Minnesotans prepare to help Floridians as Hurricane Idalia gains strength
Hurricane Idalia is forecasted to become an extremely dangerous Category 3 storm, packing winds up to 120 mph.
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Hurricane Idalia is forecasted to become an extremely dangerous Category 3 storm, packing winds up to 120 mph.
Minnesotans heading south for Spring Break may come across neighborhoods that are still trying to recover from the storm. It's a recovery that could take years.
The Minnesota Twins start Spring Training in two and a half weeks in Fort Myers, Florida. But unlike past years, much of the area is still rebuilding after Hurricane Ian.
"There's still debris, there's still trees piled up on the side of the highways," said Twins pitcher Chris Paddack. "You're always seeing semi-trucks with palm trees or trash or whatever it might be."
The Minnesota Twins start Spring Training on Feb. 15 in Fort Myers, Florida where the effects of Hurricane Ian are still being felt. Ian hit Southwest Florida four months ago. The recovery is still ongoing.
Residents in at least four Florida counties were ordered to evacuate from barrier islands, low-lying areas and mobile homes.
A Minnesota woman curated a wish list to meet the specific needs of individuals in Fort Myers beach. And some of the needs may not be what you expect. WCCO's Marielle Mohs explains how you can help.
Many Minnesotans call Fort Myers home. One woman we've met is doing her part to get direct help to those in need.
"Having these [Polaris UTVs] gives us the ability to drive over things that we normally couldn't," Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said. "That search-rescue-recovery, which is very critical, [the vehicles] are critical to our success."
Volunteers from non-profits like the Salvation Army and American Red Cross are now returning home after a two-week deployment in Florida. But the work there is far from over.
Lee County, which encompasses Fort Myers, has recorded an "abnormal increase" in cases as a result of flooding from the storm.
A Minnesota family that recently relocated to Fort Myers is surveying the damage caused by Hurricane Ian.
Many residents still lack food, running water and electricity in the storm's aftermath.
Paul Braun and his wife Barb were staying at a friend's condo on the 33rd floor of a Fort Myers building - which gave them a bird's eye view of the fury and a first-hand feel for the wind.
These Floridians dedicated years to building their dream homes in Port Charlotte and Key West. Now, one family's roof was ripped off "like a zipper" as another is "starting from zero."
With the death toll rising, FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell said the federal government was ready to help in a huge way.
Search and rescue efforts continued Sunday in hurricane-ravaged Florida. One of the hardest hit regions was Sanibel Island, where St. Paul Park natives Deborah and Daniel Tilson moved about a year ago.
Search and rescue efforts continued Sunday in hurricane-ravaged Florida. One of the hardest hit regions was Sanibel Island, where St. Paul Park natives Deborah and Daniel Tilson moved about a year ago.
It's been three days since Hurricane Ian hit Fort Myers, Florida and finally some Minnesotans who live there are getting their first decent night's sleep in a real bed since that day.
Mike and Lorie Daniel survived Hurricane Ian from the fourth floor of their newly built hurricane-proof apartment building. However, the storm surge flooded the first floor of the building, and everyone living there is still without power and cell service, leaving the residents displaced.
FEMA and U.S. Coast Guard officials said about 4,000 people have been rescued in Florida by local, state and federal authorities.
Though people in the path of Hurricane Ian were hit hardest, many watched the effects from afar, including a 10-year-old from western Wisconsin.
Though people in the path of Hurricane Ian were hit hardest, many watched the effects from afar, including a 10-year-old from western Wisconsin.
At least 28 people died due to the storm, and many more were left without a home.
Ian was expected to weaken Saturday and "dissipate early Sunday," the National Hurricane Center reported.
