Florida Continues to Survey Destruction, Death After Hurricane Ian
Summary from the AllSides News Team
A week and a half after Hurricane Ian tore across the Florida peninsula as one of the strongest storms in U.S. history, residents continue to grapple with the devastation left in the aftermath. The storm resulted in the deaths of at least 123 Floridians, with Lee County suffering the worst with 59 deaths.
With estimates of damages reaching upwards of $50 billion, financing the rebuilding effort is already proving to be a challenge. For more inland communities impacted by the storm, many residents are discovering their home insurance policies do not cover flood damage, leaving many hoping for additional federal relief aid that could take months to be approved.
Applying for and acquiring available FEMA aid has proved to be a challenge for individuals left homeless by the storm, many of whom are living in shelters and converted gymnasiums that have opened their doors to the dislocated residents.
Outlets on the right have covered state officials’ warnings to looters far more heavily, with Fox News (Right Bias) reporting that six people had been arrested on suspicion of looting. Outlets on the left have been more likely to connect the storm’s strength to climate change, with CNN (Left Bias) reporting that FEMA flood maps underestimate threat levels faced by increasingly intense storms. Newsweek (Center Bias) reported on rebuilding work being done by migrant workers that traveled to the state in the aftermath of the storm.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Right
‘Denying us right away’: Florida residents face uncertain future in Ian’s aftermath
Headlights brighten the dusty roads under the soft complexion of pre-dawn light. With the landscape in ruins, it’s a new day in Southwest Florida.
People operating heavy machines move vessels, structures and personal belongings to the sides of roads. Survivors in these communities who evacuated also return to their homes destroyed and memories washed away by Hurricane Ian’s record storm surge.
Mike Mauger lost his home in the hurricane and doesn’t know where to go from here.
“Hopefully, we have insurance, some form of insurance. According to the insurance people, they...
From the Left
Hurricane Ian may have caused $67 billion in damage, a top 5 U.S. storm
Hurricane Ian likely caused $53 billion to $74 billion in insured losses from Florida to the Carolinas, with a "best estimate" of $67 billion, according to new data released today from modeling firm RMS.
The big picture: These preliminary damage totals would make Hurricane Ian the costliest storm in Florida history and second nationally to Hurricane Katrina when adjusted for inflation.
The storm, which devastated densely populated areas of southwest Florida — including Ft. Myers, Naples and barrier island communities such as Sanibel Island — killed at least 92 people...
From the Left
Lack of flood insurance in hard-hit Central Florida leaves families struggling after Hurricane Ian 
When Amanda Trompeta was woken up by her dog barking early last Thursday morning, she assumed he was just frightened by Hurricane Ian. But then she got out of bed – and found herself standing ankle-deep in floodwater.
By the time the storm passed, three and a half feet of murky, dark water had swept into Trompeta’s house in the Orlando suburb of Winter Springs. “It went everywhere, every single room,” she said. “All the floors, all the walls have to be redone – everything is ruined.”
Despite the devastation,...
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