See dramatic photos of Hurricane Ian's widespread damage across Florida
By
Nelson Oliveira
/ CBS News
Aerial views reveal widespread destruction in Florida
Floridians are facing devastating scenes after Hurricane Ian, one of the strongest storms ever to hit the U.S., swept across the state.
The storm, which made landfall in southwest Florida as a powerful Category 4 hurricane Wednesday, flooded numerous buildings and streets, ripped off roofs, left people trapped in their homes and knocked out power to millions of residents. Ian downgraded to a tropical storm as it moved across Florida, but strengthened into a hurricane again as it approached the Carolinas Friday.
Authorities were still assessing the situation in Florida, but the following photos offer a glimpse of the damage.
New Smyrna Beach
Residents in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, northeast of Orlando, faced flooded homes and streets after Ian passed through as a tropical storm.
A man paddles a canoe through a flooded neighborhood in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, on September 30, 2022, after Tropical Storm Ian slammed the area.
JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images
A family gathers in a flooded parking lot outside their neighborhood in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, on September 30, 2022.
JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images
An aerial photo, shows cars moving through receding flood waters as they return to New Smyrna Beach, Florida, on September 30, 2022.
JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images
Kissimmee
A city south of Orlando and adjacent to a lake, Kissimmee, Florida, saw significant flooding during and after Tropical Storm Ian.
A man stops in front of his house as a creek overflows from flooding following Tropical Storm Ian on September 30, 2022 in Kissimmee, Florida.
BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images
Osceloa County Sheriffs use a fanboat to rescue a 93-year-old resident from flooding following Tropical Storm Ian on September 30, 2022 in Kissimmee, Florida.
BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images
Fort Myers
One of the hardest-hit cities was Fort Myers, which is just north of where Ian made landfall. Photos show buildings and boats damaged by the hurricane's massive storm surge and strong winds, as well as inundated roads and buildings.
A condo in Fort Myers, Florida, is seen with a wall torn off on September 30, 2022 after Hurricane Ian passed through.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Members of the Texas A&M Task Force 1 Search and Rescue team look for anyone needing help after Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, on September 30, 2022.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
A man takes photos of boats damaged by Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, on September 29, 2022.
GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images
A flooded street is seen in downtown Fort Myers as Hurricane Ian makes landfall in southwestern Florida on September 28, 2022.
MARCO BELLO / REUTERS
Stedi Scuderi looks over her apartment after flood water inundated it when Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida.
Getty Images
Damaged boats are seen downtown after Hurricane Ian caused widespread destruction in Fort Myers, Florida, on September 29, 2022.
MARCO BELLO / REUTERS
Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda, a small city and county seat of Charlotte County, woke up Thursday to heavy flooding, collapsed buildings and its streets covered by debris and downed trees.
A fallen road sign and fallen trees are seen near flooded river aftermath of hurricane in Punta Gorda district of Florida on September 29, 2022.
Ben Hendren/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
A collapsed building near flooded river aftermath of hurricane in Punta Gorda district of Florida on September 29, 2022.
Ben Hendren/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
In this aerial view, damaged homes are seen after Hurricane Ian moved through the Gulf Coast of Florida on September 29, 2022 in Punta Gorda.
Getty Images
A man walks through debris on a street in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Punta Gorda, Florida, on September 29, 2022.
RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP via Getty Images
Bartow
Bartow, the county seat of Polk County, faced high winds and heavy rain that knocked down trees, power lines and businesses signs.
A worker repairs energy lines during a power outage after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Bartow, Florida.
Getty Images
A commercial sign lies in the street after being toppled by the winds and rain from Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022 in Bartow, Florida.
Gerardo Mora / Getty Images
Sanibel Causeway
The hurricane also destroyed a major chunk of the Sanibel Causeway, which connects Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland, cutting off access to the barrier island where about 6,400 people normally live.
A section of the damaged Sanibel Causeway seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, near Sanibel Island, Florida.
Wilfredo Lee / AP
At least three sections of the Sanibel Causeway were washed away by storm surge from Hurricane Ian
WZVN
Orlando
Flooding rains from Tropical Storm Ian slammed central Florida on Thursday. In Orlando, first responders helped evacuate a nursing home as floodwaters rose.
A man walks in his flooded neighborhood in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ian on September 29, 2022 in Orlando, Florida.
Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
A car in seen abandoned in a flooded road due to heavy rains from Tropical Storm Ian on September 29, 2022 in Orlando, Florida.
Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
A street sign stands in a road flooded by heavy rain from Tropical Storm Ian on September 29, 2022 in Orlando, Florida.
Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Nelson Oliveira is a push and platform editor with the Growth and Engagement team at CBSNews.com. He has experience covering local news, crime, education and politics.
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