True to predictions, Hurricane Ian slammed into the Western coast of Florida with a vengeance Wednesday, bringing with it torrential downpours and winds of up to 140 miles per hour, shredded homes and decimating the beachfront in Naples before slowly moving its way inland - and taking its destruction with it.
Here are just a few of the craziest sights from the Florida coast as millions of people braced themselves for a long and terrifying night.
Got this from a friend in #Naples - just so sad. @ActionNewsJax #Ian pic.twitter.com/HtC0CtG228
— Jason Brewer (@JBrewerBoston25) September 28, 2022
An ominous sight.
A picture my mom caught in south florida of Hurricane Ian’s rain bands already. Be safe florida #HurricaneIan #ian pic.twitter.com/wB9qoJ1VRU
— glamorous shawty (@JaniyaaPryorr) September 27, 2022
The entire bay in Tampa...gone.
Video from Matt Tilman of Bayshore Blvd in Tampa. The bay being sucked out. #hurricaneian #ian pic.twitter.com/F54Lv1r5KV
— Jordan Steele (@JordanSteele) September 28, 2022
Somebody trying to outrun the storm in a yacht.
Note to the wise: it doesn't matter how much money you have - you can't beat nature.
This psycho is trying to outrun the #HurricaneIan in a 56 foot Hatteras motor yacht. Seen departing Sanibel today. Absolutely insane. Godspeed "Captain". pic.twitter.com/3Wk8Su3p4S
— Frank Castiglione (@CastiglioneFrnk) September 28, 2022
Water breaking through a door - and luckily only taking out a pair of shoes.
Door buckled in from water pressure in Naples, FL. This happened to my husband, he is OK. Lost his shoes. #hurricaneian pic.twitter.com/LZRtNsPrAu
— Alexis (@comfy_goat) September 28, 2022
Naples underwater.
The City of Naples has issued an emergency citywide curfew to protect and safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of City of Naples residents, visitors, and first responders. The curfew is effective immediately until further notice. pic.twitter.com/C1OIiFkCoN
— Naples Police Dept. (@NaplesPolice) September 28, 2022
Water busting into this condo building like a flood.
😳OMG. Look the storm surge has begun to rush in through bottom floor of this Naples, FL condo. There’s reports that people are in water up to their chins inside of their homes. They’re asking for helicopter evacs ASAP!
— John-Carlos Estrada (@Mr_JCE) September 28, 2022
pic.twitter.com/acKgpa3Gaj
Houses literally floating down the street.
Houses floating down the street in Naples, FL #HurricaneIan pic.twitter.com/gzIGAejWSV
— Parker Branton (@ParkerBranton) September 28, 2022
Fallen power lines catching fire amid the deluge.
Fallen power lines sent sparks flying among broken palm trees and debris in a street in Naples, Florida, on Wednesday after being knocked down by #HurricaneIan. https://t.co/ZhJtyNPWaW pic.twitter.com/1EwEvz4E12
— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 28, 2022
One home being torn apart like a cardboard box.
One of my friends just sent me this from #Naples. #Hurricane pic.twitter.com/XJBgdz2N0O
— Dave Epstein (@growingwisdom) September 28, 2022
Our prayers remain with those in Florida and neighboring states.