Two days after Hurricane Ian made landfall and pummeled Florida, the devastation of the storm is becoming more evident.
Ian’s powerful rampage through the Sunshine State decimated neighborhoods, ripped up trees, slashed power lines, obliterated houses, and was responsible for at least 17 deaths. Over 2 million people have been left without power. Meanwhile, rescue and cleanup efforts remain underway as Ian barrels toward South Carolina.
AFTERMATH OF A MONSTER: SHOCKING FOOTAGE REVEALS SCALE OF HURRICANE IAN’S DEVASTATION
Here are some photos and videos that showcase the carnage inflicted by the brutal storm.
Fort Myers Beach is gone. Hurricane #Ian’s storm surge caused catastrophic damage. Getting flashbacks to Katrina along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. ?? #flwx pic.twitter.com/xpjYhAIbxf
— Dylan Federico (@DylanFedericoWX) September 29, 2022
Fort Myers Beach Times Square LEVELED following #HurricaneIan #Ian #HurricanIan pic.twitter.com/V3gHTs5Mx8
— Smurph (@swmurfl) September 29, 2022
Ian made landfall Wednesday and ravaged Florida with wind speeds up to a breathtaking 150 mph by some estimates, NBC reported. The ferocious storm struck Florida as a Category 4 hurricane with some spots enduring up to 30 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service branch in Jacksonville, Florida.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dubbed the storm as “basically a 500-year flood event.” Prior footage taken during the midst of the storm highlighted its sheer intensity.
Powerful winds in Englewood, Florida.
Hurricane #Ian pic.twitter.com/254F7a3OO4— Moshe Schwartz (@YWNReporter) September 28, 2022
Absolutely heartbreaking footage captured by our surge probe of catastrophic storm surge washing away homes. I have never seen anything like this. We have now left the area as hoards of emergency crew have arrived. #HurricaneIan
FULL VIDEO – https://t.co/DOJJn2VThV pic.twitter.com/iPBUyVKw4s
— Max Olson (@MesoMax919) September 29, 2022
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
President Joe Biden has vowed to “get help to Florida families as they face Hurricane Ian.” Both DeSantis and Biden have put their political differences aside and pledged to coordinate on rescue and cleanup efforts. At least 17 deaths have been tied to Ian, but officials fear that the real death toll is significantly higher, per CNN.
On Thursday, Ian was downgraded to a tropical storm, but it has since regained some momentum as it rushes north.
