INDIANAPOLIS — Hurricane Ian is life-changing for many Floridians.
"It was surreal to see the damage in Fort Myers, Naples and surrounding areas. The storm surge was so intense, I could see right through several homes," WRTV reporter Rachael Wilkerson said.
Homes that families poured their hearts and souls into. Pictures, baby clothes, children's toys, mattresses, couches and more were thrown into people's front yards. Boats were in trees and cars were floating down the streets.
It was a scene residents say they weren't prepared for.
Lee County residents were told to evacuate less than 24 hours before Hurricane Ian made landfall.
While around 4,000 people rushed to shelters, many tried to ride out the storm.
"They were devastated as they watched their communities be forever changed," Wilkerson said.
"It's very sad. We lost everything. We lost food, the shed, TVs, everything inside. We have no help. The water level went up to 5 feet inside of the house," Dago Verto-Flores said.
"It's emotional because this is my home, and this is everyone else's home and just seeing the faces of people that have been coming to the first floor, my neighbors and walking into their condos and seeing the damage it's hard," Katie Hermling said.
Several residents lost everything.
Many told Wilkerson Hurricane Ian is the worst hurricane they've ever lived through.
"It was heartbreaking. Many thought the eye of the storm was headed towards Tampa and it quickly shifted towards Fort Myers," Wilkerson said.
I could feel the powerful wind as the storm made landfall. I could see videos of the storm surge being sent in from residents and there was a sense of fear for many of them.
Hours later, going into the communities and seeing the damage left behind is something I won't forget.
Residents were emotional but there were sticking together, and that togetherness is what they say is helping them get through it," said Wilkerson.
You can help people impacted by Hurricane Ian.
WRTV's parent company, the EW Scripps Company, has set up a hurricane relief fund through our charitable organization, the Scripps Howard Fund.
To donate, you can text the word "storm" to 5-0-1-5-5 and follow the prompts.
-
Fired school CEO wins $269K judgment following wrongful termination lawsuit
A federal judge had handed down a $269,218 judgment in favor of the former CEO of the Edison School of the Arts who filed a lawsuit for wrongful termination.
Organization fears federal funding cuts could impact Indiana immunization rates
A local organization fears federal funding cuts might impact their statewide efforts to get vaccination rates up.
IU Health’s mobile lung screening unit hits the road
IU Health is hitting the road to help save lives against the deadliest form of cancer. Its Mobile Lung Screening Unit has already reached hundreds of Hoosiers statewide.
Pope Francis, who ministered with a charming, humble style, dies at 88
Pope Francis, who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change, died Monday. He was 88.
