Hurricane Ian: Witnessing the aftermath on Sanibel Island and Florida’s southwest coast | 60 Minutes

Bill Whitaker travels to the Florida shoreline where Hurricane Ian made landfall as a Category 4 storm.
#60Minutes #News #HurricaneIan
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[@xxxxMonkeyGirlxxxx]

Why are all the new reporters obsessed with Sanibel Island? The majority of those homes were $1 million dollar homes. Those people will be fine. Talk about places like San Carlos Island which has been neglected and forgotten by the news media.

[@bluntfoster]

Yea its a shame they don't talking about the working class people in Charlotte, Lee, and Desoto County they lost there homes and business. All those barrier islands are full of multimillion dollar homes that are occupied seasonally or they're rentals.

[@intheknow7659]

What I want to know, why did the media get to go into ft myers beach before the residents. hmmmm

[@sarahj8207]

Sanibel island is a huge tourist destination. 60 minutes is a nationwide broadcast, it definitely resonates with a larger group of people who have vacationed there. I was going to go there for the first time for my 12th Anniversary in November. Not anymore.

[@sab4793]

and every single person lost their home there, it’s catastrophic

[@sarahj8207]

@@sab4793 smh

[@tdsportscards]

I stayed here in North Fort Myers...we were in the edge of the eye for 6 hours...it stalled for an hour less than a mile away from my area...you know your helpless when your sitting on the floor of your bathroom for 10 hours while your house is shaking and you hear metal folding and shingles bouncing off your home and car...crazy feeling..my neighbor got 137 mph on his wind meter...very long day mentally and physically...and I was a lucky one

[@juanitachristner5009]

You lived to tell the story. We honor you. And appreciate your story.

[@conniesparks8033]

Holding you up in prayer. Most do not or care not to know the REAL DEVESTATION IAN HAS BROUGHT TO YOUR LIVES AND COMMUNITIES! I'm soooo very sorry!

[@irepairofpc31familykartrac51]

I feel for you I stayed through Michael, it was the worst experience of my life and still bothers to this day. Four years and I’m still repairing my house. Stay strong 💪

[@georganna7200]

So sorry you endured that. I hope you find a swift recovery.

[@danielmconnolly7]

🙏👑🕊️✨

[@PraveenSriram]

Has it only been 14 days since the hurricane 🌀 hit Florida? It feels like 2 months since then. Time feels really strange and weird.

[@kathleenvecchioni696]

I agree. Time seems so weird now

[@priscillafuentes8663]

Thank you, sir. I don't live there, but what a thoughtful thing you did. God bless you.

[@elizabethhales8553]

Absolutely Thank You So Much.

[@ginadelsasso288]

These people are one of the lucky ones. They still had a house standing and plenty of items inside to salvage.

[@Me-sq9ol]

Unfortunately, This is what happens when you live only inches above sea level. Insurance is going to become unaffordable here.

[@relatablevoices1120]

Insurance should be charged based on flooded area. This is a sad time... 😔

[@debrahelmlinger6256]

It was already unaffordable, that's why so many didn't have it

[@bluntfoster]

Most people are self insured out on the islands. Most of the home are investment properties or rentals. Those people that own out there have enough money to rebuild multiple times if needed.

[@Boris_Chang]

Coming soon to a city near you.

[@shek9]

Nameless, Bluntfoster … You don't know that for a fact do you? 😏😕 You shouldn't be making a statement like that without knowing the facts!

[@bandingo652]

I rode the storm out in my car. I was only about 6 or 7 miles south of where it impacted. The way the storm raged, the sound of the transformers blowing up .. The wind was shaking the car, It was as if I was parked right next to a freight train depot. Then all reception had been lost. It was truly the loneliest I had felt. I had no connection to anyone. If I had gotten hurt , I was gunna be up shitz creek. Even though it's been 2 weeks & the majority of us already have power restored , Things are still weird around here in Ft.Myers. it's going to take us awhile to get back to somewhat normal. A big shout out to all of FP&L , LCEC & the power companies from other states. Gotta show some love for the tree guys too not to mention the establishments that have stepped up to provide food & supplies. As for my fellow brethrens & sisters of Ft.Myers, Stay strong & keep forging ahead. We have us a summit to scale but we are in it together!

[@honestytoafault]

That was your choice....a stupid one. But your choice

[@deelove113]

That doesn't make you cool.

[@bandingo652]

@@honestytoafault well I'm still here & my house isn't, so had I stayed at home I'd be another statistic but I chose to leave instead so I'd say it was a smart decision. After all, I did make it. I'm not being a hater cuz we are all ignorant to certain things.

[@wiseowl2020]

You lie. If you'd been in a car that close to rh eye? You'd be dead from drowning.

[@barbaratrepka5896]

I lived a mile from the Sanibel Bridge. It was the best area to live. We lost everything to flood damage from the surge. My heart is broken, I loved my home and loved piece of paradise

[@Chet_Brinkley]

But of course, certainly you knew that it was possible and that you were a sitting duck , didn't you ?

[@mattbosley3531]

Obviously, then, it wasn't actually the best area to live. When it's only a good area to live in good weather you have a problem because you can't control the weather. You have an odd idea of paradise. To me paradise is a place without hurricanes or tornadoes to destroy my home. No floods is good too. Since Florida has hurricanes regularly, it doesn't fit my definition.

[@anaelisalopez8184]

I am sorry that happened to you. Our home in Houston was flooded in Harvey in 2017. It takes years to recover, and I am praying for everyone that was affected by this storm.

[@appriddy]

@@Chet_Brinkley What a terrible inconsiderate thing to say. You have no idea what people are going through in Southwest Florida.

[@Chet_Brinkley]

@@appriddy Oh but I DO ! Like I said, if you build your home in a high probability area then why would you be so distraught when the obvious happens ? Are you crazy ? !

[@gregsouther7293]

Thank you 60 minutes for coming down. People outside of our area have no idea to the extent of destruction we received from this storm.

[@amandalopez9438]

😢I use to leave in west Palm beach and I moved out to South Carolina 4 years ago just to be safe from hurricane 🌀 but here we have tornadoes 🌪️ so no where we are safe

[@Dragonfly657]

You don’t build houses on barrier islands! A barrier island breaks the wind before heading to shore! I was happy to hear they are leaving. I’m in Nokomis I’ve been here 25 years 7 hurricanes and this is my last rodeo. I love it here but I can’t keep fixing a home it gets expensive. Wind insurance is a farce they have so many stipulations and excuses for not covering damage. Thank god mine was minimal but it was still in the thousands. I’m just too old for this plus I used to spend time in the Gulf and that’s polluted with runoffs you can’t go in. Flipper is Dead and Florida just isn’t like the good ole days! Not worth it! What came first the chicken or the egg? See did the wind or the water comes first you can bet he’ll say whatever it takes to disqualify you. I’ve been paying wind coverage for 25 years thats a lot of money and I never qualified for one claim. Wind insurance is the biggest rip off in this state nobody qualifies! You just have to be thankful you can fix it and not even haggle with a losing situation! If you have insurance your automatically disqualified for FEMA you can’t win.

