Gas station stores in Lee, Collier counties become havens amid Hurricane Ian’s havoc
Hurricane Ian’s aftermath in Lee and Collier counties means driving through inundated streets despite a gas shortage, shopping only with cash at the few stores open, staying away from damaged electric poles, and finding boats stuck in unlikely areas.
On Thursday, a day after the Category 4 storm made landfall on Cayo Costa, a barrier island in Lee County, the survivors who were able to sleep were without electricity or cell service. Local and state officials said crews were working to restore both.
There was a long line at a 7-Eleven in Fort Myers. A gas station east of Naples, near Alligator Alley, became a haven for residents and for evacuees who were trying to get back home to assess the storm damage. Aside from fuel, the station’s store had electricity, cell signal, water, and food.
Hurricane Ian’s aftermath in Lee and Collier counties means flooded streets, shopping only with cash, dangerous electric poles and finding boats stuck in unlikely areas.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said there were at least 700 rescues on Thursday and most of them required the use of helicopters due to road damage. The federal government deployed hundreds of urban search-and-rescuers. There were Coast Guard and U.S. military helicopters.
President Joe Biden said, Ian “could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida’s history.”
Hurricane Ian’s aftermath in Lee County means flooded streets, shopping only with cash, dangerous electric poles and finding boats stuck in unlikely areas.
State officials reported there were at least seven hurricane-related deaths and they were expecting more as the survivors faced the dangers of the aftermath. Dana Souza, Sanibel Island’s city manager, announced the death toll included two Sanibel residents.
“My heart aches for those people that have been in the path of Hurricane Ian, for the lives that have been forever changed by this storm,” said Deanne Criswell, the Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator.
Hurricane Ian’s aftermath in Lee and Collier counties means flooded streets, shopping only with cash, dangerous electric poles and finding boats stuck in unlikely areas.
Some of the evacuees will return to find out they are homeless. Ian caused plenty of water damage to recreational vehicles, mobile homes, houseboats, and oceanfront properties. Some will have to search for their cars and boats after the storm surge devoured them and spit them out miles away.
“We have been hit very hard,” Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said. “I can tell you from the heart, there are no words that can describe what we got to see.”
Boats turned up in parking lots after Hurricane Ian’s storm surge flooded marinas.
Safety tips after a hurricane
Stay out of floodwater.Never use a wet electrical device.If the power is out, use flashlights instead of candles.Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.Be careful near damaged buildings.Stay away from power lines.Protect yourself from animals and pests.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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