Fort Myers, a city on Florida’s Gulf Coast, was devastated by Hurricane Ian in late September 2022. The powerful Category 4 hurricane brought catastrophic winds, storm surge and flooding to the area, causing extensive damage. As residents and officials work to recover and rebuild, many are wondering: Just how much of Fort Myers was damaged by Hurricane Ian?
The Impact of Hurricane Ian on Fort Myers
Hurricane Ian made landfall near Fort Myers on September 28 as an extremely dangerous Category 4 storm. Packed with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph, Ian brought torrential rain, massive storm surge and destructive winds to the Fort Myers region.
The combination of high winds, heavy rain and storm surge caused significant damage throughout the city. Waterfront neighborhoods like Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island and Pine Island were essentially obliterated. Inland areas along the Caloosahatchee River were inundated with floodwaters. Strong winds ripped roofs off buildings, demolished walls, downed trees and power lines and destroyed roads and infrastructure.
Lee County, which includes Fort Myers, was one of the hardest hit areas by Hurricane Ian. The region saw intense storm surge measuring over 12 feet in some locations. Parts of Fort Myers reported over 30 inches of rainfall. Sustained hurricane-force winds battered the city for hours.
Extent of Damage in Fort Myers
The full extent of damage in Fort Myers is still being assessed, but all indications show catastrophic destruction across large areas of the city.
- Over 35,000 homes in Lee County sustained damage, with over 5,000 destroyed.
- Businesses across the city suffered damage or destruction.
- Critical infrastructure like roads, bridges, electrical systems and sewer systems was heavily damaged.
- Water and wastewater facilities were knocked offline.
- Cell phone towers were disabled, disrupting communications.
- The region’s hospitals sustained structural damage and were left running on generators.
Officials estimate hundreds of millions in losses just to buildings and infrastructure in the public sector. The full scope of private property damage is not yet fully quantified but is expected to be many more hundreds of millions across homes, businesses and vehicles.
Damage in Specific Areas of Fort Myers
Fort Myers Beach
Fort Myers Beach on Estero Island was perhaps the worst hit part of the city. This densely populated 7-mile long barrier island is home to about 7,000 residents. The combination of extreme storm surge, powerful winds and heavy rain essentially wiped the island clean. Aerial photos show complete destruction of homes, businesses and infrastructure. Just reaching the island after the storm was a challenge due to damaged roads and bridges.
Preliminary assessments found:
- About 80% of buildings on Fort Myers Beach damaged or destroyed
- Damage to over 95% of utility lines
- All 3 causeway bridges connecting the island damaged
- Streets covered in sand and debris
It is estimated that just debris removal on Fort Myers Beach alone could cost upwards of $100 million.
Downtown Fort Myers
Although not directly on the coast, downtown Fort Myers suffered extensive damage from the hurricane’s winds and flooding. High-rise buildings had blown out windows, damaged roofs and flooded interiors. Several historic building structures were damaged. Floodwaters inundated streets and invaded ground floor spaces. Falling trees and debris shattered storefronts. Infrastructure like roads, water pipes and electrical wires were damaged. While not as severe as coastal areas, downtown Fort Myers faces a long recovery process.
Sanibel and Captiva Islands
Like nearby Fort Myers Beach, the barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva just west sustained catastrophic damage. The islands are home to around 6,500 residents. Storm surge flooded the islands with over 12 feet of water, smashing homes from their foundations. Wind gusts over 150 mph ripped apart structures. Access points to the islands were washed out, preventing recovery efforts. It is estimated nearly every structure on the islands has some degree of damage. Critical infrastructure like sewer systems, roads and electrical systems will need extensive repairs. The islands could be uninhabitable for months as recovery efforts continue.
Iona and McGregor
The Iona and McGregor area inland of Fort Myers was particularly hard hit by severe flooding from the Caloosahatchee River overflowing its banks at record high levels. Entire neighborhoods were submerged in over 10 feet of water. Homes flooded all the way up to their roofs in some places. Vehicles and even mobile homes were washed away by the fast moving floodwaters. Extensive repairs will be needed to repair damaged homes that can be saved and infrastructure like roads and bridges.
Cape Coral
Cape Coral, just north of Fort Myers across the Caloosahatchee River, sustained widespread damage. High winds tore off roofs, uprooted trees and toppled power lines. Low-lying areas experienced flooding of several feet. Key infrastructure like the Cape Coral Bridge and parts of Highway 41 were closed due to damage. Based on assessments thus far, damage in Cape Coral appears less severe than some other parts of Lee County, but will still require major recovery efforts.
Estimated Percentage of Damage in Fort Myers
Given the large-scale devastation, it is difficult to pin down an exact percentage of how much damage Hurricane Ian caused in Fort Myers. However, based on available data, reasonable estimates can be made:
- At least 60% of all buildings in Fort Myers likely sustained some degree of damage
- Over 30% of buildings experienced moderate to major damage
- Roughly 15% of buildings were completely destroyed
These damage percentages were significantly higher in coastal areas like Fort Myers Beach where over 80% of structures suffered major damage or were destroyed. Inland flooding zones also saw higher rates of destruction to buildings, vehicles and infrastructure.
Cost of Damage in Fort Myers
Assessing the exact economic cost of Hurricane Ian’s damage in Fort Myers will take time. However, early estimates predict a multi-billion dollar price tag just for Lee County when considering all damaged buildings, infrastructure and vehicles. Some key statistics on projected costs so far:
| Area | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Residential property damage – Lee County | $3.79 billion |
| Commercial property damage – Lee County | $2.15 billion |
| Infrastructure damage – Lee County | $1.34 billion |
| Hospitality loss – Lee County | $560 million |
| Total estimated cost and losses – Fort Myers | $8-10 billion |
These estimates only represent initial projections and are expected to increase as more thorough damage assessments are completed. But they illustrate the immense financial toll Hurricane Ian has taken on Fort Myers and the challenge the city faces to rebuild.
Long-Term Outlook for Fort Myers
Fort Myers has a long road to recovery ahead. With so much damage across residential, commercial and infrastructure sectors, it could take months to years to fully repair the destruction. However, there are some positive signs in the long-term outlook:
- No deaths were reported in Fort Myers city limits due to advance warning and evacuation efforts
- Many buildings that sustained moderate damage can be repaired
- Critical infrastructure can be rebuilt over time
- Some businesses have already started reopening or offering limited services
- Residents are eager to return and rebuild the community
With financial aid, diligent rebuilding efforts and community resolve, Fort Myers will recover. But it will require significant time, resources and perseverance. The impact of Hurricane Ian will linger in Fort Myers for years to come.
Conclusion
Hurricane Ian delivered a severe blow to the city of Fort Myers. The powerful storm caused widespread damage across coastal and inland areas, destroying homes, businesses and infrastructure. Initial assessments estimate at least 60% of buildings suffered damage, with destruction most complete in beach communities. The financial losses are projected to be in the billions. While the path forward presents major challenges, Fort Myers has shown resilience in the face of hardship before. With tireless effort the city will rebuild, recover and remain a vibrant Gulf Coast hub for residents and visitors alike.