This is incredible. I’m here in Naples and the severity of this is just setting in. This was destruction like we’ve never seen before.

To think once a thriving community in a beautiful area and now in ruins! Prayers out to those in Fort Myers and other areas where Ian struck havoc.

I lived in FM for many years and never saw anything like this. My family sat in a restaurant under the bridge after my wife’s funeral service and told Oma stories. She’s gone, the restaurant is gone but the memories will never be gone. God bless Fort Myers Beach. It will never be the same. I loved her!

I heard about a very old couple in their 80s, they didnt know where to go for safety, because they did not have a Computer or internet access. They survived by wearing life vests in their home, standing on a pool table, the water reached to their chins. Its heartbreaking when people are alone and have nobody to help them.

Lee County is never going to look the same. It's crazy to see the place you grew up and lived changed forever

Truly heartbreaking. Rip to all the ones who’ve lost their lives.

For you that don’t know Fort Myers Beach and Fort Myers are many miles apart and are 2 different cities. This is Fort Myers Beach.

I was down there today. Among the Ruins of the Island I called home. Home.. that was filled to the ceiling with water. Home that I pulled 4 items out of worth the salvage. 2 jobs I worked now gone. What's most frustrating is the gawkers that don't belong there. Just to take their photos and videos. Those that make the people that live their have to wait for idiots with phones in their face. Take this video for what it is if you don't live here. Please stay off our Islands if you aren't there to help. We have nothing for you. Our homes are destroyed. We don't want tourists. Come to help or don't come at all.

I feel so much for these people. I watched hurricanes during my life and the aftermath on TV.. I lost everything I owned in Harvey … I mean everything .. It’s hard but you can recover … little by little you get gains that help rebuild the life and community you once had and maybe or probably make it stronger.. I always felt bad for those whilst watching it on TV … when you actually go through it and come home or what you thought would still be home and everything is gone…

When one realizes the population of Fort myers was 80,505 in 2020 and now looking at the loss of homes and businesses one begins to realize the loss to so many people in just one area hit and that is not all the rest of florida coast. My heart is sad.

Early this morning I drove south on 75 and the interstate was closed near englewood because the engineers had to test the structural integrity and clear them before they allowed anyone to pass over. What I saw was a complete war zone, vehicle’s stranded in the middle of the road, no electricity, trees down everywhere, every commercial plaza sustained damage I even saw dead bodies. That was a hurricane for the record books. I saw many many trucks and search crews from Broward county crossing alligator alley in a fleet like a convoy with lights on and it brought a tear to my eyes, it was breathtaking to witness

The sad thing is so many people just relocated to Florida and weren’t prepared for this. I know people who’ve lived in Florida for decades and even though it’s tragic, it’s easier for them to deal with because they know what to expect. My prayers for those with missing loved ones.

I’ve lived here my whole life spent every weekend on that beautiful beach. Now I can’t even recognize it

An insane amount of carnage. You have to feel really bad for the fishermen and all their boats piled on top of each other. It's their livelihood.....and it's really heartbreaking to witness.

Support from all us FLORIDANS 🌴🙏 be the #1 Love ❤️ and Prayers. Concern for people that do not have Home Insurance, or car insurance 😢

My heart is broken! My favorite part of Florida. It's hard for me to grasp the Destruction of this hurricane. I am praying for the people of Fort Myers.

Being from Minnesota, I can’t imagine what this was like. No matter how many videos I watch, my mind just can’t grasp it. Their lives are changed. It must have been absolutely terrifying. RIP to those lost. I’ll take out tornadoes and blizzard any day. I wish I could come down and help. Bless all of you

I'm from CapeFear southeastern North Carolina and since I was born here I've been through 121 tropical storms and Hurricanes, was hit by Bertha and Fran both hurricanes in 1996. Bertha hit early June and Fran followed less than 5 weeks later while some were still out of power from Bertha. After hurricane Floyd in 1999 which was either a strong category 2 or a light 3 after seeing total devastation again I've vowed to not press my luck anymore, I will evacuate anything over a strong 2 or higher. It's not so much the wind as it is what is blowing with the wind and the epic flooding that destroys everything that the wind doesn't. I understand people think cool hurricane party, kinda like camping but trust me it's way worse. Most possessions can be replaced but your life can't and all it takes is 1 tree, branch, part of a house or whatever to end it. Good luck to everyone in Florida that lost a lot or everything and condolences to the family and friends of whom were claimed by Ian. People volunteered from all over the country to help clean up and rebuild as I'm sure they will do it in all states that suffer from direct impact of hurricanes. Best of luck to everyone

