Have you've talked about it with friends and family? Perhaps you've kept it to yourself. Now it's time to tell your Southwest Florida Hurricane Ian survival story to the Lee County Alliance of the Arts. It's for a special project. You have a hurricane story. Whether you are in Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral , Port Charlotte, Arcadia or anywhere in between. Now could be the time to get it out.
The Alliance is working in conjunction with Gulf Coast Writers Association to what they call "harvest" stories of the unprecedented disaster. The stories will be complied in an anthology and shared with the public this September. It's called Storm Stories.
How to tell your Hurricane Ian Survival story.
There are a couple of ways. First, you can submit them in writing to www.gulfwriters.org or www.artinlee.org. The stories may be edited and included in a printed book. There is no cost, no word limit, and no age restrictions. Submit your stories by April 1st.
In addition, a special phone line has been set up. Leave a voicemail with your story. Call the number and once you hear the tone, you have three minutes. It's that easy. "Tell your story in whatever capacity you feel fit--uncensored and unbridled," says Molly Deckart, executive director of the alliance. "It is meant to be cathartic and therapeutic and sharable." Here is the number to call, 239-744-3047 .
Gallery: Life On Fort Myers Beach 4 Months After Hurricane Ian
Saturday January 28th was the four month anniversary. The Town of Fort Myers Beach took a catastrophic direct hit from Hurricane Ian on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. Ian was a category 4-plus hurricane. Sustained winds were clocked just a few miles per hour short of a category 5. Bur the real damage wasn't just the wind. It was the surge. All that water. Like nothing we'd ever seen. Life on Fort Myers Beach changed immediately.
But Southwest Florida is building back. I live in Estero and today the roofer was at my house making repairs. He sent me a picture when he was done. So happy. My friend bought a house on the river that was completely flooded. She's currently refurbishing it and plans to move in. We're doing this. But the people on Fort Myers Beach have a much longer way to go.
If you're not a beach resident, but want to help out by putting some money into the local economy, here's a list of what's open.
Getty photographer Joe Raedle came over from Miami to take some pictures at the beach. He captured pictures of life on Fort Myers Beach including rv's, tents, and pods that people have turned into the temporary homes. The beach will rebuild, it will just take time. Because the people in these pictures - they aren't going anywhere.
