Sharks & gators are swimming in streets
AN EXPAT living in Florida has told how he fled his home during hurricane Ian as alligators and sharks swam in residential streets.
Thomas Smart, originally from Glasgow, escaped the horror storm with wife Abby and her children just in the nick of time.
They feared for their lives as severe flooding and winds caused significant loss of life and severe damage across the state.
The couple saw alligators in driveways and sharks swimming in water in the streets of their Cape Coral neighbourhood after they made the heartbreaking decision to leave.
Images on social media show various sightings of the deadly animals as The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued a statement warning people to stay alert and steer clear.
Thomas, 49, said: “We were going to stay and ride it out but there were sharks swimming in the streets and alligators trying to find land, so they were in peoples’ driveways.
“We got out in time but haven’t been able to get in touch with my wife’s family as communication is down.
“We’re hearing reports from people who stayed behind that the water was up to their chests. Families have been on Facebook asking for people to go help but there is little that can be done.”
Motorbike salesman Thomas moved to Florida a few months ago. Abby, who has two daughters aged eight and 10, is native to the area and said the “war zone” aftermath of impact of Hurricane Ian is worse than the devastation of Hurricane Irma in 2017.
She said: “The first hurricane I went through was Irma and there was nowhere to run as it covered the whole state.
“The damage from Ian is far more significant due to the huge storm surge that came with it and how slow-moving the storm was. With winds at 150mph and the flooding, it’s like a war zone. There are whole communities that have just been wiped off the map. Bridges collapsed and roads were washed away.
“This isn’t a matter of repairing damage, it’s going to be about completely rebuilding.”
With hotels in safe areas full to capacity, Thomas and Abby were forced to stay in an Airbnb three hours away for two nights.
When the couple returned home yesterday, they were relieved to see their house is still standing – but will need significant repairs.
Abby added: “We expect to be without power for weeks so we won’t be able to work.
“We don’t know how we’ll cope financially but we have family around and they’ll be in the same boat, too, as they are mostly self-employed. We’ll stick together and hope for the best.”
Thomas added: “We are fine and our faith keeps us strong and we are blessed with good families and friends.” US president Joe Biden warned Hurricane Ian could be the deadliest in Florida’s history and officials in the state don’t yet know how many have died.
More than 700 people have been rescued from the two worst-hit areas, Charlotte and Lee Counties. Both are currently “off the grid” following power outages.
A massive search-andrescue operation is underway as the storm heads towards North and South Carolina.