For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. The 2022 Atlantic hurricane season officially ends Nov. 30. Someone to travel around the world with me., Im going to do a TV show from every port. Some 10,000 people remain in shelters. April 28, Over the previous 24 hours, the expected landfall had shifted about 80 miles south, according to the National Hurricane Center. But guess what, a higher power came in and said, 'Go ahead, press that button one more time and see if she can take it.' But a local councilman didnt want tents on the beach. "It was hard to get in there because the couches and everything floated up, all mixed together. Hurricane They walk the beach at dawn each morning looking for the tracks of turtles who have nested. (The 29 other deaths were in post-storm accidents and suicides, in addition to one homicide in which a contractor was shot.) A tornado touched down in Charlotte County, smashing and destroying anything in its way. Ian tore through a few hours later, bringing 150 mph winds and a wall of water higher than the area had seen for decades. The only access to the Matlacha neighborhood, shown in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Fla., on Sept. 30. But he was alone at home with a newborn child, and the roads were too dangerous. People were telling them to leave, said Crystal Rothhaar, the chief communications officer at the nonprofit Senior Friendship Centers, which helps people in Lee and three other southwest Florida counties plan for hurricanes and checks in on them. Destruction caused by Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers Beach is viewed from the air on Oct. 1, 2022. There were 109 loggerhead sea turtle nests recorded on Fort Myers Beach last year, up from 30 when Turtle Time first began tracking the nests. New research is shedding light on the state of mental health in teens across the country. 0:51. He worked as an electrician, oysterman and fisherman. I could cry right now but I'm not. This storm showed us that we dont, said Jeannine Joy, the president and CEO of United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades counties. She's a former New Yorker and was in Manhattan on 9/11. You can never get prepared too early, Giarratana said. There were 109 loggerhead sea turtle nests recorded on Fort Myers Beach last year, up from 30 when Turtle Time first began tracking the nests. Weve documented 14 dead turtles, seven of them on Fort Myers Beach, Haverfield said. FORT MYERS, Fla. As Hurricane Ian charged toward the western coast of Florida this week, the warnings from forecasters were growing more urgent. Web2005,Oct 24th , Hurricane Wilma comes in approx 40 miles to the south with 125mph winds while moving very quickly NE at 25mph. The bill for that passed unanimously in the Statehouse, its making its way to the Florida Senate. Before the news was confirmed, some locals had gotten a sneak peek when they spotted the store was listed as reopening on May 25 on Google earlier this week. Seven months to the day after Hurricane Ian completely demolished Fort Myers Beach, another familiar face is set to return to the recovering community. Anjali Nair / Nigel Chiwaya; Thomas Simonetti; NBC News. The vessel was smaller than hed hoped for, but a foot longer than his old one. The deputies from the Sheriffs Office will help us in the event of a disoriented turtle on the street, she said. Haverfield said 16 nests didnt hatch due to storms which washed out the nests. Loggerhead sea turtles are protected by the Endangered Species Act, Floridas Marine Turtle Protection Act, and The Town of Fort Myers Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Code. There were 109 loggerhead sea turtle nests recorded on Fort Myers Beach last year, up from 30 when Turtle Time first began tracking the nests. List of Florida hurricanes (19001949) - Wikipedia Ian brought this gap into focus.. The morning the storm hit, Verdream, 66, told his niece Stacy Verdream that he planned to ride it out. Many have moved to Florida in recent years from places where theyd never experienced hurricanes. FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, many businesses along Fort Myers Beach have put in the work to get their operations back up. On the east coast of Florida, Volusia County opted for only a voluntary evacuation order ahead of Ian. "I got over there today and there was a note by the coffee machine, 'Call the sales lady.' Fort Myers Beach slowly recovers six months after National Burrito Day is Thursday, April 6, and some restaurants across the U.S. are joining in the celebration by offering burrito deals. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Haverfield, who lost her home off island in Fort Myers to Hurricane Ian like many others on Fort Myers Beach, said thankfully most of my volunteers have joyfully returned.. It demolished his sunroom and opened the house to the elements. Or maybe a boxer. Lee County will be receiving more than $1.1 billion from the federal government as a boost to continue recovering from Hurricane Ian. The projected path continued moving south through Monday, the center said. He felt the breeze through his beard, looked up at the stars, then climbed into his cabin and poured another rum and Coke. The Bay to Beach condo complex is at 740 Estero Boulevard, about a quarter mile north of the Fort Myers Beach pier where the rooftop fire with copious smoke was reported around 12:30 p.m. She encountered Hurricane Ian debris that still remains on the beach in nesting habitat at her first attempt to nest. despite forecasts for above-average activity, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. But Lee County had kept its schools open on Monday, Sept. 26, two days before Ians arrival, as did Charlotte County. Last year, Turtle Time reported that some sea turtle hatchlings were found under condos and houses because the propertys lights disoriented them. 2023 www.news-press.com. In the video at the top of this page you can still see hard-hit areas that are still months, or even years away from fully recovering. Turtle Time founder Eve Haverfield said lighting violations have continued to be an issue on Fort Myers Beach. Based on those records, NBC News determined an overall count of 148 deaths related to Hurricane Ian and analyzed 119 of those deaths that were caused by the flooding, winds and other dangerous conditions during the storm. Collson told her brother she didnt want to ride out the storm that way she wasnt comfortable requiring so much help with so many people around her. How to make the most of your Orlando trip, How a gay bar made downtown Dunedins business culture bloom, Rays go from being no-hit to blowing out the White Sox, Struggling Florida high school seniors may get graduation reprieve, Beneath a Fort Myers bridge, a captain longs to return to sea. hide caption. "Sometimes that can be a savings, as well if the company has overstated your replacement costs," Norberg said. Hurricane "I've had a good life and he threw me this curve. He screamed at the storm from behind rattling windows. Between May 1 and July 31 of last year, the town issued 220 warnings for lighting violations. Turtle time is here | News, Sports, Jobs - FORT MYERS - Beach Take a walk on the beach to see if your propertys lighting is visible from the beach, and install wildlife friendly lighting now, rather than waiting for warning letters and enforcement citations, Chustz advised residents in an email. The advisory stretches from Bill Baggs State Park, north to the Venetian Causeway, from the mainland to the west to the beaches on the east. The education is out there. Theres No Spring Break Here: Floridas Gulf Coast Fights to As a Category 4 hurricane, Irma caused more than $64 billion in Businesses finding their footing and opening again. "It's critical to check on that property insurance right now," Robert Norberg of Arden Insurance in Lantana said. Seven lived. One of the most common reasons people chose not to leave areas at high risk of storm surge was that they had survived hurricanes before unscathed. Copyright 2023 Fort Myers Broadcasting. This is something we talk about every year, how to reach people, he said. But Hurricane Ians toll on vulnerable residents showed the gaps in those efforts. He's 84, long since retired and now is not sure what to do next. There has been this assumption that everybody should be able to read these guides and get this information, but its not that simple, said Lindsay Peterson, a research assistant professor at the University of South Floridas School of Aging Studies. Heres why the Weeki Wachee River needs stronger protections | Editorial, Why well know a lot more about the Rays in a month, Top Tampa Bay area events for the week of May 1-7, A first look at the new $200M JW Marriott Clearwater Beach hotel, Tampa Bays zoos, aquariums and childrens museums: Whats coming this summer, 28 ways to celebrate Kentucky Derby Day in the Tampa Bay area, Bringing kids to Disney World? An NBC News analysis found that 119 were attributed specifically to the flooding, winds and other dangerous conditions during the storm. To taste the salty air and hear the wind chiming his sail rigging. Way Day 2023 has been extended through Friday. Hurricane Irma is the worst hurricane to have hit the Fort Myers-Naples area in recent history in 2017. Yost went looking for Pacyna after the storm and was told by a neighbor that he hadn't survived. Many trees,signs and debris in streets but not any Wreckage outside a residence on San Carlos Island in Fort Myers Beach, Fla., on Oct. 31. I never would have dare dreamed to have a hurricane like this hit Fort Myers Beach and for us to be on the worst side possible of it.. File photo. Michael Yost's two closest friends in Fort Myers Beach drowned in Hurricane Ian. ", Destroyed houses and buildings are visible in Fort Myers Beach, Fla., on Friday. Others may have lost spouses who handled such things or dont have nearby family members or neighbors to ask for help. Until then, his dreams will keep him afloat. A view of the Matanzas Pass side of Estero Island, home to Fort Myers Beach, Fla. Fort Myers Beach is expected to take years to rebuild. And the Barnacles so much worse than I thought.. Lee County officials say they waited to issue the