[@carmenperez7447]

You are just right, after Andrews State farm left south Florida, now most of the insurance companies will leave Southwest Florida

[@michellebilodeau3882]

What a racket insurance is...

[@crebeccastewart3910]

I am so very sorry for your experience, and agree with you completely. I lived in Northern California in the town of Scotia that experienced historic flooding that devastated the area. It should take only one time for people to understand it is people's lives that are impacted and lost. I am saying a prayer for you now that you find a place you can settle in and find community.

[@starfarah3572]

ABSOLUTELY TOTALLY CORRECTO, BROTHER!

[@ohdee970]

As a carpenter I'll say they DO build homes on barrier islands and they often build them more than once...smh

[@joannemartin3952]

Babcock ranch is high up because they raised the level. They dug out the ponds and cleared out the preserve and wetland. It also helped that they are 25 miles inland.

[@ryanjones1017]

Nailed it, 25 miles in land. Any solid built community that far inland was perfectly fine but that’s not the news agenda.

[@rumblechick73]

And that construction also caused disruption to the way the sheet flow process works. Areas that never had a problem before are suddenly flooded on almost a regular basis. Picture having your home at about 6-10 feet above sea level that doesn't experience rising water from lakes, rivers, high tides, or storm surges. Then build something next door 25 feet above sea level that takes up vast amounts of previously porous land and covers it with asphalt, concrete, etc. All that falling rain now flows downhill into the lower-lying areas and storm surges come up against the resistant area and pools in the artificially created valley. But this program was practically a commercial for the Babcock Ranches' land rape.

[@joannemartin3952]

@@rumblechick73 you are correct.

[@sobeit1166]

@@rumblechick73 When I lived in Arcadia, Babcock Ranch was a working Ranch. Not a subdivision, how sad.

[@jimmyjamsburner6944]

@@rumblechick73 this is not true. By design, flooding in the area has been reduced (especially on 31) because the storm water actually holds more water than it did when it was just cow pastures and quarries. No other area in SWFL kept power on during and after the storm. My family in Alva just got power back two days ago. Places along old bay shore also just got power back a few days ago. All municipal water systems were contaminated…. except at Babcock.

[@carolynlucke3443]

Thank you for providing pictures of the islands. My husband and I discovered the island in 1983 on our 20th anniversary. We returned each year in January for the next 31 years. Celebrated our 50th at the Sanibel Inn. Through the years we have watched so many buildings being built. Appreciated the lack of any building above 4 stories. We always rented at Loggerhead Cay.

[@TheTechnofu]

The insurance guy basically just let the cat out of the bag that insurances are going to avoid paying by arguing whether flood or wind damage are the chicken and the egg instead of giving, even the people who could afford it, what they payed for

[@Bzzzzzzzz535]

Flood takes care of water damage and homeowner covers wind damage

[@brianfl33916]

@@Bzzzzzzzz535 the problem is that when a hurricane makes a hole in someone’s roof it can cause water damage. That’s when the insurance tries to get out of paying. This is also why so many lawsuits against insurance companies get filed in Florida. If they acted in good faith and paid claims they wouldn’t have costly lawsuits.

[@ksytube]

@@brianfl33916 But who will think of the poor shareholders... /s

[@119Agent]

That cat was never in the bag. This has been the case since Hurricane Donna.

[@manuelvpr]

Unfortunately insurers are made of Teflon, nothing sticks to them. The fact is that there is both wind and water damage, which came first is a technicality because both were caused by the hurricane. Insurers must help their customers, these people need help and answers now, not tomorrow, NOW. The government trough Fema must help the homeowners, and the government needs to make insurers accountable, the Insurance Commissioner needs to be tough on them. Homeowners also have to be aware that they have to build better homes, so it means that they have to spend a little bit more to make their homes stronger. Utilities, specially FP&L should learn the lesson and use underground powerlines. Storms are only going to be more frequent and powerful. I remember Andrew, by then it was supposed to be a once in a lifetime event, well, I am still alive and Ian was really larger and stronger. Unfortunately for me I also lived through Irma and Maria, both Cat 5 hurricanes, powerful, deadly and awful, and that was just 5 years ago. There is a pattern in climate change and we have to be better prepared for the next one.

[@murielbaith5445]

440 acres to supply solar power to 5,000 people in Babcock Ranch. That's over 3,833 sq.ft. per person.

[@clickbaitcabaret8208]

I was born & raised in Fort Myers. I lived on Sanibel back in the 90's. I live in Manatee county now. I have friends who lived on Sanibel who lost everything. They were ordinary, middle class people. A lot of people on Sanibel were. It wasn't a playground for the super rich like Monaco. Sure there were wealthy people with winter getaways on Sanibel, but the year round residents, that was all they had. In the backs of every Floridian's mind is the knowledge a hurricane like Ian could destroy everything you have. It's the same for , floods, Tornados, Earthquakes, wildfires, nor’easters or any other potential catastrophe. One has to learn to live with dread as part of life. There's no Edens on earth, just mirages we convince ourselves to be.

[@hoppas77]

Well said!!

[@petesacco3255]

So

[@roxannecomeaux6962]

🎯🎯🎯

[@kennethmadeiras2939]

I guess if this was Ukraine we would have help but no....thanku biden

[@roxannecomeaux6962]

@@kennethmadeiras2939 tax payers dollars has always been placed in foreign hands. For the life of me, I never understood that. I still don't. These trillions of $'s would've fixed all of needs. We need to stand united against Brandon ✌️✌️

[@stefanbraun7427]

I live in fort myers and there are literally metal signs with 9" thick metal posts and the metal posts are bent at a near 45 degree angle from the severe winds. Shows you how powerful the winds were!

[@maxinewest4096]

So horrible when hurricanes mess up anyplace country. Prayers for all these people who went through this hurricane.

[@manuelvpr]

Kudos to the dude that took all those pictures with the drone and with his phone. He is a silent hero. The dude at the Ranch he is a visionary, he should be used to give tips to rebuild Sanibel Island. To me, all those houses should be rebuilt with a strong building code, to withstand more than a 160 mph wind and to be storm surge proof.

[@B_Bodziak]

Storm surge is always going to be an issue on an island just above sea level.

