PINE ISLAND FL. – Days after Hurricane Ian Florida pummeledSome are still trapped in the worst-hit areas by the storm. This includes Pine Island, a small island near the state’s southwestern coast. Ian knocked out the community’s only bridge to the mainland.
Fox News joined the Florida National Guard for a helicopter flight over the island. The main objective is to drop off supplies to the area, just outside Fort Myers.
Many people stayed home As the hurricane struck, and since there’s no way to leave, they are relying on help from flights like this.
“The main reason I joined” The National Guard“It was because I witnessed soldiers that were out during hurricane Charlie,” Chief Warrant officer Freddie Hogan, a local scout, said.
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The bridge that was broken leads to Pine Island.
(Fox News/Austin Westfall).
Hogan and his crew filled the chopper with water and food. On the way to the island, they flew over Florida’s beaches to look for people, dead or alive, that needed to be recovered along the Coast mangled
“It’s been pretty much smashed by hurricane. Hogan stated that it was difficult to see.
Pine Island appears desolate from the sky, but many people live there, such as Bob Colin.
Colin explained that “We’re dependent on people who live in the island to transport our back and forth, ferrying us on private vessels,”
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The National Guard is not sure how many people remain on the island.
Pine Island was provided with water and food by the guard.
(Fox News/Austin Westfall).
As soldiers unloaded supplies, we asked Colin why some are choosing to stay.
He stated, “Because this is their home, so they have no where to go or they don’t know how to travel to a motel, an apartment, or a hotel.”
Colin said people are also staying put because they’re afraid their Property will be sold.The locals are grateful for the help, but they still need more.
Colin stated, “It’s great because they’re bringing food, water, emergency supplies, and it’s great, but we really need to repair the road into the Island so we can drive in,”
As the Florida National Guard fly to assist Hurricane Ian victims, they look for any needy people on the beaches.
(Fox News/Austin Westfall).
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The crew was only there for 15 minutes before they headed back to Fort Myers.
Governor Ron DeSantisAccording to the statement, the bridge will be reconstructed by Saturday. The supply missions will continue multiple times per day until then. Some people were also evacuated by boat by the U.S. Coast Guard.
PrivateSky Aviation, situated near Southwest Florida International Airport, supports the Florida National Guard.