After living in Ft myers for 11 years I moved away 2 years ago. My heart is breaking

Barrier islands and marshland are not really meant for the development of real estate, let alone private homes and businesses despite the beauty and obvious attraction to the coastline. My heart goes out to the community affected by Ian, but I hope they make wiser decisions to move more inland where the ground is stable and away from the shore.

No words for my neighbors south. I’m right outside of St. Petersburg on an island. I’ve been through a storm and will never stay again. I can see that many folks thought they were in the clear down there and didn’t pay attention to the abrupt turn. I don’t watch a lot of tv myself and think the folks who stayed, many did not realize what was about to happen to them. My neighbor and I still deal with the storm we dealt with and with that brings on a fear that’s really hard to deal with in watching. So many questions and wondering how to move forward. Decisions which are not easy.

My heart goes out to the children and elderly who were not able to leave. And lost their lives .

Thank you so much for the video. My heart go out to everyone affected by the storm. It’s truly devastated worse than what I have ever seen in Asia .

that looks like an apocalyptic movie

What is so sad is that these people really didn’t have any notice. I am in Tampa and we started preparing on Friday. But these people didn’t think it was going to hit them until about one day before. Maybe two days at the most. That’s not very much time to get your boat out of there and get your house packed up

Houses built 60ft from the ocean. Just amazing. Godspeed.

I confess that I became a bit teary watching this.

Reminds me of Rockport, TX after Harvey and Panama City area of Florida after Micheal. Worked in recovery efforts for both for over a year each none stop before I had to step back.

wow, it's unbelievable and heartbreaking. It will never be the same, RIP to the ones who've lost their lives.

Their way of Life has just been Changed . From the way they Eat , from the way they Sleep, from the way they Bathe , the way they Shop . Most don't have Cars now , Most don't have Jobs now . Most don't have Homes now . It's going to take Months for some to get over this , it's going to take Years for some . Some may never get over it . You got to just get after it . Get up First thing in the morning , and Go for it . Soon as it gets Light enough to Tie your Boots 🥾. Get your Coffee ☕ water 💦 on , and Plan your Day . Tomorrow morning can't come soon enough , Because you already know what You'll be doing . 🐯🤠

I couldn’t fathom seeing my neighborhood looking like this. This will take years to clean up and rebuild.

This is all I’ve known for 14 years, and now it’s all gone! 😢 Thank you for the video, this is the best view I’ve seen of the devastation.

Shocking to see so many homes and businesses destroyed, but I'm utterly impressed how many trees survived the pounding of the wind and rain.

This video is the best seen thus far of the devastation caused by Ian to the Ft. Myers Beach area surrounding Times Square. Our family has been visiting this beautiful area for decades, and many of the shops and restaurants we frequented - as well as homes we've rented - are either severely damaged or gone. To see it from the drone in the sky makes me want to cry, but I cannot imagine how those who live there and work there will recover. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy.

It’s amazing to see how many of the palm trees survived despite all the destruction right around them.

I moved in 2013 after the water level rose 13-15 ft markable on my wall!!! 💥💥💥💥💥💥💥 IT'S NOT EASY RELOCATING BUT GEEZUS 💥 MOVE YOU PEOPLE ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Well, so much for Florida’s building standards for Hurricanes. I hope that new home standards include raising houses up on piers.

THANK YOU for keeping us updated with your hard work!! Prayers for all the people who are dealing with this devastation.

The last time a hurricane hit the Pine Island area, Lee County was in a big hurry for me to cut up tress that were knocked down on my land. This year, I don’t think they’ll be in The same rush. My heart goes out to all the people who have lost their homes, businesses and sometimes the worst thing possible, is to lose someone you love. 💙🦋💙🦋💙

Never be arrogant ! Be humble.

It makes one even more sad especially when you're helpless. This is a sad day. Ian came by: took some people and left families devastated. Please, I don't even know what to say to make people feel better.

