Hurricane Ian happened almost three years ago. But a new NBC documentary series has been bringing painful memories flooding back for many Southwest Florida residents.
The Hurricane Ian episode of “Survival Mode” follows three groups of Ian survivors on Fort Myers Beach, including a family and a group of boaters anchored offshore. The episode aired nationwide July 21 on NBC, but you can still stream it on Peacock, the NBC app and the show’s website.
Facebook posts about the episode — including recent News-Press/Naples Daily News stories — have generated hundreds of raw, emotional comments.
Some Southwest Florida residents say they can’t bear to watch “Survival Mode.” It’s too painful to relive the horror and devastation.
“I was a survivor — lost everything!” wrote North Fort Myers resident Ginny Stuart on the Facebook group SWFL Happenings. “But I can’t take the trauma of watching it.”
Others forced themselves to make it through the one-hour episode, despite the pain.
“I didn’t want to watch it, but it is a part of healing,” wrote Fort Myers Beach resident Joni Renee on the Facebook page for Facebook Live/YouTube show Beach Talk Radio. “And we are still healing and rebuilding. I think we all could tell our own ‘survival mode’ story. FMB Strong.”
In all, the episode interviews about 10 Hurricane Ian survivors, as well as Gulf Coast News chief meteorologist Allyson Rae and first responder T.J. Temples, according to information provided by a show publicist.
Rae wrote about “Survival Mode” on her Facebook page before the episode aired July 21 on Gulf Coast News.
“To be honest, I’m preparing myself for an emotional night,” she said. “I know it will bring tears, and reopen wounds we thought had started to heal.
“But this is more than a documentary. It’s the story of our community, our resilience and a town that held each other through the unthinkable.”
Southwest Florida had much more to say about the Hurricane Ian episode of “Survival Mode.” Here are some of their comments from Facebook (edited for clarity):
‘My heart is still with all of you in Fort Myers Beach’
Just finished watching it and pretty much cried through the whole thing.
— Layne Marie of Naples on Facebook group SWFL Happenings
Fort Myers Beach has my heart. I’ve been back over half a dozen times since Ian. I love the people, the vibe… (It) feels like home. Thankful for everyone who’s worked so hard to get it back.
— Sheila Mosher Paddock on Facebook group I love Fort Myers Beach, Florida
It brought all the feelings right back. I’ll never forget that day before (and the) feeling of impending doom. We left, and (we) were texting friends who stayed about how unfortunately the storm would not be a quick pass.
(Our) house flooded out, and pretty much everything inside was lost. But thankful every day for our decision to leave.
— Katie Wojtowicz of Cape Coral on Beach Talk Radio’s Facebook page
For those who think that there is little progress as of today … watching this should change your mind. Considering what it looked like the morning after, there has been huge progress. Very emotional. Well done.
We are two miles from the beach and lost everything but the frame of our home. God bless the victims of Ian.
— Gailynn Kirk of Fort Myers Beach on Beach Talk Radio’s Facebook page
‘I watched with tears and hard gulps’
I was shaking and crying. (The TV show) brought back all the overwhelming fear I felt at the time. I was out of state visiting family when it came in. I kept calling neighbors who stayed behind to see what was happening in our neighborhood.
I was terrified there would be nothing left when I returned. I was glued to the TV watching the coverage and doing mental inventory of all that was in my house that could be lost. We were very, very lucky. Our damage was mostly superficial. But some of our neighbors were far less fortunate.
— Kelly Utz on Beach Talk Radio’s Facebook page
My heart is still with all of you in Fort Myers Beach who went through Hurricane Ian. We’ve visited a couple of times since then. Broken but still beautiful!
— Kenna Given of Virginia Beach on Facebook group I love Fort Myers Beach, Florida
I watched with tears and hard gulps. So much loss and devastation. Hardest day many of us in Lee County have lived through. Sending hugs to all the locals and visitors who were affected by that monster. May we never take a single breath for granted.
— Shore + Grove Photography LLC on Facebook group I love Fort Myers Beach, Florida
‘What about the rest of the area that went through it?’
Started to watch it. Lived through it and it started triggering PTSD. (So I) couldn’t keep watching. Hard time I hope nobody has to relive. Very sad.
— Alisha Koyanis of Fort Myers on Facebook group SWFL Happenings
Why just Fort Myers Beach? It destroyed my home and property in North Fort Myers.
— Misty Meoli of North Fort Myers on Facebook group SWFL Happenings
They did a good job (on “Survival Mode”), but what about the rest of the area that went through it, as well? Pine island, Sanibel and Captiva, and Suncoast for example. I understand Fort Myers Beach was hit very hard, but so were other areas.
— Joseph Blais on Beach Talk Radio’s Facebook page
I tried to watch it, but anxiety took over. Living through it was enough.
— Debra Williams of Cape Coral on Facebook group Fort Myers Life
’14 hours of hell!’
I watched it. It’s a wonder anyone survived it!
— Rebecca Funk Cecil on Facebook group I love Fort Myers Beach, Florida
It was incredibly emotional. I had not seen a lot of the footage, and I think my heart sank all over again watching it. Thank God that some people actually survived the storm.
— Kim Sciano Mennen on Beach Talk Radio’s Facebook page
My wife and I are survivors! Horrible experience! 14 hours of hell!!
— Bob Pavy of Fort Myers Beach on Facebook group I love Fort Myers Beach, Florida
Unbelievable the destruction and loss that occurred and the amazing stories of survivors’ true grit. I was only a visitor of FMB at that time, and it impacted me immensely. I can only imagine living through it.
Still, (I) decided to move to this awesome area last September. The determination and loyalty of the Fort Myers Beach community is truly inspiring.
— Gayle Bugger on Beach Talk Radio’s Facebook page
Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 or email crunnells@gannett.com. Follow or message him on Facebook(@charles.runnells.7), Instagram (@crunnells1) and X (@CharlesRunnells).
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: ‘I was shaking and crying’: SW Florida reacts to Hurricane Ian episode of new NBC show
Reporting by Charles Runnells, Fort Myers News-Press / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
