St James City Pine Island, FL Hurricane Ian drone damage covering most of City in 4k

Multiple passes over St. James City on Pine Island in Florida after Hurricane Ian damaged most structures on the island. I flew as much of it as I could, some low and slow but most is higher and faster trying to get as many homes as possible in the shots. For the ground version including coming in from a boat and then walking around talking with survivors please click below.

[codyccramer]

Thank you for taking the time to survey this horrible destruction. My grandmother has lived in St James my entire life, I have so many amazing memories on the islands. I cried when I saw an avocado tree I helped plant still standing. Thank you for providing this information for the people of Pine Island and those who care deeply about the place and its people.

[jbrtx]

The problem with St. James City is that there are so many mobile homes and manufactured homes, which can't stand up to Cat 4 winds, or even Cat 2. If you live there, it should be in a brick house, and even then you would have to evacuate when a storm like Ian is coming.

[jessvd]

Placing "manufactured homes" at ground level is all too common near the coast of Florida. That is a recipe for disaster.

[DroneUpp]

Heart wrenching to see and so much damage. Prayers for all in that area! It is apparent that some of the roof designs were better than others. Mobile homes didn't stand a chance as with some of the solid structures!

[kathyrobertson]

What a sad sight. Seeing this reminds us just how fragile our lives really are. One minute life is pure paradise and the next, paradise is gone along with all the things that made it paradise. Things can be rebought, homes can be rebuilt but the damage done to the human mind and heart will forever remain. The lives lost cannot be replaced nor the ones that are missing. Many of these people have stayed through many storms and felt they could make it through this one, sadly it didn’t happen. God be with all impacted by Ian, may He touch them and give them peace and the will to carry on. I pray all the missing people and pets be found alive and in good health. For those who passed I ask God to be with their families and loved ones and ease their pain in Jesus name I pray. Amen😇😇😇🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[maybear]

I’ve seen structures that look untouched on the outside, but totally devastated on the inside 😢

[captaincrunch]

What I’ve seen of the coast near Tampa is that it is endless neighborhoods all crammed together just like this place. Being from a rural area it’s hard to fathom just how many homes in Florida are on these coasts and massively vulnerable to these hurricanes.

[elizabethspencer]

Thank you for posting this video. My mom lives in St. James City. Thankfully, she evacuated, but has not been able to get back.

[cheryllclark]

Thank you for this extensive footage that we are not seeing from our newscasts. Can you show us how Bokeelia fared?

[joenop]

As a Resident of Lee forward no Trailers should be allowed to be built within 30 miles of the coast. Also, all homes should be built at least 12 Feet above the ground!

[nancymas]

This type of wetland area is not for building. The low lands and marsh areas are designed to absorb tidal overflow and storm surge. Not for building on.

[PatrickHenryLibertyorDeath]

This storm made me seriously rethink the dream of living on a catamaran.

[jeanetteshawredden]

SO MANY counties, towns, cities affected, and flooding is STILL ongoing for those "down river" from Ian rains. Many people still missing. Tragic. It seems worst case scenario happened. 😕 Amazing drone quality photos. Thank you. ❤️ many regular working folks lost their home AND their jobs... just the removal of all the debris from such a huge area (miles & miles) will be a challenge and take a long time. I am already hearing reports of the air smelling like stinky stagnant foul smelling water, mold, mildew, rotten debris of assorted "stuff". Woe.

[JudgeCrater]

Great video. I have seen a lot of YouTube videos lately of Hurricane Ian - damaged Ft. Myers' homes from above and also of the homes' interiors. Even if the roofs were intact, it seems all the homes got severely flooded inside. In other words, uninhabitable until major rehab work is done. Which ain't going to happen in many cases unless the government steps in to finance the rebuild.

[brittanyford]

Thank you so much for the video. I found my Grandmas old place 6:52. Breaks my heart 💔

[Chocolate-wbbu]

It's unfortunate that so few people build houses out of metal framing or brick in these regions, doing so could prevent a lot of tragedies. I hope they do so in the future. My condolescences to the families there.

[macking]

the mobile homes and motor homes are part of… “Cherry Estates has been serving the St James City, FL community since 1967. Our mobile homes have everything you need and more. Whether you come in a car or RV, we will get you a beautiful home that has space for your vehicles. Have a boat? We can dock your boat in our canals, giving you easy access to the sea.”

[jdstewart]

Thank you for the drone footage. The house that I wanted to check on was right at the very end.

[freyaamberfolkvangr]

Healing energy and prayers sent out to all who have been affected by hurricane Ian. May they find everyone, May everybody be reconnected with their families. And for those who have lost somebody I am sorry for your loss. Much love to all of you 🖤

[pappyjames]

It amazes me how some of the houses look un-touched and others demolished.