Ian’s deadly path: A visual look at how the hurricane devastated Florida region by region

Hurricane Ian didn’t hurry as it aimed toward Florida’s west coast. Churning for days as a “disheveled mess,” it fed on warm water around Cuba before slow-rolling toward Southwest Florida at 9 mph. It gathered strength, power and bulk as it went, swelling into the fifth strongest storm ever recorded in the U.S. By the time it made landfall on Wednesday, Sept. 28, Ian’s 200-mile wind field more than engulfed the 135-mile-wide peninsula. Its eyewall alone was 60 miles (Hurricane Charley’s in 2004 was 12) and its 150 mph winds made it just shy of a Category 5.  

It was a monster, with monstrous results. It brought destruction not just to one region but to much of the state, in the form of deadly storm surge, wind damage, river and inland flooding and beach erosion.  

It would prove to be one of the most devastating hurricanes ever to hit Florida, causing at least 144 deaths. It left many Floridians cut off literally and figuratively – some trapped on flooded islands, others without power, internet or cellular service for weeks. Insurers have reported $12.6 billion in insured losses to the Florida Department of Insurance Regulation. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says more than $4.4 billion in various forms of federal assistance, loans and flood insurance have been paid out. 

Region by region, you can see Ian’s toll, which in many areas lingers today, more than three months later.  

How many people died in Hurricane Ian

As of the end of 2022, the death toll from Hurricane Ian stood at 144, making it the deadliest hurricane in the state since 1935. The largest share of those came from Lee County, where many people who did not evacuate drowned as storm surge inundated low-lying areas. 

FEMA individual assistance

Many sources of government aid to hurricane victims have been paid since Ian struck, including multiple forms of FEMA, Small Business Administration and flood insurance payments totaling at least $4.4 billion. In this graphic we show one measure, FEMA individual assistance paid to victims in 26 counties as of early November. 

Insurance claims

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation tracks insurance claims reported by Florida property insurers. It broke out the claim numbers for the top 20 counties. Other counties’ claim numbers were reported in the aggregate, not individually. 

Eye path region

By the time Hurricane Ian reached Cayo Costa, an unbridged barrier island north of Captiva, at 3:05 p.m. Sept. 28, it was the fifth-strongest storm ever recorded in the U.S., just shy of Category 5 strength. An hour-and-a-half later, it made mainland landfall in Charlotte County south of Punta Gorda. 

As Ian marched more than 140 miles across the peninsula, it would cause the majority of its deaths – 111 of 144 – in this 10-county region most affected by Ian’s eye. 

Uncharacteristically, Ian’s backside winds were as strong as its leading edge. But worse than the wind was the water. Lee County’s barrier islands: Estero Island, Pine Island, Sanibel and Captiva; its mangrove coast and Caloosahatchee riverfront bore the brunt, with up to 18 feet of storm surge that swamped and splintered houses, wiped out piers and boardwalks and orphaned thousands of boats. Tornadoes spawned randomly. Rain fell torrentially and historically, at one-in-1,000-year levels in places, compounding the pushed-in seas. Just north of landfall, the Peace and Myakka rivers and Horse Creek crested at record heights, bringing flooding in Charlotte, Sarasota and Manatee counties. 

As Ian trudged inland, unprecedented amounts of rain – more than 20 inches – fell across Southwest and Central Florida. Roads, bridges and causeways washed out, closing Interstate 75 and crippling communities from Arcadia south to Sanibel. By the time it had crossed the state the following morning and headed into the Atlantic in Brevard County, Ian had weakened to a tropical storm that eroded beaches along Florida’s east coast. 

Brevard

Hurricane Ian crossed Brevard County overnight into the morning of Sept. 29 as a tropical storm with 65 mph sustained winds, an 81-mph gust, and as much as 15 inches of rain before exiting into the Atlantic. Beach erosion and inland flooding caused the most significant damage in the county.

Charlotte

Ian made landfall on mainland Florida at 4:35 p.m., p.m. Sept. 28, just south of the Charlotte County city of Punta Gorda, near Pirate Harbor, with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph. As much as 23 inches of rainfall was recorded in parts of Charlotte County. At one point the sheriff reported more than 20 dead, though the final toll was 8.

Collier

The county’s coastal regions were battered, with wind and water destroying homes and businesses on the Isles of Capri, Marco Island and in Naples and Everglades City.  The coastal regions had 5 to 10 feet storm surges that flooded thousands of homes. 10 people died.

DeSoto

16.8 inches of rain were reported in Arcadia, the county seat, which caused severe flooding. Wind gusts reached an estimated 110 mph in the southwest part of the county, according to the National Weather Service. The Peace River in Arcadia reached a record height of 23.7 feet on Oct. 1.  

Hardee

Maximum wind gust was 81 mph in Wauchula. Nearly 10,000 customers lost electricity. Eighteen structures were destroyed, 114 had major damage, and 367 had minor damage. The Peace River at Zolfo Springs reached record flood stage of 27.24 feet.

