The US Coast Guard is organizing an “Waterborne Operation” To rescue residents of Pine Island, Florida, which were cut off from the mainland when Hurricane Ian knocked down their only bridge.
Paramedics and volunteers have already evacuated some of the people trapped there, but are asking the remaining residents to reach the Pine Island fire department on Sunday.
They will be taken by truck to the Yucatan waterfront and then to the boat across the Matalacha Pass.
Pine Island, the largest barrier island on Florida’s Gulf Coast, suffered the worst Hurricane Ian damage, along with the rest of Lee County.
Residents described the horrors of being trapped in their island homes as the water level rose as much as 10 feet in some areas, causing waves to crash into the streets.
Aerial photo of Pine Island before Hurricane Ian.
Aerial photo of Pine Island after Hurricane Ian.
Several people who had stayed during the storm were feared dead, and an elderly man contemplating taking his own life if help didn’t arrive soon enough, a neighbor said.
At least 35 people have died in Lee County, about half of them. Died in Hurricane Ian. An unknown number of people are still missing.
Pine Island’s neighbors, Sanibel and Captiva, faced a similar situation. The barrier islands were also connected to the Florida mainland by only one causeway, which was cut in many places After crushing Ian’s coast.
All three islands are without electricity or water.
post with wires