This is so horrific watching the videos I cannot even imagine the hurt and fear Floridians must be feeling at this moment . I wish I could hug everyone of them and tell them it'll be ok. Anything money can buy isn't worth a second of their worry all of that is replaceable, it's just so very sad people were lost ... my heart is with you Florida, know you're being lifted up in prayer today and everyday ... So many amazing and resilient folks and we know they'll rebuild again... GOD please give them the strength to endure and lead their paths forward ....amen...

Living next to the ocean in Florida has always had risk. Eventually that risk plays out. I wonder how residents in the keys below Tampa feel, going forward?

It does make one wonder why so much is built at sea level

This doesn't look like damage from a CAT 4 hurricane. More like CAT 5. NOHAA needs to re-evaluate this hurricane.💯

I’m curious where they are going to dump all this garbage and debris.

Have you ever tried to un-stockpile a few dozen large boats? I mean, how do you begin to take the first one off the top???

I am happy to know that everyone I know in the area is alive.

I keep seeing the same Ft Myers beach footage, but I wish they'd do drones in Cape Coral areas. Hard getting info from around there.

These people are suffering and need prayer with physical assistance. I worked in the ninth ward New Orleans before and after Katrina. I saw destruction that words would not be able describe. It changes people especially young kids forever. This is truly heartbreaking beyond imagination.

My prayers go out to the people in the state of Florida.

Shout out to the equipment operator show at 7:55, clearing the streets like a pro. Thank you.

You would think that the owners of large Yacht’s would have moved them to a safer location. They had plenty of time. People do it all the time.

The power of the ocean during a hurricane, or bad Nor'easter is something to behold. I'm guessing at least 5,000 boats, from little 10 footers up to massive yachts, were lost as a result of Ian. The only home in this video that looked relatively untouched by the water was the yellow one sitting on the 20 foot tall piers. Most everything at ground level got flooded, it seemed.

Thanks for posting. Great video of a very sad situation for many people.

Horrible...God bless those people.

We're out here. Was there cleaning up that restaurant towards the beginning on the right. It's like a warzone out there. There's so many videos and pictures, but when you're there, on the ground, there's no words. It's absolutely gut wrenching. We'll be back and better than before.

OMG there is nothing left

I grew up going to Sanibel and Captiva Islands. They were truly tropical islands. Absolutely beautiful. The road going out to Sanibel and Captiva always looked sketchy to me. I remember the Mucky Duck and the Bubble Room. Taking a bike ride through the Ding Dang Darling Wildlife Refuge. I'll bet gators and snakes got tossed all over the place. I grew up thinking all of Florida was like that. It isn't. Good luck to everyone rebuilding, and giving it a shot to stay there. On this Earth, living in paradise can be dangerous.

I can't even imagine how they will even begin to clean this up. I guess for now they're still searching for people who might be trapped somewhere in all this wreckage... They sure need our prayers 🙏

The individuals who are really hurting are the ones who lived in the manufactured type aluminum homes. They are the lower middle class who were either retired and living there whilst also working in a place they lived and loved.

It is mind-boggling the total devastation! It just shows us all that this life is temporary at best and is not to be our restored paradise!

This is honestly more devastating looking than Michael, Ida, Laura and Irma.

Praying for all Michael was hurrific for me

How do you even locate your property when everything is gone?

Mother Nature once again showing us who is the real boss. Heart break 💔

Thanks for capturing the sheer carnage of destruction along Fort Myers beach, having had a property inland which we sold 5 years ago ,we revisited as tourist this May, Our go to point was Times Square,Bowditch Point and Salty Sams Marina for a days boating ,This is all wiped off the face of the earth ,but Fort Myers Beach will be rebuilt and for us as tourist we will return , We love the area and the area needs people to love at this time God Bless everyone .

I’m in tears 😢😱. It looks like a war zone! I live in Alabama. My heart pure hurts for all those people who lost everything!!💜 Praying for all !!

It simply amazes me that there is such a wide variety in the damage done to the houses and buildings. Some houses/buildings are just gone and others look fairly intact with minimal damage. Hopefully all new construction takes a lesson from these intact structures and uses the same construction methods when rebuilding.

