Cape Coral business owner rode out Hurricane Ian in her store

Business owners in Cape Coral are cleaning up and hoping to get their power back soon so they can serve their community.

Laundromat owner Fernanda in southwest Cape Coral says she has been cleaning out and hopes her machines will work when the power returns. She wants to provide laundry service to the community as soon as possible.

Fernanda rode out Hurricane Ian inside her business. “I stayed here during the storm because I thought I was going to be safe. I only thought about the wind, and the place I am living at I thought wasn’t going to be strong enough,” said Fernanda.

The wind at her business was strong, but the big issue that Fernanda, her three dogs, and two cats faced was the water. She said she took her animals and herself to the second floor and waited for the storm to pass.

“The water suddenly started to raise, raise, raise until the moment I had it literally… I’m 5’9″, and I had it all the way to my knee,” Fernanda said.

Once the water receded, Fernanda had a business with a layer of mud on the floor that needed to be cleaned out.

Fernanda said the only thing that survived in her office was her bible, which was left untouched on the table.

According to Fernanda, people with the electric company said power to her business should be restored by the end of the week.

Fernanda said she wants the community to stay strong and work together.