Highlands

Sebring Regional Airport saw Highlands’ maximum wind gust of 78 mph. Radar analysis indicated up to 15 inches of rain near Sebring. 56,690 households were without power. 50% loss in early citrus crop totaling about $40 million.

Lee

The hurricane stormed Lee County barrier islands with winds approaching Category 5 speed, followed by storm surge of up to 18 feet. Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, Pine Island, Captiva Island sustained the most damage, with officials saying not one structure escaped damage. Cape Coral, with more than 200,000 residents and Fort Myers, felt the effects, with the worst extending to the U.S. 41 corridor and slightly behind. Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach officials say it could take up to five years to fully recover. More deaths occurred in Lee than any other location in Florida.

Manatee

The center of Hurricane Ian crossed to the south of the county, but tropical storm to hurricane force winds were felt across much of the county for over a day. An 86 mph gust was clocked at the Sarasota Bradenton Airport Sept. 28 with sustained winds measured at 68 mph. Some gauges in the county measured an excess of 10 inches of rain. More than 100,000 residents and visitors were part of mandatory evacuation.

Osceola

County officials say most of the damage here was caused by historic levels of flooding after 13 inches of rainfall.

Sarasota

The eyewall traveled just south of Sarasota, bringing maximum winds of 86 mph to the county and dropping a massive 21.45 inches of rain in North Port. The winds brought down trees and damaged many homes and buildings in the southern part of the county in Venice and Englewood, and 10 people were killed. The rainfall flooded rivers and led to days of flooding in North Port. A section of Interstate 75 was temporarily closed due to flooding. 

Tampa Bay Region

When Ian first aimed at Florida, it looked like a worst-case scenario — a direct hit on the Tampa Bay region, which is heavily developed and particularly vulnerable to storm surge. In the end, while bay area counties did feel effects and suffer damage from Ian, it wasn’t the disaster originally feared. Hillsborough County saw more than $55 million in property damage, according to one estimate, while Polk County saw widespread flooding along the Peace River in Bartow and Fort Meade after receiving up to 17 inches of rain. Pinellas officials said they “got lucky this time” as Pinellas and Pasco counties suffered mostly power outages and downed trees. 

Hillsborough

While Hillsborough County avoided direct impact, it faced serious fallout from the 75 mph winds recorded in Tampa and Riverview. A reverse storm surge drained Tampa Bay of its water, a phenomenon that had people frolicking in the bay despite warnings.

Pasco

Emergency management officials said the county dodged the worst of the storm and avoided major damage. Nearly 26,000 lost power, but it was soon restored. Winds as high as 87 mph were reported at the height of the storm. 

Pinellas

Officials said the county “got lucky this time,” noting that the storm brought heavy winds, downed power lines, downed trees and flooded some roadways, but no major damage. About 200,000 homes lost power initially but were restored within days of the storm’s passing.

Polk

The storm swept across southern Polk County as a Category 1 event with top recorded wind speeds of 74 mph in Lakeland, dropping up to 17 inches of rain in various areas. The rain caused widespread flooding along the Peace River in Bartow and Fort Meade, with the entire city of Fort Meade losing electricity. 

Northeast Region

Although Hurricane Ian had weakened to tropical storm strength by the time it lashed the coast in Northeast Florida, it left behind catastrophic damage, especially along the beaches from Ponce Inlet north to Flagler Beach in Volusia and Flagler counties. 

In Volusia, Ian caused damage of at least $377 million, according to county government, sending backyards of coastal homes into the ocean and damaging many beach ramps and walkways. Ian ripped away a 120-foot section of the historic Flagler Beach pier. 

The storm dumped 14 inches of rain and caused historic flooding in Orange and Seminole counties, especially along the St. Johns River. Massive flooding hit Lake and Putnam counties, in communities along the St. Johns, Lake George, Crescent Lake and Dunns Creek. 

Tropical storm force winds lasted for more than 28 hours in St. Johns County, inflicting major coastal flooding at Porpoise Point, North Beach and in Flagler Estates while washing out 650,000 cubic yards of sand. Other portions of St. Augustine saw flooding. 

Flagler

Flooding in Flagler Beach sent water into garages or living areas or both of 186 homes. Ian also ripped away a 120-foot section from the Flagler Beach pier, prompting the city to permanently close the iconic wooden pier, which had already been scheduled to be demolished. The storm also eroded massive amounts of sand along the county’s shoreline.

Lake

The storm caused flooding in Astor, in northeast Lake, where the St. Johns River reached flood stage, and some localized damage in other parts of the county. Rainfall ranged from 4.13 inches in Lady Lake to 9.49 inches in Mount Plymouth. The highest recorded wind gust (56 mph) was before dawn Sept. 29 at the Leesburg airport.

