Tampa Daily Press

Many of Florida’s West Coast resort destinations–popular spots for incentive groups–felt the brunt of the historic Category 4 storm, which had sustained winds of 150 mph when it made landfall near Cayo Costa, Fla.

The barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva were initially hardest affected by the storm. They had a 500-mile span. The storm moved northward to Punta Gorda/Sarasota where the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport suffered severe damage. It then drove inland through much of the state, flooding parts of Orlando and Kissimmee. Both Walt Disney World Orlando and Universal Studios were closed. According to reports, the St. John’s River which flows into St. Augustine’s Atlantic Ocean rose as high as 4 feet in just a few hours.

“The effects of this storm were historical. In a Thursday morning press conference, Governor Ron DeSantis stated that this was the first time we’ve ever seen a flood like this. “This storm has altered the character of a large part of our state. This will require more than an emergency response in the coming days and weeks, but also years of rebuilding and coming back.

DeSantis reported over two million power outages. Most of these were in Lee and Charlotte counties where portable cellphone towers had been installed.

Images of submerged cars, and flooding in the hardest hit communities, such as Fort Myers and Cape Coral, were the most popular news stories. Many resorts are popular with groups in Naples, including the Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Ritz-Carlton Golf Resorts and Edgewater Beach Hotel. Fort Myers is also home to the Marriott Sanibel Harbor Resort & Spa.

Helicopter rescues of people trapped in their homes and roofs on the barrier islands had started as of Thursday morning. Officials in Collier Country issued a tweet warning to not drive in City of Naples. They also reported that half of the roads are blocked by high water. Before the storm, Marco Island, where the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort is located, had to be evacuated. All roads were underwater.

The infrastructure was intact for the entire 125-mile-long chain of islands in the Florida Keys. Key West reported that roads were flooded or impassible due to storm surges or fallen trees.

You can donate to the State of Florida Disaster Fund by clicking here or texting “disaster” to 20222. Rosen Hotels & Resorts activated the Florida Resident Distress Rate in its Orlando-area hotels. Rates start at $69.