“A catastrophe of biblical proportions.” This is how a team building the Margaritaville Beach Resort in Fort Myers, Florida, described the tragedy that occurred. On September 29th, a category 4 hurricane known simply by the name “Ian” struck the southwest tip of Florida. As the death toll continues to climb, Hurricane Ian has become the deadliest storm to hit Florida since 1935. With over 105 Floridians confirmed dead, the effects of the disaster are only just beginning to be reckoned with.
Loss of life is not the only consequence of the storm. 2.6 million people were without power and whole neighborhoods were uprooted by winds that reached up to 128 miles per hour. For those who had property on or near the beachfront, many have returned to find that nothing but the foundation of their home remains. For those further inland, flooding was and continues to be of primary concern, stranding thousands. For those not rendered helpless, the rising waters still spell disaster as floodwaters fill houses and ruin property. Even in areas less immediately affected, mold, rot, and erosion continue to pose problems.
Now that the hurricane has passed, the real work has begun. Rescue efforts and reconstruction are underway, with boats motoring through the remains of neighborhoods, shopping centers, and town centers. At the time of writing this, over 2,300 people have been rescued, with over 7,000 rescue teams deployed all over Florida. Much of the rescue efforts have been centered around the Sanibel and Pine barrier islands off the tip of Florida, as the bridges and causeways that connected the islands to the mainland have been destroyed. Temporary bridges have been constructed, but travel between Florida and the islands is slow and inefficient.
Cleanup has begun as well, as dead fish, rotting trash, and debris litter once idyllic golf courses and malls. A 7-Eleven gas station once full of snacks, drinks, and random & sundry items has been swept clean by roaring water, but somehow remains upright and standing. Another problem rescue teams face is the local wildlife. Pushed out of the regular habitats, water snakes and alligators run rampant through once-peaceful suburbs. Many towns have put a kind of curfew into places like Sanibel and Pine island, only just now allowing those who have proof of residence back onto the island.