Hurricane Ian: One Year Later

2023 • HURRICANE IAN: ONE YEAR LATER • 17 SUN FILE PHOTO BY ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH Homes in Country Club Ridge in North Port flooded, causing massive losses to families after Hurricane Ian. The United Way of South Sarasota is asking residents to come to in-person meetings and explain unmet needs lingering from the hurricane. Scares CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 Fully Insured Lic# CCC1331483 Family Owned & Operated For 3 Generations Multiple Financing Options Available 941-377-9933 www.SonShineRoofing.com FREE ESTIMATES FREE INSPECTIONS Some Restrictions Apply ROOF LEAKS? Your Residential Specialist Since 1987 SHINGLE • TILE • FLAT • METAL Repair • Replace • Maintenance • Inspection Skylights • Solar Ventilation Ask about additional Services: Gutters, Fascia, Soffit, Roof Cleaning Solar, Wind Mitigation & More adno=3903031-1 COVID-19 pandemic. Willis said he and his compatriots saw a similar dynamic at play during Hurricane Ian, as stormwater and infrastructure damage complicated aid deployment for certain neighborhoods. Partnering with groups like The Salvation Army and World Central Kitchen, distribution points for When All Else Fails were providing up to 15,000 meals a day near places like Country Club Ridge and Cranberry Boulevard. The group also assisted with evacuations and delivery of clean water to Country Club Ridge. There was a high reliance on nonperishable food in the days immediately after the storm, though they tried to prepare hot food for clients whenever possible. When All Else Fails also began a program to provide drywall to residents rebuilding their homes, funded through a partnership with the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. A year after Ian, Willis said the program is still ongoing — families who have since evacuated to Tampa are still trying to restore their homes and bring their kids back to familiar schools. While the need for the program has continued, he noted, the funding for that program is limited and due to reach its limit within the foreseeable future. "We'd love to keep the program going," he said. SUN FILE PHOTO BY ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH Flooding in Country Club Ridge in North Port after Hurricane Ian caused residents to lose just about everything. Now Sarasota County wants input on how to spend disaster funds for residents impacted by the hurricane.

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