Tampa is spared the devastation of Hurricane Ian.
One of the most powerful storms to hit the US made landfall in the 125-mile south of Tampa Bay and hit Fort Myers
Oct. 30, 2022, 4:00 PM PKT
Carolinians braced themselves for deadly Hurricane Ian Friday. A large portion of Florida was submerged or covered in hazardous debris, while one large area of Florida allowed itself to breathe a sigh of relief.
Tampa Bay, southwest Florida’s 3 million residents, was dominated by Clearwater, St Petersburg, and Tampa. They had prepared for the worst.
Instead, one of the most powerful storms to ever hit the US made landfall on Wednesday. It had destroyed electrical power in Cuba and made landfall 125 miles south-south of Tampa.
Ron DeSantis, Florida governor, used the word “destruction” to describe some of the barrier island states off the coast from Fort Myers. According to DeSantis, the coast was struck with a “huge, huge wallop” by winds of up to 125 mph and storm surges that were higher than any other time.
Alejandro Mayorkas (Homeland Security Secretary), described the effects of the tempest on Thursday afternoon as “breathtaking”.
Freshwater flooding caused extensive damage in low-lying areas of Orlando, 160 miles north of Fort Myers. It turned roads into rivers, and acres of land into lakes.
Rubber boats carrying rescue service personnel searched for people trapped in the rain to find them. They proceeded cautiously in calm waters because they were afraid of hitting mailboxes and street signs that had been submerged in floodwaters.
On Thursday evening, residents of St Augustine and Jacksonville along Florida’s northwestern Atlantic edge were navigating through floodwaters as the devastation spread from coast to coast.
With many of the Hurricane’s effects still being counted, the death toll began to climb. Joe Biden warned that this hurricane could be the most deadly in Florida history.
The US president stated that “Many families are in pain today, and our nation is with them,” on Thursday.
“We are still seeing deadly rain, severe storm surges, roads and homes being flooded, millions without power, and thousands of people hunkered down at schools and community centers.
“They are wondering what will happen when they go home.”
DeSantis advised areas that the hurricane had passed that there was still danger.
“Falling powerlines that are down. He said that falling trees are dangerous. After storms pass an area, fires and electrocutions can be common. Many rely on emergency generators to keep them safe.
Forecasters predict that Ian will strengthen over Florida’s Atlantic coast, and make landfall in South Carolina for the third time on Friday morning. On Thursday, it was downgraded from hurricane status to tropical storm. It then reverted to category one hurricane as it headed north.
Many buildings were completely destroyed in Fort Myers, Florida, and Naples, Florida, on the south-west coast. Huge areas are littered with wrecked cars and storm-tossed boats, hundreds of trees, and houses that were blown to smithereens by hurricanes.
Jennifer Campbell, Fort Myers Beach’s fire marshal, described the scene as one of “absolute destruction”.
She told the Tampa Bay Times that there was “nothing left”
Kevin Behan, a resident of the area, had to race upstairs to escape flooding. As the storm raged, he said that it sounded like a tornado was coming every five minutes.
He said that the aftermath was like someone had dropped an atom bomb.
For the many people in Tampa Bay who were anticipating the worst, but still dreading the storm, the nervousness continues to emerge from the hotels from which they had evacuated earlier in the week.
Although many have lost their power, considering the fear of the same loss of life and destruction elsewhere, Thursday’s atmosphere was one of relief mixed with concern for those Floridians who couldn’t dodge the bullet.
On Thursday, few people or cars were seen out and about due to the danger posed by downed power lines. Many people were still relying on the food they had kept in coolers, and trying to conserve water for their showers and drinking.
Late Thursday saw utility workers and landscaping crews gathered to clear fallen trees.
It was eerie and abandoned, with many buildings still boarded up. Most people continued to stay put until they feel safe and have a better idea when they can return home.
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