As the scale of the damage left by Hurricane Ian continues to add up, Florida Focus reporter Leali Shalabi traveled to Fort Myers to witness the devastation firsthand.
The scale of the damage across South Florida is unprecedented. One example of the destructive nature of the storm is the Legacy Harbor Marina. What was once a bustling safe harbor is now a junkyard, with boats stacked on top of each other along what used to be the dock.
However, Legacy Harbor Marina is just one consequence of the storm. Fort Myers was drowned, with 90% of the beach underwater.
Residents are now struggling to deal with the aftermath. Family business owner Jenni Muench said, “The hard part is the non-contact when you don’t have a phone to use, and all the speculation and anxiety that goes along with that.”
Muench’s business was flooded by the four-foot storm surge that overwhelmed Fort Myers. She said she has yet to hear news that it survived.
The totality of the destruction has swept across not only the city, but the people as well. Resident Shane Bodkins said his friend’s sports complex in Sanibel was destroyed.
“It looks like a beach, the aerial view is all sand,” Bodkins said.
The good news is that help has arrived. Major Carlyle Gargis of the Salvation Army said, “Hope is on the way, and the Salvation Army will be here through the duration.”
The disaster relief has so far been instrumental in helping the residents of Fort Myers survive. Shalabi even pitched in during a 24-hour Salvation Army fundraiser and filled two large bins with disaster supplies, as she accompanied a reporter from CW44, where Shalabi is interning.
While Fort Myers itself saw damage in the range of $65 billion, one thing the storm could never damage is the spirit of hope in the residents which will continue to help rebuild the city.
To find out how you can help, visit the Salvation Army Florida Fort Myers website.
Credits
Anchor: Kacie Crown
Producer: Mirna Abushanab
Teleprompter: Diego Adesso
Video Editor: Kacie Crown
Technical Editor: Scott Schemmel / Leali Shalabi
Cameras: Gabriel Glassman
Web Editor: Ethan Quick
Web Managing Editor: Chrisovaladou Pantelis
Graduate Assistant: McKenzie Muskett
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Stephanie Anderson, Wayne Garcia