[@Chet_Brinkley]

Now your talking and I believe this may have done it . For YEARS Sanibel/Captiva, Pine Island, Matlache', Boca Grande have been spared any weather events like IAN . There have been close calls and I recall 10 years or so that Punta Gorda got bitten petty hard. Still, nothing like what just occurred. Andrew was the last major hurricane in my lifetime that made a hit of destruction so bad that the effects lasted for many, many years . When I first moved to South West Florida in 1972 things were SO sleepy and laid back that people would fall asleep at a stop sign . Of course the population down there then was 98% retirees . My father was only 54, retired CWO from the USAF, widower, and I was 16 and still in school. Dad was ready to play golf and enjoy his retirement and looking back I certainly don't blame him , but for me it was a different story . Listen to me, I completely wandered away from my original thought which is because of Florida's proximity in the Gulf of Mexico and just north of the Caribbean waters where in late summer the west coast of Africa begins churning out massive low pressure balls of energy that roll right off it's coast headed straight for the Caribbean Islands all the while gaining strength from the warm waters that feed the muscles of those massive bundles of energy . It becomes a crap shoot as to where it's all going to go or end up . But again, there's Florida, one of the sitting ducks . I can bet that insurance on a 4 bdrm. home in Oklahoma City, Witcheta, Kansas or Louisville, Kentucky is WAY less expensive when it comes to flood and storm than anywhere from Jacksonville to Miami, Florida or Tallahassee to Key West, Florida. Check with your trusty insurance agent !

[@michaela7100]

You should see the bill he charges for hopelessness

[@brezxe2932]

@@michaela7100 it’s all voluntary

[@jansmith3158]

The first things you grab before evacuating from a hurricane are all your photo albums, important documents, computer. Do leave things things. Your photo album are priceless...everthing else can be replaced & rebuit.

[@allynmadeiros6867]

Living in North Florida we were spared this destruction it’s probably one of them most sad heartwarming and crazy stories of hurricane Ian Blessings of healing and serenity for those people

[@ejod_who]

My heart goes out to this community, I often, and several times a year, go to this area on long weekends to "get away". In fact, I was riding my e-scooter down every street along Ft. Myers Beach just 3 weeks before Ian hit checking out the houses. That being said....I live about 5 minutes inland from the east coast of Florida and those of us who have decided to live this close to the beaches SHOULD KNOW that it is only a matter of time (even more so now since these storms are more frequent and stronger as of late) that this will happen. WE HAVE to keep in mind that we could lose everything in any given summer. If you can't accept that, move....In recent years, we have had an influx of northerners moving here permanently without considering the consequences. Well, hopefully, they see it now. I have flood insurance and for those who didn't, well, that was a choice. You have a several 6 figure home on the beach and "can't afford" flood insurance....sorry.

[@jorgech11]

Where can I find a 6 figure home in SWFL????? more like 8 now

[@purpleturtle7477]

Flood insurance is a crap shoot, doesn't actually cover much and the wind people fight with the flood people so they can avoid paying out. It is not uncommon for insurance companies to bail out and not pay out in a major catastrophic disaster event such as Ian.

[@leeteplitz7673]

This was a wake up call! Fort Myers beach and Fort Myers is the armpit of Florida. Mobile homes all over and homes not built to code. Hopefully they will learn and build to code.

[@scottdorsey8220]

@@leeteplitz7673 If only this was Mother Nature at work. Geo-engineering is where we should look for answers

[@felixcolon8930]

Here in Ponce Puerto Rico,We have Category 5 Hurraine María, Earthquakes every day, Covid, Hurricane Fiona and People still without Water and Electricity and We still here. Nowhere to go just help each other without Air-conditioning like the Lady said, use a Fan. We suffer more and We still here.

[@kennethwilliams7697]

I have lived in Florida all of my 61 years and I have never lived near the water. But if I did, it would have to be in an eco-friendly planned community like Babcock Ranch, built 25 -30 feet above sea level, with power lines underground, and a mssive solar panel field that withstood the hurricane. Incredible!!

[@joshualieberman2265]

I am thinking that place is not as eco friendly as it sounds. The part where they said they raised the ground kind of defeats the eco-friendly part because inherently that requires complete destruction of the enviroment. I feel all these eco-friendly enterprises look clean and shiny on the outside but have a negative undertone that is not overtly clear.

[@anlu3365]

@@mjmj240 also the winds they briefly showed wasn’t any where close to 150mph winds! What a deceiving piece.

[@micht5162]

@@joshualieberman2265 You are correct. They had to build it up to compensate for the natural sheetflow that occurs when Okeechobee overflows. That whole area has been comprised by greed.

[@dlcchannel8881]

Maybe it's compromise but seem to me that the whole thing still withstands when other places are flat and in the long run what do you think is better

[@mikelliteras397]

Babcock isn’t near the beach.

[@carlitobrigante4999]

I applaud that guy with his own tech company that did that initial assessment using his drones.

[@debrakleid5752]

I live in New Smyrna Beach which is on the east coast of Florida in Volusia County (same county as Daytona Beach). We are about 200 miles from Ft Myers. We got the northeast section of Ian which apparently was the worst part of the storm with the exception of being near the eye of the hurricane as they have even higher wind and rainfall. We lost 5 people in Volusia County thanks to Ian. With us being almost 200 miles away from Ft Myers it really shows you how big and monstrous Ian was. We seemed to always stay in the red and yellow part of the storm on radar and in Volusia we had Ian for at least 48 hours and that’s from start to finish. We got in some places I heard, up to 39 inches of rain. We went through Hurricanes Charley, Francis, and Jean in 2004 and Charley did what Ian did. Was supposed to hit Tampa but made landfall farther south in Charlotte and Lee county. He then went diagonally to the northeast through Orlando and then Volusia or Brevard County. Ian was supposed to hit Tampa and go across but he also chose to land farther south in Charlotte and Lee County and go up Florida in a northeast trajectory. The main difference between Ian and Charley was the fact that Charley was quite a bit smaller but he was also a cat 4 hurricane like Ian however Ian was very close to a cat 5 so I think Ian had higher wind speed than Charley. I’m assuming many people that live in Lee and Charlotte Counties remember Charley because he caused a whole lot of damage. With what Charley did I’m surprised more people didn’t evacuate Sanibel Island and other coastal towns especially with Ian being so big. Even if Ian did hit Tampa and then move across through my county Lee and Charlotte Counties would have still gotten high wind and rain from Ian. In Volusia Ian was far worse than Charley with major flooding and destruction from the high winds. Charley didn’t bring us this much rain. I remember waking up while Ian was still churning outside looking at the pond behind our townhouse. It was more like a lake and across the pond from us are some businesses and they got flooded from our pond and the 24 or more inches of rain we got. There are 3 other ponds in our neighborhood which we love since we get a lot of different wildlife especially with birds like ducks, egrets, blue herons, sandhill cranes, ibises, and so on. One of the other ponds literally merged into the water in the streets. Our street completely flooded and looked like a river you could take an inner tube to and float down the street (river). We had ducks, turtles, and fish as well as kayakers on our street. We lucked out in that the water got to our back door but didn’t come in our home unlike many other homes. Some homes had up to 5 feet of water in my city. With the amount of damage NSB suffered I can only imagine what the damage is in Lee County. Especially Sanibel Island.

