Hurricane Ian made landfall in southwest Florida Wednesday as one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the U.S., causing a ferocious storm surge that swamped city streets with floodwaters and damaging winds. It hit as a category 4 storm with sustained winds of 150 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
A Facebook live video posted by the Naples Fire Rescue Department of Station One, right by City Hall, showed just how deep the water is in the city. Fire engines both inside and outside of the building are seen submerged in water and first responders with water up above their waists as they grab their gear. And of course, the fire station can also be seen flooded out.
The over 12 minute video posted at around 3 p.m. Wednesday shows members of the department working to remove as much equipment from the emergency vehicles as they could. Public information officer Tarin Bachle, who was filming, assured viewers that they were all okay.
“It’s just our building and our equipment,” she said. “We encourage you all to please stay off the roads.”
According to The Weather Channel, over 6 feet of storm surge inundation has been measured in Naples, more than any other storm at that gauge location in at least 50 years.
Be mindful of the weather forecast and stay safe Florida.