You would think if you owned a yacht you would get on the yacht and sail the thing to a different port in a safe area. But then again maybe you're looking for the insurance money.

Speachless😢

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING! GOOD JOB! 👍🇺🇸

Without any discussion of land damage, many of the boats are commercial fishing vessels. Millions in damage. Awful.

Amazing how well the Standing seam metal roofs stood up..

This is the most thorough and graphic video I have seen yet. My prayers and respect to the lives lost and their family's. Once beyond that the cleanup is truly a logistics nightmare. Massive cranes are needed near the shore to move displaced boats ... but they cant het there, not even by water. The waterways need dredged first, or the roads need cleared. With massive yachts in the road the loaders can only clear to the yachts. The cranes can move the boat, but where to? And what do you do with the massive tuckloads of debris? Hopefully some of the concrete can be used to fortify water brakes...maybe. I'm glad I'm not in charge. They say its just a matter of time before Florida is under water. Maybe now is a good time to get out.

So interesting how a couple houses are fine while one in between is just gone. It's the hurricane randomly selected houses it wanted gone.

And this is just the beginning of sorrows…

Now the big real estate investors will swoop down and try to buy up all the properties.

WHAT A TRAGEDY FOR SURE! MY HEARTS GO OUT TO EVERYONE..I live in Ct and was looking to move to Orange county or Lee county in the Spring..I am now rethinking this decission..MY QUESTTION>>>> how do you even clean up after something like this? Where does all the wood and furniture go? what about all the cement?? What is done with it? what do they do with all the boats? my mind is boggled! thank you and God Bless everyone including all the rescuers xo

looks like heavy equipment operator jobs are booming!!! :-)

Wish they would take footage of the entire island instead they focus in one spot.

And as the population keeps growing in these areas people will have to build closer to the water and into the water !

This really is heartbreaking, could happen to anyone.

Thanks for getting footage of Primo Dr and Palermo Circle. I feel so bad. We were just there in Aug and was coming back in to weeks.

Never could have seen this coming. Oh yeah, everyone knew

So devastating to see pile ons w/ no structures left ,,I pray for those who lost their lives in this disaster !

Finally a decent video! thank you!

Humans are amazingly resilient! Love and support to all!

Great video ! thanks for showing this …😮😢

Was there a month ago for the first time, so sad to see this destruction! At the :26 second mark the catamaran on the right side dock is the only boat out of the fifteen or so docked that is left!! We went on a day sail with them! Copacetic Sailing ⛵️. Hopefully people can rebuild

So Sorry, my Heart goes out to all the lost lives and families 🙏🙏🙏

Prayers for all. Yet, Mother Nature marches on. The mangroves are in place and partially green. The palm trees are standing, green, and swaying in the breeze. It is so well known that you can’t tear away the dunes and then expect beach buildings to survive. Wise up, Lee County and Florida. Build back the right way.

Geezus, where do you even start!?

I couldn't imagine seeing Gainesville fl like that, cause man I say i would cry for days to see my hometown destroyed.

It's gonna be in the top 3 costliest storms of all time..Ian will pass Andrew,but Katrina will stay number 1....

Outstanding coverage,,, thanks. Pretty sure this entire area will be ,,, “un-insurable” for the foreseeable future.. If one is going to buy here, take title,,, it will be all cash deals, with no insurance. Living the dream will have a very large upfront cost,,, but I understand it. With no guaranties. Was proved in “Mexico city” Texas 2 years ago. I have been flooded out,, lost everything, been there done that 2019 best advice I can give, move on fast throw everything in a dumpster and move on. But take 20% of your time for your mental health. Go see a movie, get together with friends, take care of your mental health as much as your property… if things get too overwhelming, leave town for more normalcy stay in a hotel for a day or two with full service, “get a grip” then return and pick up the Pisces.

Strangely all the restaurants in downtown Fort Myers except for Ford's garage are open somehow

Beautiful

There’s no reason anybody should’ve lost their car. I’m in Tampa and I got in my car and drove away. And I had it packed with things I needed. When you see a hurricane coming you get in your car and drive out of its path. I learned that in Oklahoma, when we saw a tornado coming we went the other way. It’s called common sense.

great work! glad we moved our boat out of Legacy Marina to the east coast.