[@Handle_Needs_3_Or_More_Charact]

One of the main reasons Charley didn't cause as much flooding was because of how quickly it traveled. It was over the northeast US within a day or two.

[@deelove113]

How are you certain Charlie is a he 🤷🏼

[@debrakleid5752]

@@deelove113 it’s a he. Why? Because Bonnie was before Charley and that’s a female name as is Danielle. Hurricane names alternate between male and female names on the list and Danielle is also female. That means A had to be male as well and his name was was Alex and E was Earl. I’ve lived in Florida half of my life and in HS I did a research paper on hurricanes and it’s common knowledge that the list of names alternate between males and females. They also alternate that letter between male and female names each year. Ian is a male so next year I will be a female name and that is Idalia and then 2024 will go back to a male I which is Isaac. You can check me if you would like but that’s what they do. If a hurricane makes landfall with enough destruction and fatalities they will retire that name. I’m sure Charley is now retired as is Ian so they have to find a new C and a new I for those two. They recycle the names every 6 years. Debby is in 2024. If she kills enough and is destructive enough she will be retired and if she is a minor hurricane or tropical storm that hits land they will re use that name in 2030

[@deelove113]

@@debrakleid5752 ohh ok thanks. I was told they looked down the eye of the storm and check to see the gender of each tropical cyclone like I actually believed they had some sort of sexual indication that enter them into the database and the weather reporters agree on naming each storm 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@debrakleid5752]

@@deelove113 and the hurricane names are decided upon years in advance especially when they are recycled every 6 years. When one gets retired they replace it. I saw a list of names for the 2027 hurricane season already.

[@mountainmandale1587]

No air conditioning. Oh my goodness. Welcome to reality! Rich people have no idea what the rest of us are going through.

[@samcalven12]

True those people on the island have comfortable homes and they have the money. Imagine the less fortunate people losing everything

[@captraykelly]

Great reporting. God bless all the victims, their families and those that suffered damage.

[@annewilliams8221]

pffff...are you kidding

[@vicgodsucks1157]

*The same gawd that bless them with the hurricane?!* 🤔

[@kathleenvecchioni696]

I'd say it was Mother Nature, not Gawd 🙄🤔

[@cornell833]

@@kathleenvecchioni696 facts 💯

[@MrJaybird3316]

Her comment "where are we" is very visceral. After Cat 5 Hurricane Michael, I didn't recognize the roads and town I lived in for close to 50 years.

[@georganna7200]

I lived in Cape Coral and worked in Sanibel. The footage I have seen has really broken my heart and brought me to tears. They may recover one day materially but emotionally the toll may never heal. I am so sorry this happened to them. Once I told someone I would love to have lived on Sanibel or Captiva. They said no because when storms came through it felt like your home was being torn from the foundation. This was an entirely different level. I crossed the bridge so many times, it always felt special. God bless these folks.

[@vicgodsucks1157]

*The same gawd that bless them with the hurricane!?* 🤔

[@eaw7456]

God just watched the destruction while eating popcorn during the hurricane.

[@skippingrhyme4386]

They are all rich I haven't shed a tear now other communities who lost literally everything they have, not a vacation home My heart Breaks. They don't have money to rebuild.

[@georganna7200]

@@skippingrhyme4386 Most folks are year round hard working people. Not rich. I certainly wasn't, just regular folks.

[@newerafrican]

Our family has vacationed on Sanibel almost every year since the early 1980's. We were just there last February. Little did I know that was the last time I would see that beautiful island intact. I can't imagine the losses for the people who live and work there. My heart and my prayers go out to you all. Stay strong.

[@cornell833]

Can't forget we live on mother nature 🌊 land 🏝 isn't safe

[@futbesnake5438]

Stop building in vulnerable spots.

[@fahrenheit2530]

I visited the Keys about a month before Ian struck, and it was one of the most beautiful places I'd ever been to. Much of it, including the place my friends and I stayed at, was completely destroyed. My area was hit by Ian, but the damage was mainly limited to wooded areas.

[@jbar_85]

The Florida Keys were not struck. SW Florida area was.

[@fahrenheit2530]

@@jbar_85 Ian passed over the Keys en route to Fort Myers.

[@fahrenheit2530]

@@RM360CR part of what made my trip to keys so fun was being able to visit all the towns and travel on roads that made it easy for people to visit. I really liked seeing the tractor trailers at work down in the Keys, the trucks down there are stunning.

[@FaithwalkerTodd]

@@fahrenheit2530 no, it didn’t.

[@BillySBC]

Florida is a temporary place to stay, it is not meant to build permanent homes and neighborhoods and cities in. The whole idea of developing Florida like any other place on the mainland is and was ridiculous from the very beginning.

[@jonathansheats3583]

The wise man built his house on a rock. The rain came down and his house stood strong. The foolish man built his house on the sand. The rain came down and the house fell flat.

[@deelove113]

This is not the time for lullabies 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@jonathansheats3583]

@@deelove113 I'm sorry that you mistake wisdom for lullabies.

[@bigjohn2810]

But You sound like Babylon Bee, Go back to twitter

[@eclipse369.]

The wiser man built his house of the rock.

[@jonathansheats3583]

@@eclipse369. you know when I originally saw your comment I thought it was a typo. I just realized it wasn't and it is actually 100% accurate. 👍

[@keepcharlottecountygreen150]

I know it's hard. I live in Charlotte County, which was also hit hard by Ian. My house is more inland and is completely liveable. But it's time for us to realize, the barrier islands need to go back to be the buffers they were intended to be. It's time to restore the wetlands. Of course, the tourism and real estate industry doesn't want to hear this, nor will they allow it to happen.

[@elizabethallen4353]

💯💯

[@Cynthiab59]

So very sad about all loss. May you feel comfort as you travel the ride of recovery and change. Is it time we listen to what we're doing to our climate and realize the joys of beachfront property may be something of the past? The tech experience you've offered is breathtaking. Thank you for your helping these hopeless homeowners relieve some of the anxiety of not knowing.

[@paulwallace4408]

Hi Cynthia

[@prodigiii712]

Hurricanes have always existed.

