Florida sees rise in flesh-eating bacteria after Hurricane Ian

Florida has seen an increase in cases of flesh-eating bacteria this year, driven largely by a surge in Lee County, which was hit hardest by Hurricane Ian. There have been nearly double the number of cases so far this year compared to all of 2021.

Full repairs to Sarasota County schools could take months

Sarasota County school leaders said they’ve come a long way to get all schools open this week after Hurricane Ian, but full repairs could take months.

Hurricane Ian causes up to $1.56 billion in estimated losses to Florida agriculture industry

With its combination of punishing wind and widespread flooding, Hurricane Ian caused up to $1.56 billion in estimated losses for the state’s agriculture industry, according to a University of Florida preliminary assessment.

Volunteers help clean up Wimauma historic cemetery after Hurricane Ian

Volunteers were at Fellowship Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Wimauma on Monday, chopping up trees that fell on top of gravestones and other storm debris caused by Hurricane Ian. 

Sarasota County schools fully reopen after Hurricane Ian

Students in southern Sarasota County are returning to school on Monday after being out for nearly three weeks because of Hurricane Ian.

St. Pete Instagram account auctions off date with local for SWFL Hurricane Ian relief

It all started with a cup of coffee and a picture. People bid for a date with one bachelor to help with Hurricane Ian relief. It's a creative fundraiser that began with an Instagram account as the Southwest Florida community works to rebuild. 

Southwest Florida communities in need of baby supplies after Hurricane Ian

The executive director for the Healthy Start Coalition of Southwest Florida said they delivered resources to about 900 families before the storm. That number has tripled in the last three weeks as stores are too damaged to reopen and the ones that are open have minimal baby supplies or people don't have a way to get to one.

Thousands of meals handed out at The Salvation Army's North Port campus despite damages from Hurricane Ian

Since Hurricane Ian passed through Florida, 525,000 meals and snacks have been handed out through The Salvation Army. They've worked to help more than 12,000 people with emotional and spiritual care. 

Florida reinstating tolls after Hurricane Ian; excludes Alligator Alley, Skyway Bridge and Pinellas Bayway

Florida is slamming the brakes on toll-free roads. The fees were suspended to support evacuations and emergency preparations ahead of Hurricane Ian. Now, drivers will be paying those tolls once again, starting Oct. 15. The only exceptions are the Skyway Bridge, Pinellas Bayway, and Alligator Alley.

'Lowest form of scum': Lee County deputies arrest Orlando men for allegedly looting after Hurricane Ian

The sheriff of Lee County said five men from Orlando were posing as workers for a fake company but were stealing from inside homes on Fort Myers Beach. All are facing burglary charges.

Small business emergency loan program launched for businesses impacted by Hurricane Ian

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is launching the “small business emergency bridge loan program,” where businesses impacted by Hurricane Ian can apply for a one-term, 0% interest loan of up to $50,000.

Wauchula great ape sanctuary hunkered down as Hurricane Ian barreled across Florida

When Hurricane Ian barreled through Florida a couple of weeks ago, it wasn't just people and their pets hunkering down for dear life. Sixty-nine great apes and nearly two dozen caretakers rode out the storm at their sanctuary in Wauchula. 

North Port schools prepare to reopen after Hurricane Ian

Crews are working hard to ensure North Port schools that were hit hard by Hurricane Ian are ready for students to return to class on Monday.

Early voting days expanded in Charlotte, Lee and Sarasota counties; residents can request vote-by-mail ballots

In an executive order issued Thursday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced steps to ensure residents in Florida counties "severely impacted by Hurricane Ian" will have a chance to vote in the midterm election next month.

Innovative technology makes roads safer for drivers after future storms, prolonged power outages

In Hillsborough County, lessons learned during Hurricane Irma helped officials prepare for future storms and prolonged power outages. The innovative technology makes it safer for drivers.

It could take 6 months to identify people killed by Hurricane Ian

It's been two weeks since Hurricane Ian slammed into Southwest Florida and officials are still trying to get in contact with hundreds of missing people.