The storm put Fort Myers directly in its path after straying eastward from initial forecasts and is currently a Category 4 hurricane. The Schulzs were helping to secure some homes of their neighbors who weren't on the island when the storm hit, leaving them with no time to evacuate, they told CNN. A customer fills out a Mega Millions lottery ticket at a convenience store, July 21, 2022, in Northbrook, Ill. People embrace as they survey property damage from Hurricane Ian, Sept. 29, 2022, in Bonita Springs, Fla. Damaged boats are seen amid a downtown condominium after Hurricane Ian caused widespread destruction, in Fort Myers, Florida, Sept. 29, 2022. Photos taken before and after Ian made landfall show how the storm affected the landscape, with buildings flattened, roads flooded and the famous pier destroyed. Feb. 13, 2023 On Sept. 28, Hurricane Ian made landfall on Cayo Costa, a barrier island northwest of Cape Coral and Fort Myers, Fla., as a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of more than. While hurricane season is from June to November, peak storm time runs from August to late October. Once we got out our front door, the current was so strong, we didn't really have a choice on where we were going.. The destruction caused by last week's Category 4 storm compounded a problem that already existed in the city of Naples the difficulty in finding affordable rental housing, Oliver said. To check the status of a BWN, you may call the Hotline at 239-533-8575. "They don't normally have dealers from all over Florida that are in the show, so for people who are in the market for a boat, it's a great way to come in. If youre looking to donate or volunteer, we recommend contacting the Red Cross, Volunteer Florida, and United Way by calling 2-1-1. From CNNs Stephanie Gallman and Amanda Musa. People have lost everything, in some cases. 2023 Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, Inc. Florida 511 Latest Florida Traffic Conditions. We have never seen anything like this in our lives since weve lived here for 10 years. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? On Friday morning, Fort Myers will hold a public memorial to the life of Police Chief Derrick Diggs, who died on Feb. 15 after a battle with cancer. "It's gonna be a really a great show. "We've been very involved in many aspects of the hurricane relief efforts as well for all of our members and our dealers and despite everything that everybody's been through, there's a huge amount of optimism out there, so I honestly I think people are going to come just to get out and do things," Good said. For the intersections still not working, treat them like a four-way stop. *Do not back feed power. Vero Beach, Florida 32960. The boat show still boasts the largest display of boats, boating products, and services on the state's western coast, featuring more than 500 boats on land, representing over 130 manufacturers. One person died from carbon monoxide poisoning after running a generator in a closed garage. Collection of recycling will resume at a later time. the methods below. 2023 Cable News Network. Make sure you notify your insurance company in writing of your intent to dispose of any damaged property and give your insurer time to come and inspect it or take possession of it. The storm was . WINK News has reached out to local experts and law enforcement to find out [], A donation program that sent thousands of dollars to Southwest Florida charities over the course of a decade is ending. Southwest Florida (Fort Myers-Naples) Hurricane Irma is the worst hurricane to have hit the Fort Myers-Naples area in recent history in 2017. I live out of town and cannot reach a family member. A lack of. Duckwall and Brown said Charlie was unfazed by the experience. STOP! Good also highlighted the Caloosa Sound Convention Center, which will be teeming with boating accessories from engines and electronics to services and swag. Flood zones in the Special Flood Hazard Area begin with V or A. Its important to understand what your insurance covers and what it doesnt. FORT MYERS, FL 4 HOURS AGO 5 Comment Its really hitting home now, she told CNN. FORT MYERS, Fla. The memory of Hurricane Ian still haunts Fort Myers Beach. Today her view is a skeleton of what it once was. Photograph damage large and seemingly insignificant to your property as well as in and around your property. Another neighbor, Amy Flynn, said, Usually it doesnt even flood, even slightly, so this is crazy.. The monstrous Hurricane Ian, nearly a Category 5 storm, was this morning aimed directly at Fort Myers, part of a metro area with more than three-quarters of a million people. When the power is eventually restored, this could cause a fire for underlying electrical issues. FEMA will not reimburse the City for this removal. The list of Florida hurricanes from the 21st century has been marked by several devastating North Atlantic hurricanes; 79tropical or subtropical cyclones, their remnants, or their precursors have affected the U.S. state of Florida. FORT MYERS, Fla. One person was taken into custody after leading authorities on a chase following an attempted traffic stop. Look at some of these docks. Tropical Storm Eta was a hurricane as is passed by Southwest Florida Wednesday. Saul Martinez for NPR FORT MYERS, Fla. When a hurricane assaults the coast, as Ian did to Southwest Florida, flip on the TV and the images the cameras have to show are palm trees flailed. Below. The south Fort Myers neighborhood wasnt the only place to see flooding Monday evening. Thanks for contacting us. August 23 - Hurricane Debby was forecasted to move through the Florida Keys as a hurricane, which prompted a mandatory evacuation for all non-residents. Our live coverage has ended. