The heartbreaking scenes of destruction left behind by Hurricane Ian along Florida’s southwestern coastline may be among the worst disasters to strike the state.
Now, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office deployed its search and rescue team Sunday to Charlotte County, one of the areas on Florida’s west coast that was hardest hit by Hurricane Ian, sheriff’s spokesperson Lt. Joe Abollo said. The team – made up of 12 deputies – plans to work day and night in the storm-battered community to search for any survivors as the official death toll from Ian continues to climb.
“Our dedicated team arrived safely on Sunday and immediately started helping by removing downed trees and helping work crews restore power,” Abollo said. “Please keep them in your prayers.”
As of Tuesday, the number of people killed in Florida from Ian increased to at least 72, according to the Florida Medical Examiners Commission.
“We acknowledge the loss and suffering caused by critical incidents and Hurricane Ian is no exception. It is important for us to remember, that our strength is in our commitment to serve the calling,” Abollo said in a statement. “We swore to protect and serve, and as a sheriff’s office we know the face of tragedy, and in the face of hardship, we come together to lend a hand, brick by brick, block by block, we will restore and rebuild alongside our brothers and sisters on the west coast.”
Ian made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane when it slammed into Florida’s southwestern coast Sept. 28. The storm left parts of the west coast – including Punta Gorda, Naples, Cape Coral and Fort Myers – with heavy damage to homes, boats and bridges, along with massive flooding.
The Indian River deputies deployed will be assisting the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office with search and rescue efforts, along with patrolling the streets and handling calls for service, Abollo said. Under the Florida Sheriff’s Association Mutual Aid Agreement, Indian River County Sheriff’s Office deputies will have full law enforcement authority while on deployment in Charlotte County, officials said.
“Indian River County was spared from the wrath of Hurricane Ian. We are sending resources to the west coast to assist our brothers and sisters who need us right now,” Sheriff Eric Flowers said in a statement. “We will continue to provide assistance as needed. Please keep them in your prayers.”
There were no reports of local deaths from Ian, officials said.
Tropical storm force winds – 39-to-73 mph – damaged business signs, railroad crossing arms and caused erosion on beaches in Indian River County. Ian swept across southwestern Florida before it crawled up through the center of the state, exited Brevard and Volusia counties and went back into the Atlantic Ocean.
Ian steadily weakened on Florida’s east coast before it regained hurricane strength in the water, swirled north and slammed into South Carolina on Friday. The storm weakened again to a post-tropical cyclone, according to reports.
Photos provided by Indian River County Sheriff’s Office
