William Wellema drove all the way from New Jersey to Florida's Gulf Coast to see if his vacation home on Fort Myers Beach survived Hurricane Ian
Snowbird William Wellema talks about his frustration at not being allowed on to the island to survey what remains of his trailer and recover whatever he can, following the passage of Hurricane Ian, in Fort Myers Beach, Fla., Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Wellema drove down from New Jersey after the storm, but arrived to find the access bridge closed to all but emergency personnel. After four days living out of his car, he is considering crossing by kayak at night. FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla.
“They’re saying it’s because of the rescue and recovery efforts," Wellema said of the closure. He drove down from Little Falls, New Jersey, with a pass he got at the beginning of hurricane season that was supposed to allow him onto the island after a storm. Wellema said he's considering crossing by kayak at night. He is in touch with friends in other parts of the country waiting on his word to make their own journeys south. Their wait is a reminder that the death toll,Fort Myers Beach Mayor Ray Murphy has said no one will be allowed back until emergency services crews finish “searching for people who are hurt or might need help amongst the rubble, and people who have passed” in the town of just over 7,000.
The Florida Medical Examiners Commission has reported 92 storm-related deaths in Florida so far. Most them were in the worst-hit Lee County that includes the greater Fort Myers area and nearby Gulf Coast islands. At least half of the confirmed victims in the state were 65 years and older and more than two-thirds were 50 and older.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Biden meets with DeSantis while surveying Hurricane Ian damage in FloridaPresident Joe Biden visited Florida to survey the damage caused by Hurricane Ian, his second storm-related trip this week, and met with Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Read more »
‘No one f---s with a Biden,’ president tells Florida mayorPresident Joe Biden’s conversation with Fort Myers Beach, Fla., Mayor Ray Murphy was caught on a hot mic Wednesday. Biden said to Murphy, “You were raised the same way I was.' “I was, I was,” Murphy said. Biden responded, “No one f---s with a Biden.”
Read more »
Fort Myers Beach mayor talks about Ian recoveryABC News' Linsey Davis spoke with Fort Myers Beach Mayor Ray Murphy about ongoing search and rescue efforts after Hurricane Ian's direct hit on the city.
Read more »
Biden meets with DeSantis during Florida trip to survey Hurricane Ian damageThe president said he and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke several times last week about the hurricane.
Read more »
Biden meets with DeSantis in Florida as he surveys Hurricane Ian damageBiden announced he is doubling the amount of time the federal government will cover the costs for emergency response efforts in Florida.
Read more »
President Biden surveys Hurricane Ian-ravaged Fort Myers by helicopterPresident Joe Biden toured hurricane-ravaged areas of Florida on Wednesday, surveying storm damage by helicopter and encouraging local residents on foot alongside Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Read more »