After Hurricane Ian destroyed communities in Florida, rescue teams continue going door to door in search of survivors. As of Monday, October 3, at least 101 people have died from the hurricane in the state – 54 of them in Lee County alone.
On Sanibel Island, now isolated after Ian destroyed part of the bridge that connected it to the mainland, all homes have sustained damage, according to Sanibel Fire Chief William Briscoe in an interview with CNN.
“There are many places that are uninhabitable. There are houses off their foundations, and it’s very dangerous out there,” Briscoe said. “There are alligators and snakes everywhere,” he added.
A similar situation is occurring on neighboring Pine Island, the largest island on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Just a few days ago, it was a quiet fishing destination known for its small-town atmosphere. Now it looks like a war zone, with cracked roads and destroyed homes.
Ian also severed the only bridge connecting Pine Island to the mainland, making it accessible only by boat or plane. Supplies are being transported to the island by helicopter, as some residents have chosen to stay in their homes, authorities said.
Work is already underway to install a temporary bridge on Pine Island.
In Fort Myers Beach, where the hurricane destroyed countless homes, schools, and businesses, power may not be restored for 30 days due to damage to the electrical infrastructure.
Population Growth
The hurricane Ian struck one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. Many residents faced their first hurricane and may not have been prepared for it.
Florida has added nearly 3 million people since 2010. And the Fort Myers area, which was devastated by the storm, was recently named the sixth fastest-growing city in the country by the US Census Bureau. The population in the Fort Myers-Cape Coral metropolitan area was about 444,000 in 2000, according to Census Bureau data. By 2021, it had increased to over 787,000.
Southwest Florida is attractive largely because it has a good quality of life – it’s sunny, warm, and relatively inexpensive compared to other regions of the country. As such, the area, which has a reputation for attracting retirees, has recently been drawing new residents from parts of the country that historically have little experience with hurricanes. In 2019, Florida saw the largest migration from northeastern states, including New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, according to the Census Bureau.