Effects of Hurricane Ian in Sarasota, Florida – Photo: Sean Rayford/Getty Images
Images captured in Fort Myers show an apocalyptic panorama in that area due to Hurricane Ian’s strong winds and rains.
The video that went public Wednesday shows the fury of the system over the area.
Shattered infrastructure floating and water-covered structures are featured in the footage, which Storyful reported.
Another time-lapse video shows the storm surge overflowing the city’s streets, considered the gateway to southwest Florida.
The hurricane landed at about 3 p.m. yesterday, 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Punta Gorda and 95 miles (150 km) south of Orlando, with winds of 125 mph.
Search, and rescue teams are mobilizing Thursday to respond to emergency calls, some from residents trapped in their homes.
More on Hurricane Ian:
- Tornado destroyed 15 aircraft in Florida before the arrival of Hurricane Ian
- More than 5,000 flights were canceled in the United States due to the passage of Hurricane Ian
- Video: Reporter is hit by a tree branch during a live report of Hurricane Ian
Ian was downgraded to a tropical storm with 65 mph winds this morning, and the storm’s center was 40 miles southeast of Orlando at 5 a.m. ET, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) report.
Authorities in Fort Myers imposed a curfew last night at 6 p.m. that will last 48 hours.
Fort Myers in central Lee County has about 83,000 residents.