Southwest Florida

Shrimping is the largest piece of Florida’s seafood industry, with a value of almost $52 million in 2016. Now, it’s a matter of when the fishing can resume and whether there will still be experienced crews to operate the boats when that happens.

As Hurricane Ian crashed through Florida, some farmers lost everything. The hurricane drowned crops, and farmers across the state face major losses and profit losses. Gov. Ron DeSantis this week approved a program granting money to small businesses, including farmers.

"I've lived in Florida all my life, but it was eye-opening, to say the least," said Eric Rakstis. "I actually pulled three people out from the water that were washed off of their boats, so it was four of us all together on my tiny, little 27-foot boat."

As Hurricane Ian tore through Lee County, some of the evacuees fled to Palm Beach County. They discuss their decision to leave, their gratitude toward those who helped them here — and what they found when they returned home.

Churches across hard-hit Southwest Florida are providing a steadying force in the lives of those plunged into chaos and grief.

Most deaths were in Lee County, where local officials delayed hurricane evacuations until the day before the storm hit. Leaders in other nearby counties ordered evacuations a day earlier.

Across Southwest Florida, the long road to recovery is coming into focus as people try to pick up the pieces after Hurricane Ian. Many will rebuild, others will leave and some don't know what's next.

Residents of Florida’s devastated barrier islands are starting to return, assessing the damage to homes and businesses despite limited access to some areas.

The town of North Port was hit hard by Hurricane Ian, and then days of river flooding. As the waters start to recede, residents are starting to dry out and take stock of the damage.

After Hurricane Ian dumped record levels of rain across Florida, rivers flooded, leaving thousands stranded on newly created islands.

Hundreds of thousands of people in Southwest Florida still don't have electricity or water. But Babcock Ranch, north of Fort Myers, was designed and built to withstand the most powerful storms.

Both men said they were putting politics aside for now as they toured areas damaged by Hurricane Ian.