Photos: The Aftermath of Hurricane Ian

East Avenue south, near corner the corner of Wood Street in downtown Sarasota
Image: Kim Doleatto
The worst of Hurricane Ian has passed, and officials are making their way through Sarasota to survey the damage done by the storm. The sheriff’s office is posting videos and photos on its official Twitter account.
As of this morning, no deaths have been reported in Sarasota. But Lee County Sheriff told reporters that his county's death toll is expected in the hundreds.
Here’s a look at some of the destruction wrought by Hurricane Ian so far.
Here are a few images from our Tactical First In Teams (TFIT). We began damage assessment just after midnight & started clearing routes for emergency vehicles, thoroughfares to hospitals, access to lift stations & more. We are out there in force, Sarasota County. Sit tight. pic.twitter.com/fydWRksSme
— SarasotaSheriff (@SarasotaSheriff) September 29, 2022
An oak tree crushed a car at the Arium Apartments

An overturned truck at the 14th Street roundabout in front of the Sarasota Inn

Here’s a first look at Sarasota County roadways w/our Tactical First In Teams (TFIT). It appears most of the damage is south of Venice Avenue. There are still several road obstructions including fallen trees and debris, standing water, and downed power lines. #HurricaneIan pic.twitter.com/02b7xvBLQ5
— SarasotaSheriff (@SarasotaSheriff) September 29, 2022
The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport took what appears to be some water damage, but says it plans to reopen operations by this weekend.
TAKE A LOOK: This is the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport this morning. Hurricane Ian caused damage to the American/Sun Country drop off lane. Inside, we also see roof debris and a lot of water on the ground in front of the Jet Blue ticket counter. @WFLA pic.twitter.com/tUrBlsoeyQ
— Annie Mapp (@AnnieMapp_) September 29, 2022
Patrick Novak, 63, lives in the Sherwood Forest neighborhood off Mcintosh, several houses down from a home that had a tree uprooted.
— Steven Walker (@swalker_7) September 29, 2022
He said he’s never seen a storm like Ian in his 30 years here.
“And I think we got it mildly, compared to what I’ve seen south of us,” he said. pic.twitter.com/9SVi6NpNOg
A glance at some damage along Main Street in downtown #Sarasota. Mostly seeing fallen branches and awnings along with some light fixtures cracked or knocked off their position.
— Shane Battis TV (@ShaneBattisTV) September 29, 2022
Most glass storefronts are unharmed from what I’ve seen so far. pic.twitter.com/a8A5I1wMzz
More than 2.5 million Floridians are currently without power.

As of this morning, nearly 200,000 Sarasota residents have no power.

Lee County was hit the hardest.
Aerial footage showing some of the destruction in Ft Myers… bridges are washed away and streets flooded. #HurricaneIanhttps://t.co/CnF5RTxceo pic.twitter.com/ASQEIw9P3x
— Parker Branton (@ParkerBranton) September 29, 2022
UPDATE from @ZackSampson and @cliftimestweet down in Lee County: A section of the causeway leading to Sanibel is gone, wiped away by #HurricaneIanhttps://t.co/3cEgS2h763
— Chris Tisch (@christisch1) September 29, 2022