[@dahottestyet]

Incredible footage.

[@dianewomble527]

I live in Central Florida and these storms cause a lot of damage. The insurance premiums have to be high to cover a catastrophic loss; the only way around it is to build a home that can stand up to a large hurricane on the coast or inland.

[@dianewomble527]

@@RM360CR Since 2001 Florida building code has become more stringent. Many of these homes were built before 2001. Still Florida needs even stricter codes but then few will be able to afford to build a home.

[@brie3679]

So bizarre seeing something I lived through being such massive news. This hurricane truly was like no other anyone here has ever experienced….

[@justinmorrison3219]

That is so freaking cool to design a whole basically town to withstand a category four Hurricane I think that's amazing. I always thought that was the future of places like Florida and New Orleans you can't live that close to the sea without being elevated like that. That is definitely the future I don't even know if the people of Sanibel Island can even go back there without that kind of engineering so this won't happen again.

[@randomvideosn0where]

Or at the very least they need to build with concrete not wood composite materials. WTF were they thinking!

[@rnvrnv354]

Yeah, they had it easy! They just took over an old rinky dink town that mother nature took over!

[@kenroot5682]

Babcock Ranch didn’t get the same battering.

[@pincushionllama]

@@randomvideosn0whereA lot of the housing was older. so it was to specs older than Hurr. Charlie. Thats why

[@marianneacuna757]

It’s also inland!

[@brianchrisman4331]

Big difference from somewhere over 30 miles inland vs Sanibel on the coast. Love that the panels held up. Wish FL wld install more buried lines and fix our insurance debacle

[@Pou1gie1]

They should turn Sanibel Island into a preserve and ask everyone to leave the island. Humans need to reestablish nature by replanting native plants and bringing back native species. Everyone needs to build above sea level and at least 15 feet or more. People need to rethink how we build and where we build.

[@coolmtnman1]

exactly

[@ceekaacee1]

Do you really think that's going to happen? Did people move out of New Orleans and have it turned into a National Park???

[@ramonmoreno8014]

@@ceekaacee1 They weren't saved, either; they were policed.

[@ceekaacee1]

@@ramonmoreno8014 wth does that mean.

[@ramonmoreno8014]

@@ceekaacee1 I remember Katrina

[@princesspiplaysbass]

Don't build on barrier islands.

[@moonbeamer4468]

If it’s bad enough, being on a barrier island doesn’t matter as we are seeing.

[@DeezBallzz]

Hope puerto rico recovers

[@ShardsOfNarsil]

Right. 60 minutes seems to care mostly for wealthy Democrats. The Martha's Vineyard crowd.

[@debrakleid5752]

@@ShardsOfNarsil next time a hurricane flattens a republican area I’m willing to bet that that area will get the same amount of coverage. Come on already. Why do you have to make this all political?

[@lotto88lot]

🙏🙏🙏

[@ceekaacee1]

@@ShardsOfNarsil apparently, you don't know that Florida is a Red State

[@ceekaacee1]

Maybe they should get rid of their corrupt government. BTW, you live on an island too

[@deedeebattle2522]

Let’s give credit to excellent eco-planning. It was a town engineered to withstand storm events 👍

[@CORZER0]

By a private individual, not a government.

[@edjeep]

@@CORZER0 i guess it takes the government a hundred years or so to figure things out,

[@CORZER0]

@@edjeep They never figure it out, they only manipulate for their own self-interests at tax base expense by threat of violence and death.

[@VINCI52]

@@CORZER0 When you build you have to follow government codes.

[@blacksquirrel4008]

@@CORZER0 BS. Building codes are fought by every developer, if they had their way they’d be clearing the way for new houses now.

[@24299]

Thanks for making this.

[@allynmadeiros6867]

Babcock Ranch I never even heard of it thank you 60 minutes what a great episode I thoroughly enjoyed it

[@hildeschmid8400]

I live in north Florida, having moved from Ft.Lauderdale area 16 years ago. My heart goes out to all my Florida brothers and sisters who went through Ian. I met a man from Sanibel Island who lived there for 25 years, and he told me he's throwing in the towel and moving back north. I believe there will be many people not going back. $10,000 a year insurance and $10,000 deductible is unaffordable for many.

[@suelyons531]

Homes on Sanibel average at 1.3 million. If you can't afford 10k a year for insurance, you shouldn't live there. Pretty simple really.

[@rinaassouline676]

PURE HIGHWAY CAPITALISTIC ROBBERY...THE DEVIL IS DEFINITELY LOOSE...G_ D TURNED HIS BACK...

[@suelyons531]

@@rinaassouline676 here we go with the “devil” GOP trop. F off.

[@michaelangelos5117]

I lost everything years ago and never have recovered. Still living in my car and I own my dog or he owns me. This is just like a replay of my own life when you lose everything that's important to you. At least they still have their family.

[@pfrstreetgang7511]

I really appreciate you interviewing the gentleman about having to navigate the deliberate obstacles engineered by insurance companies of wind vs water damage. It's the most prevalent concern in every homeowners mind when a hurricane is heading their way. It's not praying you won't loose your house.....it's praying you won't have to go through years of trauma getting these companies to provide you with means to recover what was lost.

[@davidgray1515]

People in Floriduh are causing the insurance company to go broke and taxpayers in the North are getting tired of bailing them out.

[@HeavyMetal45]

How bad can you feel at the end of the day? Sure it’s horrible but these people wanted to live in paradise and knew the risks. It happens every year

[@michaelderenne9838]

Exactly what I say every year. People just don't learn

[@thepamela050]

Thank you someone on here that makes sense...They know there are risk living that close to the water..I don't know why they always seemed so shocked.

[@dfinlen]

32 Cat 4 or higher have made land fall in the us since 1851. Every year ?? No.

[@thepamela050]

@@dfinlen no but it's a gamble cause you don't know when it will show up again.

[@cherryfireice8216]

I don't. Barrier islands never should have been built on. Sure isn't a paradise for the manatees that starved to death because Florida can't be bothered to put in a good sewer system, or the decimated reefs. I'd like to go to the coast without seeing your Mcmansion spoiling the view or not have to worry about E coli or blue green algae. If natural barriers and wetlands had been left in place there wouldn't be this polluted mess that all taxpayers will be paying for. Just so someone could have a water view of a polluted canal.

[@Sunny25611]

Such a travesty! I recently lost my home but not through a devastating weather storm- I’m so sorry for your losses Florida! I’m keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers . . 💔

[@kathleenvecchioni696]

Thank you❤

[@8twospiders]

A tragedy, certainly. A TRAVESTY, it is not. What did you say your first language was?