evacuation order until changes in the storms forecast direction put the county in Ians direct path the day before landfall. Every hurricane is different, and slight changes to its path or strength can dramatically change the level of surging water. Tropical Storm Nicole made landfall in the Bahamas shortly before noon Wednesday and is expected to continue its approach to Florida sometime tonight. The list of 148 deaths excluded cases without clear connections to the storm, such as three instances in which people with pre-existing medical conditions died from natural causes. Hoffman, who has three kids and pets, took that as a sign that officials didnt see a big threat. Last Updated: October 1, 2022, 11:37 PM ET. As Florida approaches the start of hurricane season this summer, insurance experts say there are some things homeowners should be checking. Some were rescued by Turtle Time but it is believed many likely perished due to predators, exhaustion, and dehydration. Hurricane season 2022 ends; Ian deadliest storm. Why so many While Southwest Florida continues recovering from Hurricane Ian, this years hurricane season is a month away. Both Utterback, 54, and Pacyna, 74, had drowned. Fort Myers Beach Make a plan, and prepare for the worst, whether that means leaving town or deciding to stay with friends or family. When it comes to windows and glass slider doors, FWC sea turtle biologists have advised that , with 45% light transmittance may not be sufficient to adequately reduce light visibility to nesting and hatchling sea turtles. Though there hasnt been a nesting yet on Fort Myers Beach, Haverfield said the false crawls (as it is known when a sea turtle emerges on the beach but doesnt lay eggs) on Bonita Beach over the weekend were exciting to see.. Fort Myers Beach ahead of Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, US, on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. April 28, 2023 Don't Miss Beginning Monday from 9 p.m. to dawn each day through October, outdoor lighting is prohibited facing the beach except for shielded amber lights, and blinds must be closed. Being prepared for a hurricane is understanding that if youre in an evacuation zone and an evacuation is ordered, you carry out a disaster plan. There wasnt much time to get out. Much of the catastrophic toll was foreseeable and preventable, an NBC News investigation found. 0:04. Of the 109 A good Monday morning to you as the sun rises from Placida, he texted friends on March 20, beneath a photo of tangerine clouds. Her son Robert DeMoss drove to her house soon after Lee Countys evacuation order was issued and begged her to come home with him about 15 minutes inland. The big surge didnt happen. In Puerto Rico, Fiona dealt a blow to the long-term recovery effortsfrom Hurricane Maria five years ago, knocking out electricity to the entire island. Hoffman and his family watched with alarm as the water rose around their house, cresting just short of the walls. 0:04. It's also very important to try and keep a copy of your policy handy and safe. When it comes to windows and glass slider doors, FWC sea turtle biologists have advised that turtle glass with 45% light transmittance may not be sufficient to adequately reduce light visibility to nesting and hatchling sea turtles. By dawn on Tuesday, Sept. 27, Ians projected path put Lee County in the storms crosshairs. "I think one of the biggest tips is to find that insurance policy, take a picture of it and put it on a phone, so you don't have to find it," Norberg said. Amber LED light is bright, but it has a wavelength that is long which sea turtles and other nocturnal species, including migratory birds, dont react to. Hurricane But he only made it as far as Fort Myers. As Ian made its approach toward Floridas southwest coast, many residents thought of the last major storm to come through: Irma, a Category 3 hurricane in 2017, for which nearly 7 million people statewide evacuated. Broward County Mayor Lamar Fisher and two 8-member teams from FEMA went door-to-door Monday in some of the areas hardest hit by last month's flooding. Hurricane Ians high death toll in Florida exposes safety gaps - NBC It wasnt supposed to be hitting us, Conway said. We encourage people to use Amber LEDs, remove all furniture from the beach, keep dogs on a leash, do not disturb nests, no flash photography, Haverfield said. He was sick of the grind of bureaucracy, tired of living on land. Hurricane Ians toll revealed gaps in efforts to protect Florida's most vulnerable residents, an NBC News analysis found, based on death records, flood maps and interviews with survivors, victims' relatives and disaster preparedness experts. All rights reserved. Hoffman had evacuated for that storm. The funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, with 70% earmarked for median-income level areas and 30% for other uses, amount to about $1,338 per person in the county, per the [], Hurricane Ian has drawn powerful attention to an Army Corps of Engineers feasibility study of coastal storm risk management in Collier County that began after Hurricane Irma but was shelved before a final report was released.