Hurricane Ian was a monster, with monstrous results, bringing death and destruction to much of the state. Region by region, you can see Ian’s toll, which in many areas lingers today, more than three months later.
By the time Hurricane Ian reached Cayo Costa, an unbridged barrier island north of Captiva, at 3:05 p.m. Sept. 28, it was the fifth-strongest storm ever recorded in the U.S., just shy of Category 5 strength. An hour-and-a-half later, it made mainland landfall in Charlotte County south of Punta Gorda.
As Ian trudged inland, unprecedented amounts of rain – more than 20 inches - fell across Southwest and Central Florida. Roads, bridges and causeways washed out, closing Interstate 75 and crippling communities from Arcadia south to Sanibel. By the time it had crossed the state the following morning and headed into the Atlantic in Brevard County, Ian had weakened to a tropical storm that eroded beaches along Florida’s east coast.
The center of Hurricane Ian crossed to the south of the county, but tropical storm to hurricane force winds were felt across much of the county for over a day. An 86 mph gust was clocked at the Sarasota Bradenton Airport Sept. 28 with sustained winds measured at 68 mph. Some gauges in the county measured an excess of 10 inches of rain. More than 100,000 residents and visitors were part of mandatory evacuation.
In Volusia, Ian caused damage of at least $377 million, according to county government, sending backyards of coastal homes into the ocean and damaging many beach ramps and walkways. Ian ripped away a 120-foot section of the historic Flagler Beach pier. A house on State Road A1A stands on its pylons after the seawall it stood on was eroded by waves caused by Hurricane Ian/Tropical Storm Ian Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 at Vilano Beach in St. Augustine. The Florida Department of Transportation worked to secure the section of road on A1A from eroding.Volusia County felt the brunt of Ian on Sept. 28-29.
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.
DeSantis activates state guard as migrants flow into FloridaTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday mobilized the state national guard to help local officials respond to a large influx of Cuban migrants landing in the Florida Keys .
Read more »
Manatees survive Florida's first cold spell better than fearedFlorida officials say manatees weathered the recent cold snap well, as they continue to try to keep them afloat by feeding them lettuce this winter.
Read more »