Hurricane Ian, Fort Myers Beach Raw Drone Extensive Damage Survey - 10/1/2022

This is incredible. I’m here in Naples and the severity of this is just setting in. This was destruction like we’ve never seen before.

To think once a thriving community in a beautiful area and now in ruins! Prayers out to those in Fort Myers and other areas where Ian struck havoc.

I heard about a very old couple in their 80s, they didnt know where to go for safety, because they did not have a Computer or internet access. They survived by wearing life vests in their home, standing on a pool table, the water reached to their chins. Its heartbreaking when people are alone and have nobody to help them.

Truly heartbreaking. Rip to all the ones who’ve lost their lives.

When one realizes the population of Fort myers was 80,505 in 2020 and now looking at the loss of homes and businesses one begins to realize the loss to so many people in just one area hit and that is not all the rest of florida coast. My heart is sad.

For you that don’t know Fort Myers Beach and Fort Myers are many miles apart and are 2 different cities. This is Fort Myers Beach.

I feel so much for these people. I watched hurricanes during my life and the aftermath on TV.. I lost everything I owned in Harvey … I mean everything .. It’s hard but you can recover … little by little you get gains that help rebuild the life and community you once had and maybe or probably make it stronger.. I always felt bad for those whilst watching it on TV … when you actually go through it and come home or what you thought would still be home and everything is gone…

Lee County is never going to look the same. It's crazy to see the place you grew up and lived changed forever

I lived in FM for many years and never saw anything like this. My family sat in a restaurant under the bridge after my wife’s funeral service and told Oma stories. She’s gone, the restaurant is gone but the memories will never be gone. God bless Fort Myers Beach. It will never be the same. I loved her!

An insane amount of carnage. You have to feel really bad for the fishermen and all their boats piled on top of each other. It's their livelihood.....and it's really heartbreaking to witness.

The sad thing is so many people just relocated to Florida and weren’t prepared for this. I know people who’ve lived in Florida for decades and even though it’s tragic, it’s easier for them to deal with because they know what to expect. My prayers for those with missing loved ones.

Early this morning I drove south on 75 and the interstate was closed near englewood because the engineers had to test the structural integrity and clear them before they allowed anyone to pass over. What I saw was a complete war zone, vehicle’s stranded in the middle of the road, no electricity, trees down everywhere, every commercial plaza sustained damage I even saw dead bodies. That was a hurricane for the record books. I saw many many trucks and search crews from Broward county crossing alligator alley in a fleet like a convoy with lights on and it brought a tear to my eyes, it was breathtaking to witness

What is so sad is that these people really didn’t have any notice. I am in Tampa and we started preparing on Friday. But these people didn’t think it was going to hit them until about one day before. Maybe two days at the most. That’s not very much time to get your boat out of there and get your house packed up

I'm from CapeFear southeastern North Carolina and since I was born here I've been through 121 tropical storms and Hurricanes, was hit by Bertha and Fran both hurricanes in 1996. Bertha hit early June and Fran followed less than 5 weeks later while some were still out of power from Bertha. After hurricane Floyd in 1999 which was either a strong category 2 or a light 3 after seeing total devastation again I've vowed to not press my luck anymore, I will evacuate anything over a strong 2 or higher. It's not so much the wind as it is what is blowing with the wind and the epic flooding that destroys everything that the wind doesn't. I understand people think cool hurricane party, kinda like camping but trust me it's way worse. Most possessions can be replaced but your life can't and all it takes is 1 tree, branch, part of a house or whatever to end it. Good luck to everyone in Florida that lost a lot or everything and condolences to the family and friends of whom were claimed by Ian. People volunteered from all over the country to help clean up and rebuild as I'm sure they will do it in all states that suffer from direct impact of hurricanes. Best of luck to everyone

No words for my neighbors south. I’m right outside of St. Petersburg on an island. I’ve been through a storm and will never stay again. I can see that many folks thought they were in the clear down there and didn’t pay attention to the abrupt turn. I don’t watch a lot of tv myself and think the folks who stayed, many did not realize what was about to happen to them. My neighbor and I still deal with the storm we dealt with and with that brings on a fear that’s really hard to deal with in watching. So many questions and wondering how to move forward. Decisions which are not easy.

After living in Ft myers for 11 years I moved away 2 years ago. My heart is breaking

Their way of Life has just been Changed . From the way they Eat , from the way they Sleep, from the way they Bathe , the way they Shop . Most don't have Cars now , Most don't have Jobs now . Most don't have Homes now . It's going to take Months for some to get over this , it's going to take Years for some . Some may never get over it . You got to just get after it . Get up First thing in the morning , and Go for it . Soon as it gets Light enough to Tie your Boots 🥾. Get your Coffee ☕ water 💦 on , and Plan your Day . Tomorrow morning can't come soon enough , Because you already know what You'll be doing . 🐯🤠

Being from Minnesota, I can’t imagine what this was like. No matter how many videos I watch, my mind just can’t grasp it. Their lives are changed. It must have been absolutely terrifying. RIP to those lost. I’ll take out tornadoes and blizzard any day. I wish I could come down and help. Bless all of you

My heart is broken! My favorite part of Florida. It's hard for me to grasp the Destruction of this hurricane. I am praying for the people of Fort Myers.

Have you ever tried to un-stockpile a few dozen large boats? I mean, how do you begin to take the first one off the top???