I really do not know where to begin. Almost a month after the storm, I am back in Naples and sharing my personal experience during Hurricane Ian 2022.
My husband and I endured this storm which is now being called one of the 5 worst hurricanes in the history of the United States. Truth be told, we were never put in severe danger, but the aftermath was horrific to see. Winds were clocked at 112 miles per hour, and the record making storm surge flooded the streets. Fortunately, we witnessed all this safely behind hurricane proof glass windows. The power went out early on, but we felt prepared knowing this would happen at some point. The next day we slowly began to see all the destruction. What we saw was unimaginable, cars floating, boats thrown around, several trees uprooted, and debris thrown everywhere. With the power out we really didn’t know the severity of all the damage, or that many others lost their homes, and worse, several people had sadly lost their lives.
My experience during Hurricane Ian
The first day after the storm everyone in our condo building congregated in the lobby. The lobby was on a generator. A few electrical outlets worked which allowed us to charge our phones and make coffee. The internet was spotty which kept us from seeing the reality of what really happened. What was especially difficult for my husband, and I was the lack of communication with our children. Phone service would go in and out. Our conversations were always brief when we were lucky to make a connection with our children.
Because of the power outage, we had to climb up and down seventeen flights of stairs as the elevator shafts had flooded. I later found out it happened in several buildings up and down the coast. Otherwise, our only loss was our car, to which we feel fortunate.
On the fourth day, our power returned. I was thankful for this because our condo was without air conditioning. We had our hurricane shutters down before the storm. When the electricity went out, we could not raise them, leaving our condo dark, and without fresh air. Once the power went back on, I was thrilled to open our lanai and take a shower after days without hot water.
Trying to Travel Back to Chicago
Weeks before we learned of Hurricane Ian, my husband and I had plans to fly back to Chicago to visit family. Unfortunately, the Fort Myers airport was shut down after the storm. Which meant we needed to find an alternative airport in Florida.
Our children helped search for a flight because we did not have the internet. They would text info and we would call the airlines.
Since we did not have a car for transportation, my husband took an Uber to two different airports looking for rental cars. We were preparing to drive to Illinois if we could not find flights. Fortunately, he was able to rent the very last car available. Our son found us a flight out of Tampa, which is about 175 miles from us. We gave ourselves plenty of time to get there. However, on the way to the airport, a levy in Venice, Florida broke, causing flooding and the main highway to close. As a result, we had to take many detours causing us to miss our flight.
Along the drive I saw Red Cross convoys being escorted on the highway, military rescue vehicles, police barricades blocking roads, and boats piled on top of each other. It felt as though we were living in a science fiction movie after a natural disaster, it was surreal. The further north we drove the worst it seemed to be, confirming the strength of this storm. Once we arrived at the airport, it was a six hour wait until the next flight, to which we felt lucky to be able to catch another flight that day.
Our decision to stay in Naples
We chose to stay in Naples during the hurricane because my husband had a couple of important doctors’ appointments, which we needed to take care of. What I have learned going through this experience, is the importance of not being quick to judge those that choose to stay and those that choose to evacuate. Many stayed because this was their only place to go, or they wanted to protect their homes and businesses.
Mother nature has a mind of her own. The pattern of the hurricane only changed hours before the evacuation order was issued. Many people were far enough inland and never expected the storm surge to reach them. No one could foresee what was to come. Many families have suffered and need our support. I know our community will get back, but it will take time to restore normalcy again.
It has been a month now since hurricane Ian ripped through the state of Florida. We are now back in our condo. However, our elevators are not repaired and there is no indication as to when they will be. The beaches are still shut down because the water may be contaminated, and dangerous debris is washing ashore. There are many homes along the streets with furniture and drywall sitting on the curbs waiting to be picked up. Amid all this there is optimism, local businesses are opening up, acts of kindness keep escalating, and the sunshine is comforting.
My husband and I had a few inconveniences, and yet, every time I start to feel the least bit of self-pity, I think about others that were left with nothing but the clothing on their backs. Never truly knowing the pain and loss that many other have had to live though, I continue to pray for Florida. Our community has been shown an outpour of support, but the devastation is still prelevant. This will always be my paradise and a place I enjoy calling home. I just appreciate it more now than ever before. #floridastrong
