RV Life with DAISEE2 #28 Saturday, October 1, 2022

So last Wednesday, September 28th, Hurricane IAN came on shore at Caya Costa – same place as Hurricane Charley a few years ago, but this time IAN was 4 times bigger and a catagory 4 when it made landfall.  The biggest difference this time was the water surge!  It flooded downtown Naples up to 4 Corners.  I even saw a video of a boat travelling down 5th Avenue on Facebook.  I’m going to try to pick that video up and put it here.  UNBELIEVABLE!

This is a 15 foot surge in Ft. Myers:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=saved&v=758608841903747

This is a ride in a boat down Fifth Avenue South in Naples:

https://www.facebook.com/hossswaonger/videos/621709622838665/

There is such devastation in my old Home Town.  I’m heartbroken and I can’t stop watching YouTube and the news reports.  I’ve heard from all of my friends that I reached out to in Naples and they are all safe, but not undamaged.  I wonder if my Shadowood Villa place would have flooded.  I’m sure I would have stayed through the Hurricane as I’ve stayed through all hurricanes in 43 years, but did go to Weston during Irma.  Never left Florida though.  Now that I’m out west, I am so grateful that I don’t need to worry about Hurricanes out here and I am blessed to be safely here.  Although I’m still upset about all of the damage and problems my friends and family (Jon) are going through.  

Downtown Naples – around Central Ave.

Doc’s on Bonita Beach:

That is just how bad it was on Ft. Myers Beach – devastating!  My heart hurts for all of SW Florida.  Naples will never be the same again.  Even Ridgway’s got water and sand in the dining room.  I can’t imagine what it will be like for everyone to get back to opening and working.  It will probably be months.  I’m so grateful I made the move out west when I did.  

I’m sure I would have been flooded out in my old place in Olde Naples.  Here is a picture of City Hall which was only 2 blocks from my place:

The firehouse got flooded and there is a video of the firemen clearing out a firetruck that began to smoke during the flooding.

Look at this:

I can’t imagine how everyone will get their livelihood back much less their homes.  I even thought for a brief moment that I would drive Daisy back and hang out to help, but realized that Collier-Seminole probably is closed too and just driving back would be difficult throughout Florida.  So I’ll just be there in spirit from the safety of my place in Tucson.  God Bless Florida and especially Naples!

Think how many times I drove this route in my 43 years:

Gulfshore Blvd:

AND Kelly’s Fishhouse!

THE PIER:

Holy SHIT!

And the Sanibel Causeway is unpassable:

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