Alligators and Snakes Reportedly Swarming Some Homes Destroyed by Hurricane Ian

SANIBEL (FLV) – Sanibel Fire Chief William Briscoe shared that the hurricane, which made landfall as a ferocious Category 4 storm in southwest Florida last week, damaged every home on the Sunshine State’s Barrier island of Sanibel.

“There are a lot [of] places that are not livable. There are places off their foundation, and it’s very dangerous out there,” Briscoe said.

“There are alligators running around, and there are snakes all over the place.”

Hurricane Ian knocked out several portions of the Sanibel Causeway — the only road that connects the barrier island with the mainland — when the storm wreaked havoc on the state. 

Briscoe shared that crews have already evacuated 1,000 people from Sanibel since the storm struck on Sept. 28. 

Pine Island, the largest barrier island on Florida’s Gulf Coast, is dealing with similar destruction caused by Ian. 

Supplies and food were air dropped to the island via helicopter after the storm destroyed the only bridge to get there.

“Food is being delivered to Pine Island. Now, is it enough to sustain them over a long period of time? I can’t say that yet — none of us can,” Lee County Manager Roger Desjarlais said.