[@SerPurple51]

Sanibel should have never been developed. It should have remained a wildlife refuge. But the rich people decided a tiny little island would be perfect for their vacation homes...

[@grantcanty7294]

as someone originally from the midwest but now by the rockies, it's crazy to me that people live in costal places like this where you could lose everything you own any day. hope for a speedy recovery

[@michaelsaier92]

it's crazy to me that people live in places like the Midwest where you could lose everything you own any day from a tornado or hurricane

[@dustinabc]

It's crazy to me people live in (name anywhere), where you could lose everything you own any day from a natural disaster.

[@robertryan2400]

or from a mountain fire and mud slide

[@crazychase98]

@@michaelsaier92 Don't you get tornadoes in Hurricane. Lol

[@mikelliteras397]

@@crazychase98 What does that matter.

[@mandomtn1962]

All very sad. Can't imagine if you lived on Sanibel or Ft Myers or Arcadia and you had nothing in your bank account or insurance or any way to rebuild. God bless.

[@jimmyjamsburner6944]

Lots of retirees in this position

[@ramonmoreno8014]

@@jimmyjamsburner6944 lol try being a worker

[@s.rosesmith6525]

The city of Ft Myers where regular people live is being ignored. If you live on the water you can expect really bad damage. The city of Ft myers is devastated. No one seems to care.

[@scott9593]

It is amazing how the super wealthy areas get all the attention

[@ramonmoreno8014]

Sanibel was rebuilt pronto and are already back to their douchy golf cart ways.

[@chrisanderson7984]

Love Sanibel Island. It’s so beautiful

[@aliciabr7317]

How you build matters. I'm not surprised the home on the beach had that kind of damage. Prayers for all affected and mostly for those that passed.

[@eaw7456]

Farting is more productive than prayer.

[@aliciabr7317]

@@eaw7456 only if it's a shart

[@aliciabr7317]

@@eaw7456how do you know prayers aren't helpful? Maybe it depends on what you pray for. Maybe I prayed that they never rebuild on those barrier islands. Does that count?

[@eaw7456]

@@aliciabr7317 prayers are a form of meditation. It can be therapeutic for those who feel hopeless by giving people a sense of doing something to help while in reality they're trying to absolve feelings of guilt for being incapable of helping in a meaningful way other than offering moral support.

[@eaw7456]

It's always baffling when people pray to a god that knew a disaster, crime or tragedy was going to happen after the fact without realizing that same god stood by and watched the event unfold but didn't intervene.

[@GLN14659]

Brilliant coverage and proof America is strong as everyone uses their gift, talents and technology to help where they can to help those affected by this storm Ian. Much has been lost and much more must be learned to prevent again if possible given climate changes. Redesign homes and make them shelters also! The current systems are antiquated.

[@Bulldog-hu8qn]

The folks who said they probably won't return to Sanibel will only be replaced by someone else who will most likely get hit by another hurricane. The definition of insanity. The folks at Babcock Ranch got it right by not living on the beach and building at a higher sea level.

[@holliepowell6100]

Great presentation! Very well done.

[@buffybrown1619]

You know, two families were first on Sanibel: Baileys and Woodrings. They have lived through and survived many hurricanes.

[@dpa-deafparanormaladventur8987]

It’s getting WORSE, as the residences says. They had NEVER seen it this BAD.

[@tommyt1971]

The mud they walked thru probably isn’t just slippery, it’s probably teaming with bacteria and other filth. What a damn shame. I’ve been to Ft Myers & both Captive & Sanibel a couple of times. It was a beautiful beach.

[@ShardsOfNarsil]

As it shall be again. Maybe with less wealthy snowbirds.

[@karenmclean3520]

we rent a house at cape coral every year for vacation i love that entire area

[@annewilliams8221]

all of ft myers should be removed

[@mountainman3196]

Poo

[@KrisMIW91]

@@annewilliams8221 No

[@GearsDatPowerDaTubes]

Ben Franklin gets it: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"

[@R2D2C_3po]

It’s been estimated that only about 20% of the damages from the epic flooding and storm surge of Hurricane Ian is actually insured damage. Only about 20% of the Floridians who have been flooded out by storm surge and rainfall flooding caused by Hurricane Ian in Florida had flood insurance. That means that about 80% of the people who got flooded in Florida are probably financially ruined, and will likely go completely bankrupt! Homeowner’s insurance and standard business insurance doesn’t cover any kind of flood damage at all. Most people can’t afford the cost to rebuild their home or business out of pocket, while still having to pay a mortgage on a now destroyed or heavily damaged home or business. We’re talking about absolutely epic levels of financial ruin caused by this hurricane throughout a huge expanse of Florida, due to a lack of flood insurance on a home or a business. The financial damage to Florida from this hurricane in an already weak economy has been absolutely catastrophic! It’s like dropping a hydrogen bomb on Florida financially and economically. This hurricane will likely spell an end to the recent boom in growth in Florida for many years to come. People in other states who were thinking about moving to Florida are going to think again after seeing all this destruction by a monster hurricane, and all the financial ruin caused by this hurricane.

[@Bzzzzzzzz535]

I would think if they were paying a mortgage, they would have mandatory flood insurance.

[@rumblechick73]

@@Bzzzzzzzz535 Flood insurance is only required in certain areas. The storm surge from this was far beyond the "normal" flood zones. This storm came from the absolute worst direction, during the worst time of time (high tide) and the forward speed decreased significantly causing the surge to go on for much longer than anyone predicted. Kind of like that movie The Perfect Storm.

[@intheknow7659]

Back when Michael hit, roughly 13k+ left that area, but came back since. People will forget in time. It is a risk living down there, many never thought of the risk with warm weather, etc. But as far as insurance, many insured may not get squat. I knew of some with Irma, they got nothing at all.

[@ThisGuy0186]

Babcock is a cool city but the reason it did well in the storm was it didn’t get a direct hit, and unlike every area around them every building out there is less than 5 years old

[@glenneglington2325]

There are some places in nature where man should not live

[@randymullins3555]

Trust me that didn't have 150mph gusts of wind because those solar panels and much, much more would've been GONE!

[@lisachavez1352]

I feel so bad for these families. They've lost almost everything. We in Calif are faced with earthquakes and fires. But at least we can get out of the way of those mostly! I offer prayers and send blessings to all!

[@deelove113]

Send funds while your at it. Thanks 😊

[@andrearenee7845]

11 days, and you can bet the shock will last so much longer. This was heartbreaking to watch, and afterwards was crushing to see people who have lost everything. The township that survived building a sustainable homestead should be mandatory if you have to live on the coasts. All three of them. Thank you 60 minutes for keeping this story alive. It should be a constant... Mainstream media seems to. have forgotten. That is a disgrace. Insurance co. make things difficult for a reason. That should be regulated as well.

