Florida residents homeless after hurricane strikes – at least 80 dead

Hurricane Ian: Aerial footage shows destruction in Matlacha

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Hurricane Ian slammed into the Florida coast as a Category 4 Hurricane, leaving at least 80 dead and millions stranded without power. Although rescue efforts are underway and power is being restored, residents in the worst affected areas vented frustration that they haven’t received the help they needed.

Residents of Pine Island, which was directly hit by storm, took to social media to describe the state of the rescue effort. The barrier island’s only bridge to the mainland has reportedly been rendered impassable by storm, leaving residents stranded, according to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Denise Martinez said on a Pine Island Facebook group: “We do not have any help in St. James City, there are so many people here that have completely lost everything, like elsewhere.

“As of this morning [October 2], nobody has brought in supplies besides the people trying to get to the island themselves to check on loved ones or if they still have a home.

“All of the people on the island need food, water, gas, propane, they do not even have a roll of toilet paper. Something needs to be done today or more people will die. It is a complete war zone down here.”

The island was being evacuated by the US Coastguard boats yesterday, with no ferries back.

Governor DeSantis has directed the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to direct resources at restoring access to the island by October 8 – a wait likely to feel like an eternity for those stuck there with possibly limited access to food or water.

Mr Desantis said: “The 9,000 residents of Pine Island – some still on the island and those not – are without power, water, and other critical resources needed to recover from Hurricane Ian.

“FDOT has the workforce and resources needed to quickly restore this road and bridge and allow these families access to their homes so they can start rebuilding their lives.”

Fort Meyers Beach resident Justin Sarles posted on the Facebook to describe the devastation in the area. He said: “Today was probably the hardest for me personally. I met locals I know that live two miles from me and now have nothing. Everyone of y’all that have helped out you have no idea what this means to locals like me.”

He and others came together following Ian, cooking food and handing out water to residents affected by the storm.

The storm, with 155 mile per hour winds, has caused the deaths of more than 80 people and left million without power. Persistent flooding continued on Sunday and some St Cloud residents were urged to evacuate yesterday due to the high water.

The lingering floodwater is thought to be the result of compound flooding – when already high rivers are blocked by the storm surge from draining into the ocean.

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In the city of Orlando, home to around two million people, residents were urged to conserve water due to damage to the sewer system.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will travel to Puerto Rico this week, where Hurricane Fiona struck a fortnight ago. They will then travel to Florida to asses the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian.

After it barrelled through Florida, Hurricane Ian re-entered the Atlantic and turned north, making a second landfall around 80 miles north of Charleston, South Carolina.

Four people reportedly died in North Carolina due to storm related incidents, according to Governor Roy Cooper.

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