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. [needs update] Every year included at least one tropical cyclone affecting the state. On Wednesday, about a dozen flights from [], Memphis police are preparing to release the body camera video of the beating that led to the death of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols in early January. An attorney experienced with hurricane claims can review your property insurance as well as the information and documentation of your claim and help you determine the best course of action when dealing with your insurance company after a storm. We kindly request that our membership complete the Business Damage Assessment Form below to aid us in our efforts to help our membership rebuild, direct business affiliates to the best resources available and provide step-by-step guidance through any processes encountered. 1873 ,Punta rassa destroyed near Ft Myers by 110mph winds14ft s.s oct 6th was a cat 3 upon approach with 115mph winds. This includes non-congregate sheltering plans, maintaining 6 feet social distancing between families, taking temperatures and screening individuals prior to entry, routine cleaning and disinfecting, and designated isolation areas in case an individual in . 954-523-2020. Their homes had been destroyed and they were moving elsewhere, he said. We dont know whats going to happen for tomorrow, how long this is going to take to rebuild, Garcia said. Karen Dehays rode out the storm on her second floor documenting a terrifying, life threatening moment in video that's gained millions of views. Flynn said it damaged her lanai. 2310 Edwards Dr. P.O. From CNNs Devon M. Sayersand Alta Spells. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Sanibel Captiva Community Bank Donates $100,000 to Support Southwest Florida Hurricane Ian Relief Efforts. $36,995. Drowning was likely the cause of at least 40 of the deaths from Hurricane Ian reported in Florida state data. A south Florida man died Feb. 20 after contracting Naegleria fowleri, a brain-eating infection, from using tap water to rinse his sinuses. It is varied degrees of damage, but every home on Sanibel has received some level of damage. Air conditioning, laminate floors, interior doors, baseboards, trim and impact resistant front door installed in 2020. FEMA Disaster victims can obtain additional information and apply for disaster assistance through FEMA in various ways. In 2017, Hurricane Irma struck. June 67 While moving northward through the Gulf of Mexico, This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 14:25. It is a humbling site where mother nature took out her rage and nearly three months after the fact, the indelible mark still remains. "There's been a huge slowdown in the decay of hurricanes." Eta was about 130 miles west-south-west of Fort Myers early on Wednesday and moving at 15mph. This free, statewide search platform is updated to ensure all listings are accurate and can help you quickly locate an affordable rental property. A hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds. Although their home is still standing, others were not so fortunate. ft. 15371 Floresta Ln, FORT MYERS, FL 33908 $549,900 MLS# 222079753 Turnkey! They thought they were going to be OK as the winds raged around them last Wednesday, but then saw water seeping in under their door. If you are looking for information specific to a municipality, please visit their respective website (linked above) and follow their social media channels. Our teachers are cut from a different cloth, Oliver said, many of them coming in on an already scheduled day off to get their classrooms ready for tomorrow. Get the monthly weather forecast for Fort Myers, FL, including daily high/low, historical averages, to help you plan ahead. 633 South Andrews Ave. Suite 201 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Everywhere you turn, structures are leveled or stand in time from that fateful day on Sept. 23rd, when a nearly 20-foot wall of storm surge pulverized everything. The show will run Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (5 p.m. on Sunday). Disaster Assistance SBA Disaster Loan Businesses of all sizes located in declared disaster areas, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters affected by declared disasters, including civil unrest and natural disasters such as hurricanes, flooding, and wildfires can qualify. One of the winning tickets to Friday's Mega Millions jackpot was sold in Fort Myers, Florida, weeks after Hurricane Ian devastated the area. Some people off Winkler Road in south Fort Myers were forced to move their cars quickly once the water rose. See the 1985 news report about the case, How younger workers are using 'bare minimum Monday' as a form of self-care. 0:00. *Please note our assessment responses will not be made public. Small Business Disaster Assistance Florida SBDC At a BRC, SBA and SBDC disaster specialists will be available to answer questions about available disaster loans and help small business owners with their disaster applications. Caloosahatchee Conditions Report (February 21, 2023) Flows to the Caloosahatchee Estuary had a 7-day average of 1,649 cfs at S-79 with a 7-day average of 1,569 cfs (95%) coming from the lake at S-77. The reopening will not only provide a sense of normalcy for kids during this time of recovery, but it will also help parents head back to work, said Chad Oliver, Executive Director of Communications and Community Engagement for Collier County Public Schools. Fort Myers Beach, Florida A destroyed home is seen in the wake of Hurricane Ian, Oct. 3, 2022, in Fort Myers Beach, Fla. Joe Raedle/Getty Images Arcadia, Florida Flooding along the Peace River is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Arcadia, Fla., Oct. 3, 2022. That will take years as WPTV saw firsthand. The footage, captured