'We're running out of everything': Desperation and anger take hold in Hurricane Ian aftermath as people wait hours for gas and basic supplies
Floridians say they're waiting for hours in long lines hoping to secure enough fuel for cars and generators as Ian leaves many without power.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
- Floridians used social media to voice their frustration with the conditions created by Hurricane Ian.
- Some locals reported six-hour waits in lines at gas stations as they attempt to fuel their cars and generators.
- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell says there's a 'long road to recovery' ahead for impacted communities.
In the wake of Hurricane Ian, Floridians are facing a lack of power, bottled water, and patience as they wait in miles-long gas lines.
In Port Charlotte, Fort Myers, and Naples — where there's still no power — residents are complaining of waiting hours to purchase fuel for cars and generators.
Residents of Florida's North Port, which typically floods days after storms hit, expressed frustration Friday with the lack of relief there compared to more southern areas of the state.
"They're waiting for help, they're waiting for FEMA, they're waiting for the National Guard, nobody's coming," a Port Charlotte resident who was staying in North Port told the Herald-Tribune.
Locals recounted harrowing journeys to safety as floods swelled higher.
"We rode in the canoe once we couldn't walk anymore, then we walked again. It was daunting, it was scary, the water is dirty. Don't do it unless you have to, if they say it's going to be this bad, leave," one couple told the Herald-Tribune.
Courtesy of Dylan Federico
Despite spotty cell phone service, Floridians have taken to Twitter to show current conditions after the Category 4 storm.
—Lynn Maraviglia Deinert (@LynnsIn) October 1, 2022
On Saturday, a Wawa convenience store was one of the few gas stations reopening its pumps in Port Charlotte. Locals described to the New York Times waiting up to six hours in line to fill cans with gas.
"Where's all the fuel?" one person asked, voicing frustration to the Times. "Every gas station or filling station was to have a generator prepared to go at all times."
Another user pointed out about 75% of traffic lights still are not working, although they didn't specify their exact location in Florida.
—Worm | (Devout Mosshead) (@altronanticism) September 30, 2022
As residents prepared for the storm, they nearly cleared store shelves of bottles of water and canned goods in Poinciana— just 40 miles south of Orlando.
Courtesy of Charlie's Magic
According to a report from CGTN America, 90% of Fort Myers has been destroyed by Hurricane Ian, devastating residents. Business owners Lien and Pat Ton described losing both their home and bed-and-breakfast to the storm.
"Right now we have to go with the motion," Lien said after her husband became too emotional to continue. "There's no power. No water."
Win McNamee
On Sunday, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell told CNN's Dana Bash that communities affected by the storm have a "long road to recovery" as the agency continues with disaster relief.
According to a Saturday release from FEMA, Criswell is touring and assessing areas of Florida to identify needs. Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing, and 1,600 people reportedly had been rescued as of Friday.
"While we certainly hope that we can continue to find more people alive and bring them out, we're going to support the state and their needs," Criswell said on CNN.