For Southwest Florida residents, there’s now two timelines that dominate our lives — before and after Hurricane Ian.
A year ago, Ian was just a name, maybe a loved one, a friend or a neighbor down the street. Summer was wrapping up, just enough time to squeeze in a few more trips down to Fort Myers Beach and the barrier islands before our version of a cold season set in. Most of us were used to coming home to decompress inside a sturdy and dry house after a hard day at work or school.
Since Sept. 28 of last year, the truth is − that reality is gone.
The word ‘Ian’ can bring a shudder down one’s spine and an onslaught of painful memories. Certain areas throughout the region still look as if the storm ripped through just days ago. Hundreds, if not thousands, still find themselves displaced from the storm or living in hurricane-damaged house. Unable to afford repairs or find those to make the fixes.
The harsh and undeniable reality is that Ian is one of the worst hurricanes to hit not just Southwest Florida, but the entire state. After making landfall in Cayo Casto as a Category 4 storm, Ian ended up solely responsible for over $100 billion in damage and the damage of thousands of structures.
The truth is that our lives were changed forever and continue to be changed. Here’s what we know about the historic storm a year later and how it’s impacted Southwest Florida.
Truth: We weren’t built high enough along the coast
It’s no secret that when Ian came through Southwest Florida…
