A story on naplesnews.com published on June 27, 2018 , reported the Keewaydin Island vacation home of Biden’s brother, known as the “Biden Bungalow,” sold quietly for $1.35 million in February to the owners of a Florida-based architecture and design firm.

Collier property records showed the buyer of the 4,000 square-foot home as a limited liability company titled, SC-Keewaydin, registered to  John Cooney with Randall Stofft  as an authorized agent.

September 2012: Campaign rally for Barrack Obama in Fort Myers

Biden came to Fort Myers on Sept 29. 2012 as vice-president, campaigning for President Barrack Obama. He led a rally that day at the Wa-Ke Hatchee Park Recreation Center on Bass Road in Fort Myers.

More than 2,000 people crowded into a community center to see Biden talk about Medicare, the federal deficit and tax cuts for the wealthy.

That campaign stop was part of two-day swing through Florida for Biden.

2008 and 2010: A pair of private fundraising events in Naples

The Naples Daily News reported on Jan. 16, 2010 Biden would visit South Florida that weekend, including making a stop in Naples on Sunday for a private fundraiser.

The visit by Biden and his wife, Jill Biden was hosted by Naples Bay Resort developer Jack Antaramian and his wife, Mona, at their home on Gordon Drive .

The event required a minimum donation of $1,000 to attend, and guests could contribute up to $10,000, a White House spokesperson said.

The also couple played host to a fundraiser in October 2008, just weeks before the presidential election. Biden also appeared at that event.

Here's what to know about Florida insurance a year out from major lawsuit reform

A new state report shows that for the first time in nearly a decade, Florida property insurers have collected more in premiums than they spent on claims — but whether that translates into savings for policyholders remains another question.

The July 1 report , based on the first quarter of 2024, comes in addition to the news this year that Florida insurers turned their first overall profit in seven years last year because of market investment gains. Those two pieces of good news have industry-watchers and politicians saying legislation passed in 2022 and 2023 reforming state tort laws are having the desired effect.

The industry is healing from rampant fraudulent claims and frivolous lawsuits, they say. The goal of the changes to the rules governing lawsuits in Florida was to limit and reduce insurance-related litigation, with the objective of ultimately reducing costs and, presumably, passing savings on to policyholders.

“We acknowledged at the outset it would take 18 months to 24 months for us to recognize and realize some reductions in rates and benefits as a result of these reforms we made,” said Republican state Sen. Jim Boyd of Palmetto, whose 2022 legislation increased the threshold for suing an insurer. “We are absolutely starting to see it, and that’s a very positive and encouraging sign.”

Others, however, point to statistics that show Floridians are still paying the highest average premiums in the country. That’s not going to change, they say, and the tort reforms have left consumers with few avenues to hold insurers accountable for not paying on policies.

“We gave quite a bit to the industry and asked for nothing in return,” said Mel Montagne, vice president of the Insurance Office of America agency in Marathon.

Hurricanes Matthew and Irma part of a bigger 'perfect storm' in Florida

State reports show insurance companies in Florida were showing healthy net income and underwriting gains in the storm-free years between 2012 and 2015. But then Hurricane Matthew hit in 2015, and was followed by Hurricane Irma in 2017.

The storms are only part of the problem, says Tim Cerio, president and CEO of Citizens Property Insurance Corp, the state-backed nonprofit charged with taking the customers no other companies want. Citizens now insures more Florida property than any other company.

“I think there was a perfect storm — no pun intended,” Cerio said, describing a domino effect of storms spurring fraudulent legal claims, which in turn spook the markets that insurance companies pay to share the risk of what they are insuring.

Seven property insurers went bankrupt in 2021 and 2022 and others scaled back their Sunshine State operations. The industry was deemed on life support in 2022, when Gov. Ron DeSantis called a special legislative session to address the issue. The governor noted that Florida accounted for 79% of the country’s homeowners’ insurance lawsuits from just 9% of the country’s homeowners’ insurance claims.

By March 2023, a longtime state tradition that allowed the prevailing side to collect attorneys’ fees was largely ended along with allowing a third-party, such as a roofing contractor, to collect the insurance settlement without the involvement of the owner.

Boyd says accountability measures for insurers were baked into reforms, like prohibiting the cancellation of policies on unrepaired properties. But Montagne said he doesn’t think the new laws are any sort of a win for consumers.

The Legislature stated, “we’re going to leave it up to you all to reduce rates,” Montagne said. “Insurance companies are for-profit entities, so I don’t anticipate rate reductions.”

