Although Hurricane Ian weakened to a tropical storm early Thursday morning, it caused major damage to Florida’s west coast, bringing with it torrential downpours.
Ian made landfall on Wednesday afternoon as a Category 4 hurricane and carved a path of destruction, trapping people in flooded homes, knocking out power for more than 2 million people, damaging at least one hospital and even cutting off the only bridge to a barrier island. Even parts of the state were feeling the storm’s effects long before it hit with heavy rains, strong winds, tornadoes and more.
In case you didn’t catch the crazy downpour from Hurricane Ian, here are some jaw-dropping photos and videos taken by Floridians of the storm:
Southernmost Buoy. pic.twitter.com/q4YKIYZeDd
— David Goodhue (@DavidGoodhue) September 27, 2022
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Breaking: Photos coming in from North Perry Airport in Hollywood, where a possible Tornado touched down. @NWSMiami pic.twitter.com/rhfbfPWWMw
— Total Traffic Miami (@TotalTrafficMIA) September 28, 2022
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Video from a Publix in Cooper City, FL after a tornado touched down. Blew some part of the roof off! 🙈 pic.twitter.com/qWEzdWfdEl
— Mimi’s World (@mlchavira) September 28, 2022
Kings Point area scene and damage information can be found on our social sites instead of news releases. pic.twitter.com/aPOVwDmHuP
— PBC Fire Rescue (@PBCFR) September 28, 2022
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Storm surge outside of my moms house on Fort Myers Beach.
I’m so sick. pic.twitter.com/12ujJqmacH
— Beth #GetCaroleHome (@itsbethbooker) September 28, 2022
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The City of Naples has issued an emergency citywide curfew to protect and safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of City of Naples residents, visitors, and first responders. The curfew is effective immediately until further notice. pic.twitter.com/C1OIiFkCoN
— Naples Police Dept. (@NaplesPolice) September 28, 2022
A Facebook live video posted by the Naples Fire Rescue Department showed just how deep the water was in the city.
Got this from a friend in #Naples – just so sad. @ActionNewsJax #Ian pic.twitter.com/HtC0CtG228
— Jason Brewer (@JBrewerBoston25) September 28, 2022
People even risked their lives to carry animals to safety!
My boyfriend saving a cat from flood waters near Bonita Beach. #HurricaneIan #Naples #Bonita #FortMyers pic.twitter.com/BlBC9P1rdy
— Megan Cruz Scavo (@MeganScavo) September 28, 2022
Current conditions in Port Charlotte, FL. Courtesy of @EarthCam #FLwx #HurricanIan pic.twitter.com/cFuRROt8QF
— Alexa Santa (@AlexaSantaWX) September 28, 2022
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A chunk of the Sanibel Causeway even fell into the sea, cutting off access to the barrier island.
A section of the Sanibel Causeway has collapsed. It’s the only way for vehicles to enter/exit Sanibel & Captiva. #Ian pic.twitter.com/Sfqhf94ju2
— Bryan Bennett (@weatherbryan) September 29, 2022
A Port Charlotte hospital’s emergency room flooded, sending water gushing down into the ICU.
Just got this video in from Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte. Ive talked to two people who work here and they said part of the roof of the 4th floor is off. That floor is the ICU #abc11 #Hurricane_Ian pic.twitter.com/dgnJgbK3ID
— Josh Chapin (@JoshChapinABC11) September 28, 2022
Fort Myers Beach Times Square LEVELED following #HurricaneIan #Ian #HurricanIan pic.twitter.com/V3gHTs5Mx8
— Smurph (@swmurfl) September 29, 2022
This morning Sheriff Carmine Marceno took a tour of Lee County to begin assessing damage caused by Hurricane Ian.
We are devastated. Our hearts go out to every resident who is impacted. The Lee County Sheriffs Office is mobile and will stop at nothing to help our residents. pic.twitter.com/S4OsB8ajRv— Carmine Marceno – Florida’s Law and Order Sheriff (@SheriffLeeFL) September 29, 2022
The statewide death toll appears to be at least two, Governor Ron DeSantis said earlier today. President Joe Biden declared a major disaster for the state and Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said the agency is supporting search and rescue efforts. The U.S. Coast Guard has also began rescues on southwest Florida’s barrier islands.