Fort Myers Seaside councilman Dan Allers rode out the storm along with his spouse at a good friend’s home. However when he went again out, he mentioned the phrases that got here to thoughts have been “whole devastation” and “catastrophic.”

After the devastation wrought by Hurricane Ian, Fort Myers Seaside “seems like only a massive sandy seaside” if you happen to look from above, Allers informed CNN, including that an aerial shot from earlier than the hurricane would look utterly totally different from an aerial shot of the identical space at the moment.

As Allers will get out to assist clear the street, he mentioned it is like plowing the street after an enormous snowstorm within the midwest. The goal is to get to the southern finish of the island the place many of the neighborhood’s senior residents stay who’re struggling to get provides — not from the dearth of effort however a scarcity of enough assist, he mentioned.

President Biden mentioned Thursday the federal authorities will cowl 100% of the price that the state of Florida incurs for its emergency response efforts associated to Hurricane Ian. He famous that he authorized Gov. Ron DeSantis’ request for expedited main catastrophe declaration throughout his remarks from FEMA headquarters in Washington, DC, Thursday.