Orange

Like most of Central Florida, Orange County, home to Orlando and the theme parks, suffered historic levels of flooding. Rainfall totals were 14 inches, and the highest wind was a 74 mph gust.

Putnam

Coastal storm surge shoved floodwater into waterfront communities along the St. Johns River, Lake George, Crescent Lake and Dunns Creek. Welaka and Dunns Creek were hit especially hard. Sportsmans Harbor in Weleka still had flooding when Tropical Storm Nicole arrived in November. Dunns Creek and the St. Johns River at Buffalo Creek crested at record highs. Winds peaked at about 35 mph on Sept. 29. Rainfall varied with Palatka doused by 4.35 inches.

Seminole

Parts of Seminole County suffered severe flooding along the St. Johns River watershed area with many areas remaining under water for days after the storm dumped 14 inches of rain. Top wind was a gust of 69 mph.

St. Johns

Tropical storm force winds began at 11 p.m. Sept. 28 and buffeted the county for 28 hours and 30 minutes. Rain ranged from 2 to 5 inches. Storm surge inflicted major coastal flooding at Porpoise Point, North Beach and in Flagler Estates while washing out 650,000 cubic yards of sand, with replacement cost of more than $60 million.. The Intracoastal Waterway was 3 to 4 feet and St. Johns River was 2 to 3.5 feet above ground level. Davis Shores, Lincolnville and other portions of St. Augustine suffered flooding from rising water on the St. Johns and the Intracoastal Waterway.

Volusia

Volusia County felt the brunt of Ian on Sept. 28-29. The storm caused coastal erosion and widespread flooding and brought more than 21 inches of rain in Daytona Beach and gusts as high as 81 mph at the Daytona Beach International Airport, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

South region

Counties in this region to the south and east of Ian’s eye saw damage and some deaths but did not bear the brunt of the storm in the same ways other parts of Florida did. 

In Palm Beach County, Ian’s yawning reach spun up four tornadoes. The worst, an EF-2, hit the Kings Point retirement community, causing multiple condominium units to be condemned. About 8,100 people were without electricity at the height of the power outages. 

Along the Treasure Coast, wind gusts as high as 65 mph were measured at the House of Refuge in Martin County, and 66 mph in Fort Pierce. Rainfall was 6 to 7 inches. 

Glades

Highest winds over western and northern sections of the county gusted to hurricane force with maximum wind gusts in the 70 mph range over eastern Glades County. Three structures were destroyed, 14 with major damage, and 25 with minor damage. Two homes were severely damaged from a tornado in Moore Haven. 

Hendry

Hendry County sustained damage from Ian mostly near the Caloosahatchee River north of LaBelle, with wind damage to mostly homes and a few businesses.

Indian River

Tropical storm-force winds and rain swept through the area beginning mid-day Sept. 28 and lasted through the morning of Sept. 29. Still, the hurricane’s impact on the county was “relatively minimal,” County Emergency Management Coordinator Ryan Lloyd said, including downed power lines and isolated flooding.   

Martin

The effects of Hurricane Ian on Martin County began as early as Sept. 27 when a potential tornado ripped off part of a roof of a mobile home. The area experienced isolated flooding and high winds.

Monroe

Key West had a storm surge of about 4.7 feet with 93 homes flooded, including 38 with major damage. Peak wind gusts were 75 to 85 mph. Fourteen single-family homes were destroyed, 52 with minor damage. Officials attributed the deaths of seven Cuban migrants found near the Florida Keys to the storm.

Okeechobee

This county was less affected by Ian, with no flooding or road closures and only a small amount of rain. Florida Power & Light Co. customers experienced outages between Sept. 28 and Oct. 2. Glades Electric customers had power restored by Oct. 8. 

Palm Beach

Four tornadoes, including an EF-2 west of Delray Beach that resulted in the condemnation of multiple condominium units in Kings Point, touched down in the county. Highest wind speeds unrelated to a tornado were measured at the Juno Beach Pier with sustained 51 mph winds and gusts to 59 mph.

St. Lucie

Effects were felt in St. Lucie County on Sept. 27, before Ian made landfall on Florida’s West Coast. Nearly 130,000 people across the Treasure Coast lost power while tropical storm-force winds with gusts to 66 and rain bands blew through the region, dropping up to 7 inches of rainfall. 

CONTRIBUTING Jim Abbott, David Bauerlein, Sergio Bustos, Liz Freeman, Chad Gillis, Will Greenlee, Stacey Henson, Earle Kimmel, John McCarthy, Olivia McKelvey, Jesse Mendoza, Kim Miller, Jennifer Orsi , Lina Ruiz, Anne Snabes, Douglas Soule, Sara-Megan Walsh, Thomas Weber, Amy Williams, Lina Ruiz

SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research; FEMA; NOAA; National Hurricane Center; Florida Office of Insurance Regulation; Small Business Administration; © Mapcreator.io | © OSM.org