9-hour beating: Ian’s wrath in Charlotte County

Published: Updated:
debris
Debris cleanup is underway in Charlotte County. (CREDIT: Charlotte County Government)

Scott Joiner has lived in Punta Gorda his entire life.

He lived through Charley in 2004 when the hurricane was one of four hurricanes to strike Florida that year.

Ian was different.

“This was nine hours of being beat,” Joiner said.

The Category 4 Hurricane that moved through Southwest Florida on Wednesday was like no other.

While Charlotte County has not reported any storm-related deaths, the storm has left its mark.

Power lines across Deep Creek are on the ground while floods continue to affect the neighborhood.

https://twitter.com/TaylorPetras/status/1576265888302792705

In Punta Gorda, the Emerald Lake community awoke on Saturday to clean up.

Roofs were piled onto cars as people dug through the rubble.

Lakewood Village Park off Highway 17 in Punta Gorda is a 55-plus community.

Sewage is making it into homes in the community.

Damage at Lakewood Village Park in Punta Gorda. (CREDIT: WINK News)

One man, John, is in a wheelchair and can’t leave his home because his electricity is out and his wheelchair lift won’t work.

Neighbors in the area think it is going to get worse.

Some stayed during the storm and others left.

John of Lakewood Village Park in Punta Gorda. (CREDIT: WINK News)

At the Muscle Car City supply distribution center, cars lined up for food, water and tarps.

The distribution center will be open every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is at 10175 Tamiami Trail in Punta Gorda.

A second distribution site at Charlotte Sports Park will also be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is at 2300 El Jobean Road in Port Charlotte.

Charlotte County also has a call center at the emergency operations center that accepts calls from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The call center provides current, up-to-date Hurricane Ian information and resources. You can give them a call at 941-833-4000 or 941-743-1320. You can also find more information by clicking here.

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