by storm chaser Max Olson,. In 2020, COVID restrictions forced abrupt closures at the height of visitors season. Ticket holders in California and Florida matched all six numbers on Friday night, winning $494 million on Friday, lottery officials said in a news release. If you need assistance with damage from Hurricane Ian, call (800) 451-1954. Great test of the shutters. He spent the next 24 hours licking himself and mad at us, Brown said. Yount and his family had just moved to the area from Colorado, and he said hed met Duckwall that day. Hurricane Irma is the worst hurricane to have hit the Fort Myers-Naples area in recent history in 2017. Fort Myers mayor Kevin Anderson has lived in the southwest Florida city for decades and seen numerous storms, but he has never experienced anything like the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28. In addition to drowning, other causes of death during Ian were delayed medical service due to the hurricane, blunt force trauma and atleast twosuicides, the data shows. A stunning time-lapse video shows Hurricane Ian overwhelming a Fort Myers waterfront street and washing away a home in a 15-foot storm surge. After Hurricane Ian set it off course from its traditional date in November, the 50th Annual Fort Myers Boat Show is set to take over the historic downtown riverfront this weekend with some slight changes. *Be prepared and aware. The island has a year-round population of 7,000 but that grows to more than 35,000 during the winter months. This areas hurricane past. Some say flooding such as this in their backyards was their biggest concern. Good has been managing the boat show since 1986 with his wife, watching the boats get bigger and the displays get grander. It was scary, she said. At the very first opportunity, start photographing or videotaping every square inch of your property inside and out. SWFL nonprofits expect to be impacted by the end of the AmazonSmile program, SWFL gas prices to drop throughout Thanksgiving weekend, How bloodless open heart surgeries are performed, North Naples woman arrested after dog dies trapped in vehicle, After Hurricane Ian, Lee County reopening beach parks with free parking, Public memorial for Fort Myers Police Chief Derrick Diggs. Victims of #HurricaneIan in Florida now have until Feb. 15, 2023, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. "Pulling up here we can already see the vegetation is in tatters. The winning numbers were 9, 22, 26, 41 and 44, plus the gold Mega Ball 19. A common mistake made is what you do with damaged property. In Southwest Florida, the storms up north are already impacting travel. Who is taking care of the trees down on commercial property? Oh my God, the debris, its unbelievable. Hot. Unfortunately, this tourist season will be nonexistent. A hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds. Additionally, hurricanes Charley, Jeanne, Dennis, Wilma, Irma, and Ian, made landfall on the state as major hurricanes. 2022 Hurricane SunDeck Sport 185 OB. 79 hurricanes have been recorded in the Fort Myers, FL since 1930. In Naples, city council authorized the city manager to spend up to $100,000 to expedite the cleanup of dead fish within the city waterways []. Sale Pending. Several studiesfound that the Federal Emergency Management Agency provides less aid to people of color facing disaster relief compared to White people. Postal Service Florida 2 District has resumed delivery and retail operations in much of Central and Southwest Florida. I hope it goes away, said Pat Flynn, laughing. New timelapse video from a web camera in Fort Myers, Florida, shows the storm surge from Hurricane Ian flooding the city's streets. You also have a duty to cooperate with your insurer, which could include sworn testimony and providing financial records. What they found was that the house they bought two years ago was still standing, but the lower level was destroyed, blanketed with mud and mold. Phone: (800) 621-FEMA (3362). Details on this and other Ian-related relief from #IRS at www.irs.gov/disaster IRS extends deadlines, provides tax relief for victims of #HurricaneIan in Florida. That was the most trying and difficult time of my life. *Organize your cords. *Proper ventilation is key. Governor Ron DeSantis Activates the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, Making $50 Million Available At Least $10 Million of Which Must Go to Assist Agricultural Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Ian, IRS Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief for Individuals and Businesses. Brutal winter weather bringing snow, dangerous gusts of wind and bitter cold settled over much of the northern U.S. on Wednesday, shutting down roadways, closing schools and businesses and prompting dire warnings for people to stay home. When restaurants reopened, it was with limited capacities and a labor market that had all but vanished. How much should your insurance company pay, and can an adjuster stack on costs? Place the generator in a dry area or under an open canopy structure. According to their website, they will display boats of all styles and sizes while giving boaters the ability to have their dream shopping spree with hundreds of accessory exhibits at their fingertips. One of the biggest issues people are dealing with when it comes to insurance after Hurricane Ian is property damage. Residents of Florida and the Carolinas are combing through the wreckage after Hurricane Ian made landfall last week, leaving a path of destruction in its wake and killing at least 125 people.. 