Florida insurance customers still in sticker shock over premium spike hikes

Jared Laub of Boca Raton said he wishes he could go back to 2023 when he didn’t even notice his insurance bill. He doesn’t recall how much he was paying for insurance when his insurer , the United Property & Casualty Insurance Co., ended its Florida operations last year.

After his policy was canceled, Laub estimates that the first policy he was offered, with an $11,000 premium from Slide Insurance Co., was probably double what he was paying before. And now he’s waiting to see how much renewing the current policy he has with Citizens will cost.

“I have never had to deal with this stuff before,” Laub said, explaining that United Property & Casualty had insured him from 2011 to 2023 without any problems.

Citizens has announced its intention to increase rates for its customers, such as Laub, by an average of 14% in 2025. That increase, subject to approval from the state Office of Insurance Regulation, is part of the state-created, nonprofit’s effort to convince customers to sign up with for-profit insurers, company officials told its Board of Governors this week. A host of new insurance companies have opened up for business in the state, presenting consumers with new choices.

Outside Citizens’ rate increases, state insurance regulators are reporting that for-profit companies’ premium rate filings are coming in with an average increase of less than 2%, said Mark Friedlander, spokesperson for the industry-funded Insurance Information Institute, based in St. Johns County.

Nine companies have filed for rate decreases, state officials say. Four of those are among the state’s 20 largest insurers. That means Florida’s insured are seeing their rates increase at the slowest rate in the country, Friedlander said. Ten others have filed for to keep premiums level for the next year, according to the state Office of Insurance Regulation.

“That’s an incredible result,” Friedlander said.

Still, the average insurance premium in Florida remains higher than the national average.

Insurify, a national insurance comparison shopping website, projects that Floridians will be paying an average of $11,759 for their insurance premium in 2024, almost five times the national average of $2,522. Another consumer services company, Bankrate, puts the average Florida insurance premium at $5,533 for a $300,000 home compared to the $2,230 national average for a home valued at the same level.

The higher price is not surprising, given Florida’s geography, Boyd said. Adding to the drama, hurricane forecasters are predicting one of the busiest hurricane seasons because of high ocean temperatures and other factors.

“We are a peninsula in the middle of a lot of water, so there are those challenges just in straight up insurance terms, irrespective of any other challenges that we may have,” said the state senator.

Legal costs for insurance companies dropping after spike in lawsuits in early 2023

The reforms put Florida more in line with litigation rules in other states, Friedlander said, and insurance companies are already spending less on defending Florida lawsuits, even if the tort reform didn’t go into effect until March 2023. There was a spike in suits that month, as cases were filed to beat the legislation that went into effect upon its passage.

“There was $730.9 million spent to defend lawsuits last year compared to $1.6 billion the year prior,” Friedlander said.

The state Office of Insurance Regulation’s July 1 Property Insurance Stability Report shows the number of filings for intent to initiate litigation has not been a straight decrease since the tort reform passed and the rolling, 12-month average has remained largely flat.

Friedlander attributed that to averaging out the spike that hit before tort reform took effect.

Joe Ligman, a lawyer with offices in Miami, Fort Myers and West Palm Beach, specializes in insurance claims. He says his insurance cases have dropped by 75% since the tort reform was passed,

“It’s pretty sad because really the public was sold that this would be a way to reduce your premiums,” Ligman said. “And they are still increasing the premiums.”

Republican state Rep. Mike Caruso, who represents a Palm Beach County district, said that he’s glad to see reports that litigation has dropped, but the co-sponsor of some of the passed reform legislation also thinks there’s more the Legislature could tackle to lower the cost of premiums.

He said that insurance companies shouldn’t be on the hook, for example, for the full cost of a new roof if the one that was insured and then damaged was 10 years old.  

“There’s a lot of work to be done, and I look forward to addressing that issue in 2025,” he said.

​​ Anne Geggis is the insurance reporter at The Palm Beach Post , part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. Y ou can reach her at [email protected]. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today .

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Here's what to know about Florida insurance a year out from major lawsuit reform

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These kits were provided by an internationally recognized disaster relief nonprofit Global Empowerment Mission.

Ciara Cancino is the Director of Development at Farm Share, “We still remember Fort Myers about two years ago. I mean, even just driving through the community, we still see the recovery happening here.”

“I think it’s a good thing. Hopefully, we don’t have to deal with the hurricanes,” said a North Fort Myers resident.