Timelapse shows devastating storm surge from Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida

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[krollbrian]

Been part of those that was affected by the hurricane and lost few of my property I have to say this is very sad and painful and it more awful in real life. But all thanks to informations and research I was able to get governmental help after reaching out to a licensed and professional government loan and grant agent that help to apply for hurricane property lost and I was awarded with the sum of $35k. I think only 20% of Florida affected people knows about this. I wish everyone be able to recover from their loss. God is with us.

[md]

I live in florida and seeing these images, I am awed. Can’t even believe I am in the same state. We were fortunate. Praying for those affected.

[brizzybrizel]

I live in Ft Myers. I’m up at 3am watching this bc this is the only time I can actually successfully use cellular service.
I begged my parents for 5 hours on Tuesday to come to my 2 story apt bc of the storm surge warnings. Thank god they did.
We had no clue how much destruction happened as we were in the dark. My bf got lucky and had spotty service Wednesday night, so I texted my best friend in Texas to let her know I was alive. It’s burned into my brain reading her text saying “brace yourself. It hit off the coast of fort myers. It was a direct hit as a category 4. Fort Myers beach is destroyed, it’s worse than you’re imagining”
I weep for my hometown. It will take years to rebuild. But that’s not even relevant at this point…it will take weeks to find survivors and/or bodies on fmb & sanibel. I saw a post on fb saying that employees at the lani Kai (hotel on fmb) saw people escaping through their windows as their home was basically being swept away by the water. The current took them out and they never resurfaced. It’s like something out of a movie.
I NEVER play with storm surge. Every storm is different and they are telling you worst case scenario. We were told 12-18 feet for Ian. Never gamble. It’s not worth the risk. Prayers 🙏🏻

[boober]

Those poor people. How devastating. No one gets used to that. I hope everyone is safe

[phillipthomas]

That Is SO much water. Dear God. It's like the city became part of the ocean for a day.

[MynnieMonster]

I live in Fort Myers for most of the year. This was really terrifying. I evacuated because I had a bad feeling about Ian even though at the time I was evacuating, it was projected to be hitting further up north worse. I am so glad I left, but I am heartbroken for everyone who was injured, died, or devastated by this hurricane. My heart goes out to everyone who was in Ian’s path. It’s sobering to see an area I visit on occasion being absolutely torn apart.

[kiko]

Best wishes from Brasil! Our thoughts are with you all, stay strong U.S.A.!

[vineandbranch]

I live in fort myers. I am so blessed that we didn't have damage from Ian.. This was a powerful storm. So devastating. 😔

[whichgodofthousandsmeansno]

I live in Naples around 5 minutes from where the beach "was". Fortunately for me I was spared from any flood damage but have not had any power since 9am yesterday. Last hurricane we went 10 days before power was restored. After driving around today I can see 99% of the area has no power and no sign of any coming soon. Lots of accidents at intersections because the traffic lights are out. I couldn't find any open gas stations. I think one was open but it had a long wait at 6am. I imagine by noon they were out of everything. The rest of the day was just spent cleaning up debris.

[hebneh]

This is what a storm surge does. The more videos we have like this one, the better, because people in danger zones can see clearly for themselves what they need to evacuate from.

[guskamsmyth]

I visited Florida in 2011, I had the best time of my life, love the people there. I am so sorry for your loss, that is something hard to comprehend. You are in my prayers

[JL-znme]

I can understand why people didn’t evacuate. I lived in Florida for quite some time, and never have I seen such destruction. My heart breaks for these beautiful people and innocent animals. STAY STRONG FLORIDIANS!!! WE LOVE YOU!

[truqualitypaintingtv]

That power pole was like “that the best you got?”

[JL-hdhm]

I live in Cape Coral and didn’t get surge but going through this storm eye wall for hour upon hours with just my 3 kids was the most terrifying day of my life. It was so disorienting sitting in the dark for so long, it was like a train was running through our house, our shutters were coming loose, our slider doors were bowing from the pressure, and I thought our roof was coming off. It just didn’t stop. When the eye was finally over us I didn’t think my home or my nerves could take much more. Then we got slammed with the back side of the storm which brought even stronger winds. It was just horrific and we were some of the lucky ones. We have our lives and we still have our home.
I can not imagine what it must’ve been like for those who went through the storm surge. My heart aches for friends and neighbors who lost their lives, homes, businesses, family members. It’s devastating to see our entire coast, my community just decimated. Praying for Florida. We will get through this.

[dontclickhere]

I live in Florida, but I wasn't there to experience the storm because I was in a different state visiting my family, this was so sad just to look at.😢

[booglebear]

As a fort myers Florida resident, can confirm it’s not fun down here. We still don’t have any power, electricity, our streets, our beaches are destroyed. but we’ll get back.

[carlayoung]

My sister, nephew, niece and brother in law lives in Naples! They are safe and sound! But Naples is destroyed the whole Florida area is.. praying for the rest of Florida and everyone there! 🙏 my heart breaks for all them people I live in Indiana we get tornadoes every now and then but a hurricane I couldn't imagine it!! It is truly scary!

[sho]

Thank you for putting words all over the image. I had no idea what I was watching after searching for "Hurricane Ian damage" and then clicking on your video titled "Timelapse shows devastating storm surge from Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida".

[willbrink]

Vid does not give the actual time space though. I was interested in how much time elapsed.

[NoName-rmnv]

Someone walking down the street on right.. hopefully they made it to higher ground