4:15 a.m.: Section of causeway to Sanibel is wiped out. Emig, 64, and Paskaly, 68, traveled in by boat, the only means of transportation for residents since the causeway has been breached. I need assistance clearing my private property who can help me? 2023 www.news-press.com. The rain even caused some car alarms to go off. A keychain depicting the state of Florida is seen at the destroyed house of Diane Risley in a trailer park almost one month after Hurricane Ian landfall in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, October 25, 2022. A well-prepared owner can help reduce stress and speed claims processing. Hurricane Ian made landfall in Southwestern Florida on Wednesday afternoon, just after 3 p.m. EDT The major storm has left more than 2 million people without power Ian was downgraded to a. Last month, Hurricane Ian struck Florida's west coast as a Category 4 hurricane, destroying homes and businesses with winds that topped 150 mph, particularly in Lee County, Florida, where Fort Myers is located. Meanwhile, more than 22% of the teachers live in hard-hit Lee County, but Oliver says the district is confident it is ready to reopen with the help of more than 800 substitute teachers. CNNs Hayley Wilson and Toby Lyles contributed to this story. The couples son Joe helped them clean up after the storm and described removing 25 trash cans worth of mud from the home. no image. How am I advised if I need to boil water? Latson said the more affluent, predominately White communities seem to be getting prioritized in the storm recovery. The property owner is responsible to coordinate the placement of all hurricane related debris at the curb to be picked-up by the debris removal contractor. All Rights Reserved. Gerald Herbert/AP Fort Myers Beach, Florida Three people died in separate vehicle-related incidents on Friday, according to the release. When we actually floated down the road he was awake but he never cried. Not only was there a game, but college students showed up for a dunk contest. Its heartbreaking, it is heartbreaking, she added. SOUTH FORT MYERS Heavy rains from storms passing through Southwest Florida on Monday triggered a Flood Advisory. Alufab installed quickly and we're thrilled with the results. If it is not, it causes the potential to back feed, causing significant hazards. The footage, captured by storm chaser Max Olson, shows waters rising in the area and slowly swallowing it whole Wednesday. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Public schools in Florida's Collier County are set to open Thursday, although it's unclear how many students will show up for class, according to the school district. RELATED: Reporting on Hurricane Ian's Devastation from the Field, I Was Struck by Floridians' Will, Faith and Resolve As the powerful hurricane came ashore with sustained winds of 150 mph, storm surges reached nearly 7 ft. high in areas like Fort Myers, while 12 ft. water levels were recorded in . Charlie was sleeping in his car seat during this part of their ordeal and Tucker, the cat, was in a mesh backpack. Air conditioning, laminate floors, interior doors, baseboards, trim and impact resistant front door installed in 2020. The people who work in nonprofits have not one but two missions. "I was just talking to some of the restauranteurs since I've been in downtown and since Christmas, they've seen an amazing increase in their businesses, the restaurants and all people are out and doing things, so I think people are ready to get back to some resemblance of normalcy.". 2 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,054 Square Feet for sale for $499,999 - AMAZING location with incredible sunsets. CNN also reached out to a spokesperson for the city of Naples and has not heard back. Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and visit leegov.com/storm for the most up-to-date information on the countys recovery efforts following Hurricane Ian You can also catch up on recent press conferences and watch helpful videos, such as thegenerator safety videoto the right, on ourYouTube Channel. 2022 Hurricane SunDeck OB SD 235 OB. You must make all damaged property available for inspection by your insurance company. Discovery Company. R R. Storm Smart 5.0 Fort Myers' islands, beaches and neighborhoods have a way of leaving a lasting impression. At least 127 people in the state have died due to Hurricane Ian, local officials said. Hurricane Information For Fort Myers, FL. Fort Myers, FL is in a very high risk hurricane zone. Dont run a generator in a garage, even with the door open. Latson is among the residents and community leaders in Florida who say the poor, majority Black neighborhoods such as Dunbar and River Park in Naples are forgotten as rescue and relief teams descend on the areas hit by Hurricane Ian last week. This is also called the 100-year flood. AmazonSmile allows shoppers to pick an organization they want to send money to by making eligible purchases. The first is to help people. Not only was there a game, but college students showed up for a dunk contest. Marine Connection - Islamorada. Hurricane Ian exposed a flood insurance nightmare for homeowners in Florida Residents on Sanibel Island, a small coastal community outside Fort Myers, suffered a direct hit. If you have a roof leak, TURN OFF your circuit breaker even if you have no power. Who is taking care of the trees down on residential vacant property/vacant lots? One-stop shopping.". The area of Lee County, where Fort Myers is located, was one of the most affected by the storm in Florida, with over 420,000 people still without power on Thursday, according to PowerOutage.us. Other houses on the island: Andy Garcia is the owner of Sanibel Home Concierge, a property management company that monitors about 40 properties. It is the responsibility of the property owner/site manager to dispose of its debris. List of Florida hurricanes (2000present), Based on preliminary death certificate data from the Florida Medical Examiners Commission as recovery efforts are still active.