[@Allen-mc4bq]

Then you should take this as a warning and stay off the barrier Islands because it will happen again.

[@vicki8169]

@@Allen-mc4bq it wasn’t just barrier islands it also did some heavy damage inland.

[@Allen-mc4bq]

@@vicki8169 yes Vicki I understand.. I'm a 4th generation native Floridan and I just don't think they should take the chance with their lives like that.. they should make all the barrier islands parks instead of for the wealthy.

[@sookie4195]

Everyone that has insurance through these companies have to pay more and more for insurance because of these disasters. People should not be allowed to build in these areas.

[@daren5666]

@@Allen-mc4bq MARYLANDER here! I totally agree with you! Florida Republicans HATE rules & regulations ! Maryland , a BlUE state has many rules & regulations! We have a Barrier Island, Assateague Island. NO developers are permitted to build on our Barrier Island! It is a State of Maryland Seashore and National park! Only camping is permitted on Maryland's Barrier Island! Just saying! 🤔🌊🌅🌊⛱️🐬⚓⛵⚓🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀

[@stephenlynn98]

With all due respect and sympathy, if you live in a hurricane/flood prone area, and you don’t have your family pictures and heirlooms protected offsite or easily packed for when you evacuate, I don’t know what to make of that.

[@Lexxie45]

I was thinking if I lived in a place like that, I would have every single picture and document scanned and stored on the cloud and on external hard drives that can be unplugged and taken at a second's notice. Also I would probably have just the bare minimum at the house, including appliances, clothes, electronics, definitely no expensive furniture. Living on the beach must be beautiful and 99.99 % of the time you are deliriously happy being there. But that tiny little chance a hurricane could wipe that away is not worth it for me. I would rather live inland in a very sturdy house with a pool of my own and drive to the beach and spend a few days here and there when the mood strikes. I don't know what is the big attraction for humans to live near water and to want to stare at it all the time. Almost as if it's in our DNA.

[@saywhat951]

Its called low IQ. Funny how these all hug and console each other...like a bunch of babies whom need their diapers changed but mom's not around wandering aimlessly in circles, rather comical. Well, when Arizona has Ocean Front Property, when, not if, the BIG one hits California, you're gonna see the same mindless expressions on their faces. You all knew it was possible, you all knew it was coming, you all should have taken your blinders off.

[@eclipse369.]

Denial

[@saywhat951]

@@eclipse369. yes denial I agree. My Uncle lived in Tampa all his life, I often when visiting him wife kids friends I would ask if they were not concerned or fearful of a Cat 5 Hurricane or even less wiping out everything... His and his wife's reply was " WE DON'T TALK ABOUT THINGS LIKE THAT AROUND HERE, WE ENJOY OUR LIVES " I felt sad that such educated people could be ignorant to the blatant reality they are in harms way.....felt sorry for them.

[@bluntfoster]

It's very sad, I used to work on all the barrier islands. But like I've always said, no one should ever live on our islands. We spend so much money every year on beach reclamation and dredging, just so these people can't keep there home, while destroying our marine life.

[@wontbefooledagain9400]

I agree, should be parks and recreation. Don’t nobody need to live out there.

[@lynnhino2625]

we can say the same thing about those fools in California that build their homes and rebuild their homes in high fire areas and mud slides .... they should not be able to live where they want .... maybe each state should have a centralized living quarters .... run by government and you dont own anything... sad world it would be

[@honestytoafault]

So true!

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

@@wontbefooledagain9400 I’ve always said that the barrier islands should have been a national park.😊

[@ceekaacee1]

@@wontbefooledagain9400 it really isn't OUT THERE, Jeez

[@SuperMan-xy8ui]

Nicely produced. My uncle was a direct hit from 2005 Hurricane Katrina, his new waterfront house was elevated 17 feet on steel I-beams so no flood insurance, built to hurricane code of that time. His neighbor’s 1930’s house floated off its foundation and into my uncle’s pilings, destroying my uncle’s home in the process. It took my uncle 3 years to settle with the insurance company, each year a different agent was assigned to his case and wanted to take their own photos, after the 2nd year my uncle began demolition and rebuilding, the 3rd agent threw a fit about it because he couldn’t take his own photos.

[@NCWildHeART]

Prayers for my love of my life who is down there helping reconstruction of Ft Myers Area!! I Love you honey I can’t wait to hear from you again and when you get home!

[@thepamela050]

Maybe moving to Florida from all those Northern states wasn't really worth it..The grass isn't always greener on the other side..I for the life of me can't understand why those that chose to live on an island, close to the water aren't well aware of the risks..They always seemed so shocked though time and time again Hurricanes have damaged so many parts of Florida..

[@rockinrican85]

Every area has its own natural disasters. I lived in Alabama when the tornadoes hit in 2011, lived in Illinois growing up and we had tornadoes and horrible ice storms. I will take Florida, and the hurricanes, because the ocean is my therapy.

[@keithbrown8814]

@@rockinrican85 Michigan doesn't have catastrophic events (occasional tornado)....just 7/8 months of winter...which is why no one wants to live here!!!

[@ellengrace4609]

@@rockinrican85 Right! It’s disturbing how much self-righteous judgment I’m seeing in response to this disaster, one of the worst natural disasters I’ve seen in my lifetime. Winter is coming. Should we self-righteously blame people for choosing to live in Wisconsin, Michigan, etc, when the ice storms and blizzards hit and they lose power and people freeze to death? At least there are still some compassionate people to balance out this callousness.

[@honestytoafault]

I totally agree. They are always so shocked. Did Katrina teach them anything?

[@ellengrace4609]

@@honestytoafault No, you’re confused. They aren’t shocked, they’re IN shock, as most humans are when they are so intimately impacted by such a devastating natural disaster. Shocked vs in shock. There’s a difference.

[@theloneranger8597]

I was born and raised here in Florida , it's a chance you take every year living here . If you know this already there's no room for crying . All we can do is rebuild , and move forward . God bless the families that lost loved ones .

[@jorgech11]

My family has lived in SWFL for almost 3 decades now, and what you say is somewhat true. Hurricanes are a given in FL. However I've never seen a hurricane hit this hard. The amount of destruction and loss of life are unlike anything I've personally witness in my 27 years of living here.

