Hurricane Ian’s destructive path through southwest Florida has left tens of thousands of people without a home. Confronted with more frequent and powerful storms due to climate change, entire communities across Florida are unprepared to deal with major hurricanes and many Hurricane Ian survivors remain displaced to this day. The federal government has provided housing assistance to more than 55,000 households, according to FEMA statistics, hinting at the scope of the problem, though the true number of people living without housing remains unclear.
Cars and trucks are stopped along southbound Interstate 75 in North Port, Fla. when the road flooded days after Hurricane Ian passed through the area. The stoppage snagged supply trucks trying to help hard hit areas as well as residents who fled the storm trying to make their way back home to assess damage.
John and Kate Gauntt and their family of 10 have dinner inside their heavily damaged home in Fort Myers Beach, Fla. nearly three months after the story made landfall. The home has been stripped down to the studs due to water damage and mold proliferation. The family spends most of its time outside or in a trailer parked in their driveway - with the exception being sitting down for dinner in the damaged house.
Sisters Eden Rogers, 5, left, and Avery Rogers, 9, play on a downed palm tree in front of their family’s home in Fort Myers, Fla. on October 8, 2022. The family is staying out of the home a week after the storm and for the foreseeable future while major repairs are made due to flooding and mold.
What looks like a river of water sits on Highway 72 in Arcadia, Fla. near the Peace River, cutting off dozens of families from getting to their homes. The extent to the flooding in this area caught many off guard since it's not a coastal town, situated inland many miles from the coast of Florida.
A prayer circle at the Gladiolus Food Pantry in the town of Harlem Heights in Fort Myers, Fla., an underserved community with massive flooding in the wake of Hurricane Ian.
Jaikobie Garcia, 4, is held by his mother Ana Garcia outside the Hertz Arena in Estero, Fla. on October 8, 2022. The ice hockey arena was used as a shelter for those displaced by Hurricane Ian and the Garcia's completely lost their home to flooding.
A pile of shrimping vessels at the marina on San Carlos Island in Fort Myers Beach, Fla. one month after Hurricane Ian ravaged the area. Shrimpers are used to working 30 days at a time at sea but have largely been out of work since the storm.
Rosemonde Justin, left, and Wilson Milice pick up water from a Florida Army National Guard supply location in Arcadia, Fla. Residents here went without power or drinkable water for an extended period of time.
Pat Heiland, 80, who rode out the storm at her home in hard hit Sanibel Island, Fla., is seen at Hertz Arena in Estero Fla. Heiland told first responders after the storm she wouldn't leave her home unless she could bring her parrot “Will”.
Workers clear a lot on Fort Myers Beach, Fla. one evening nearly three months after Hurricane Ian ravaged the area. Homes on the barrier island will be rebuilt bigger and stronger for the inevitable next major hurricane.