The impact of Hurricane Ian's blow on Florida's coastline fell on Fort Myers Beach and the adjacent barrier islands in Lee County. The hurricane, which was a Category 4 when it made landfall, tore through the town's core with 150 mph winds and a massive storm surge.
A famous destination for visitors and spring breakers, Fort Myers has a population of over 92,000. Due to its location on the narrow Estero Island and proximity to the small coastal town of Fort Myers Beach, which is home to numerous beachside bars, hotels, and resorts, the area was particularly exposed to Ian's attacks. An estimated 6,000 people live in the town.
Some of the first places hit by the storm were the cities and towns in that region. Still experiencing torrential rainfall and still under Ian's control are other regions of the state. The storm is expected to be particularly destructive and expensive, according to local officials and President Joe Biden.
In the marina, boats are stacked on top of each other, bits of the floating harbor have been driven inland and everything is covered in mud and debris.
"I've never seen nothing like this in all my years in Florida. I've been here since 1982 and I'm lost for words right now," Pastor James Macon from the city's River Church said. "This is, wow."
According to Pastor James, he has been driving about seeking folks who need assistance. He is especially concerned about homeless persons who may have been out last night.
On the third floor of Mike Stough's workplace, the Estero Island Beach Club, Mitch and Mike took refuge. They could see the commotion up close from where they were. They claimed that waves swept across Estero Boulevard, destroying the ground floors of buildings and sweeping away cars. The first floor of the well-known Lani Kai resort, according to Mitch, was destroyed to its structural components by the storm surge. "There's nothing there," he said. "Fort Myers Beach is gone."
Rows of homes on San Carlos Island had their roofing torn off and their windows broken by strong winds and waves. The storm had carried a boat out of a driveway and into the center of the street. Residents started the enormous work of cleaning up by collecting debris from their yards while still appearing shell-shocked.
Many people in this area believe they had a lucky escape from the devastation caused by a hurricane that matches a trend of storms getting stronger, which is supposed to be fueled in part by man-made global warming.
