The destruction left behind by Hurricane Ian in some of Florida’s most popular vacation spots left residents and tourists devastated. Beaches in Miami, Daytona, Sarasota, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach were hit particularly hard by the powerful storm, with widespread damage to beachfront properties and infrastructure.
“The damage that was done has been historic, we’ve never seen a flood event like this. We’ve never seen a storm surge of this magnitude,” Governor Ron Desantis said.
Eyewitnesses reported that the storm surge from Hurricane Ian was particularly intense, causing severe erosion to the beaches and washing away large portions of the sand dunes that protect the coastal communities.
“The wind caused the surf to come up at a perfect angle and started washing out seawalls,” director of County Public Works, Ben Bartlett said.
GHS student Maddux Hurley experienced the destruction first hand.
“My grandma owns property in Sarasota. The wind was so bad it tore the roofing off and blew water through the vents,” said Hurley.
Maddux was able to travel to Florida to assist his grandmother in cleaning.
“My dad and I went down as soon as possible to put up new drywall, studs and just help as much as possible. We were able to get her condo renewed in no time!” said Hurley.
Many businesses were also destroyed or severely damaged near the coast of Florida, leaving the owners worried about the future of their livelihoods. Peace River Charters, a popular tourist attraction, was heavily affected by the storm.
“We don’t have the facilities right now. We don’t have our bait and tackle shop. We don’t have our alligator exhibits open yet. It’s having to manage hours — and naturally — trying to give people as much work as we can,” claimed Zac Varner, president of Peace River Charters.
Despite the devastation, local officials and residents are determined to restore their vacation spots as quickly as possible. Cleanup efforts are already underway, with machinery and volunteers working to clear debris, repair damaged structures, and rebuild businesses.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has warned beachgoers to be cautious while visiting the affected areas, as there may be hidden hazards and potential health risks from the storm debris.
While it will take time for the popular vacation beaches to recover, the community is determined to come together and return them to their former glory.