[@vicgodsucks1157]

*The same gawd that allow the hurricane!?*

[@terephelps1629]

Thank you for using you app to help people

[@terephelps1629]

I am so sorry. We went though hurricane Ike and it destroyed everything. Peoples boats and houses were on interstate 45. On the east Side of the island the houses were completely gone except for one house that had been built according to hurricane standards and one couple stayed or one couple that we know about stayed with their dogs and they were told to write their Social Security net number on their arm because they would not find their bodies and if they did get lucky enough to find the bodies they needed to be able to identify them. My son and his family and his wife’s family all lived on the island I beg my son to bring his family and his grandmother or wife’s grandmother and grandpa with them and come 80 miles to where I was staying with my mother and taking care of her. The grandmother and the grandpa had stayed on the island for mini hurricanes they almost we’re not gonna go and my son and his family we’re not gonna leave until I asked him to look at the surge that has come with the hurricane all the way crossed and then make your decision because the island will go underwater. But the storm had done so much damage that even 80 miles away we had no electricity for seven days no water for seven days and we had 11 people at our house. but I praise God every day for the people that did leave and get out of there and my heart is still sad by the people who stayed on the west end of that island to never be seen again. So my heart goes out to the people on the silent and the people that suffered without any morning I am praying for them I am praying that somebody will come through and help them at least get back on their feet. I am praying that as many people love Florida and have money will see that the money gets to the right people in the right places to accomplish this because there are many people with their hands sticking out that are the wrong people.. Heavenly father we lift everyone up that has gone through the storm that has been damaged that has nothing left. Father we pray for your anointed Holy Spirit to be with them to comfort them to give them strength in this difficult time we love you we praise you we pray that your son Christ Jesus name amen and amen

[@GettingToHeaven]

Very good coverage. Thanks!

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

I hate that this happened. I have always believed that the barrier islands should have been a national park, not a human residence. I can’t remember anything being this bad in my last 32 years here.

[@paulwallace4408]

Hi Nicckie

[@shivanj1]

Best thing to do for them is get them a U-Haul. So they can move out of state. That island is back to nature now it should be left that way. No more people living there.

[@jackbeedle2956]

Truly paradise lost our condolences from Minnesota

[@deelove113]

We don't need your condolence we need your financial assistance please thank you in advance 😊

[@cmccall1272]

This is really good. Hope you get it & watch.

[@ahanna4396]

This story is letting all us know that no one is exempt from being homeless. It doesn't matter how much money you have in the bank.

[@gamtngirl3655]

I look at that island and all I can think is, “why would anybody live there?” It is a recipe for eventual disaster.

[@JoDeeJ0D]

There is something so warm about the host of this segment of 60 minutes. He reminds me of a concerned uncle I have.. lol

[@sandylipscomb7003]

AMAZING‼️

[@alicekepler4030]

I feel for you people in Florida I was married on Sanibel Island had brunch on Captiva Island I was married at song of the Sea and we stayed at the Sanibel inn after we were married we walked on the beach wrote in The Sand just married I hope and pray for all of you that he will keep you strong and things will get done through your governor God bless you all and keep you safe and healthy and give you the strength the wisdom and knowledge to get you through

[@luannpatterson5888]

At least the new construction will be up to code & much less likely to suffer catastrophic damage.

[@Bzzzzzzzz535]

No construction can hold up to that type of hurricane. Sorry.

[@luannpatterson5888]

@Soul Shine- kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6Cuk5-rZ8tojsk This one did.

[@Ava_Orchid]

Im on the East coast and from what I heard a lot of people used that drone footage to decide whether to go back immediately or wait for a while in the places where they evacuated to. Which is super helpful when you ahve entire neighborhoods evac so no one is there to say yeah its safe to come home etc

[@quintinfink12]

We got lucky in st. pete. rest in peace to everyone this is truly heartbreaking

[@deelove113]

Everyone?😳 Wtf

[@Chet_Brinkley]

I lived and went to high school in Charlotte County, just 15 miles or so north of Lee County, Florida and knew Sanibel/Captiva pretty well, I very much appreciated the natural beauty there . However when people with means feel that they should take up occupancy on a barrier island and then a natural disaster comes along and wipes them out I find it difficult to feel so sorry for them when they are crying and can't believe what happened knowing full well that by setting up residence there they subjected themselves to exactly what happened to them .

[@ellengrace4609]

I have no problem feeling sorry for them. I find it disheartening that so many people express what you do, that because they have money and chose to live on a beautiful tropical island they don’t deserve sympathy. Yet when natural disasters happen to poor people who live on beautiful tropical islands people do feel sympathy, as they should. Why should rich people not receive the same humanity and compassion simply because they are rich?

[@lg6758]

Yes Ellen, because they are rich.

[@DdbxXy]

@@ellengrace4609 , Sympathy ? In Donald Trump's America ? Really ? Who did Florida vote for ? You hate other Americans, so much that you voted for Donald Trump. You continued endless Climate Change Denial for decades. Now you want sympathy from the people you hate ? Ron DeSantis voted against Federal Aid for New York and New Jersey after Super Storm Sandy, because New York and New Jersey, elect a lot of Democrats. your turn

[@Chet_Brinkley]

@@lg6758 Damn it man, if people are wise enough and fortunate enough to have the ability to afford a life in paradise you might think that when the obvious happens they wouldn't be so freaked out about it !

[@loadedfun4764]

If by chance you thought it was expensive to get onto the island last month just wait and see what it cost now.

[@thackett7165]

It looks like it was a gorgeous home 🏡

[@johnnygizmo4733]

Bravo reporting

[@DjWesRolan]

My brother got his house destroyed by Hurricane Michael. Paid for insurance only to have the insurance company declared bankruptcy. All that money paid for nothing.

[@StormChasingNetwork]

I was in the eye filming this storm it was intense! I knew it was going to be bad prayers 🙏

[@heidefarmarco8752]

Great report we can all learn from.

[@Uneedhelp91]

Babcock ranch didn't get hit with the same strom that Sanibel, Boca Grande and fort Myers Beach got. The Strom was a high cat 3 when it hit Babcock Ranch. When the storm hit the coastal areas, it was 5-10mph (gust/sustained) away from being a cat 5. Just wanted to add that.

[@deelove113]

Not true the winds were measured.

[@ramonmoreno8014]

@@deelove113 What's your angle in all this?

[@tebollenbacher]

That's why you dont live on the beach.

[@JessicaMcNally]

Honestly all beaches should just be public access spaces with just a few businesses and hotels/campgrounds in each area to accommodate visitors.

[@buffybrown1619]

Babcock ranch - a natural preserve turned into an enclave of rich people.

[@sandradavis368]

This just 💔 heartbreaking!

[@klutzycutie]

I live in central Florida. The winds weren’t as bad but the rain….I’ve never had to worry about flooding til Ian. When Ian was coming closer I looked in my backyard and started seeing waves and it was beginning to flood had. Thankfully never got inside and didn’t flood in my front yard but never had this bad of flooding ever.

[@diannadima7082]

Our coastal regions will change in a major way.