Stories from Hurricane Ian
The Andrews Family
Alex Andrews and her husband moved to Naples 4 years ago from Dallas. Each day since Hurricane Ian devastated Southwest Florida’s coast, Alex and her family have rallied volunteers, donors, businesses, churches, and other groups of people to help our town’s most vulnerable. Her swift response initiated a snowball effect of giving and serving, now under the umbrella of Lean on Local, a network of support for hurricane relief. I’m so pleased to share Alex’s story with you.
Tell us about yourself and your family.
Alex: Raising our 4 boys in a beachside, laid-back city has been a dream for us, and Naples is such a nice change in pace after living in Dallas for 15 years. John and I met in college on the soccer fields where we both played, and we still spend our days together at soccer fields, watching our boys and spending time with friends.
What prompted you to lead this relief effort?
Alex: In 2017, we still lived in Dallas, and after Hurricane Harvey flooded much of Houston, we spent Labor Day weekend ripping out soaked drywall and flooring, and carrying loads of people’s possessions to the curb. At the time, our boys were 4, 5, and 8, and they worked alongside us through every long, grueling day. As difficult as the work and sadness around us was to process, we also came away from that weekend with such incredible memories and a deep sense of purpose to show up for the dirty work, so no one had to walk that challenging road alone.
When Hurricane Ian hit SWFL, we never really questioned or even discussed what to do next — we simply reacted and rallied as many others as possible.
During the storm, my parent’s home in Naples flooded. They were not in town, and Wednesday evening, John went to check on their house. We were some of the first people out after the storm went through, and it was almost apocalyptic – it was shocking to see our neighborhoods and streets flooded, rushing rivers in the roadside canals, and streets just a few away from ours entirely underwater. We felt helpless and terrified, but ready to do anything we could to help.
John drove to my parent’s home that night to check the damage. When he finally he made it home, the shock and grief on his face said it all. The Naples we knew had been destroyed.
For us, Thursday morning was go-time. We prioritized removing water and wet furniture from my parent’s home. We shared the word with as many friends as possible via Instagram. Throughout the day, multiple friends joined us and helped us clear and dry out my parent’s home. During that time, an elderly neighbor stopped to check on his home. We had never met, but reassured him if he needed help, our crew of friends and coworkers could assist him. He wasn’t ready to allow strangers into his home, and was too distressed to talk, but I left my number with his home-care aide, and they left.
An hour later, they were back, and he hesitantly asked for help. We jumped right in, and our crew grew with each plea for help we sent out. The friends who couldn’t work in homes watched our kids so we could continue working. Others brought food and water; still others helped by spreading the word and enlisting additional help.
One neighbor in need turned into more. Soon we had crews at three homes on the block and complete strangers reaching out to us via Instagram to ask for help, to offer support, or to see if we could check on friends and family in the area. Because service was so hard to come by, Instagram updates were the easiest way to communicate quickly. If I could get one reel to upload, our entire friend and family network knew where to show up to help. More and more volunteers stepped up, so my Instagram updates became a morning and evening routine.
Because most of the updates were on social media, non-locals started supporting in other ways by sending Venmo donations, gift cards, Amazon orders, and so much more. Complete strangers would find my posts and reach out, offering their support or asking questions; we gave advice as best as possible.
While I was coordinating donations, my husband worked sunup to sundown to clean out homes in some of the most heavily damaged areas. It was exhausting and draining, but neither of us could stop: the need was so big, and we just kept showing up and trying to help. On the Sunday following Ian, one Instagram message changed everything. A woman reached out to me – she hadn’t heard from a friend who was a single mom, in a flood zone and without power. I was floored by what I saw as I pulled into the neighborhood. Street after street of flooded homes, families hauling their ruined possessions to the curb, and no aid agencies or help in sight. Our community hopped into action. We made as many sandwiches as we could the next day and delivered coolers of food to residents.
While there, we met Sharon and Doug, an elderly couple in need of help. Doug was in a wheelchair due to a recent amputation. Flood waters reached his neck before neighbors rescued them and pulled them to a home on higher ground. Sharon relies on a walker. Their adult son also was there but could not save both parents and their dog by himself in the raging floodwaters. Five days after the storm, they were still living in the hurricane soaked home.
The next day, a crew showed up to begin cleaning. We learned Doug had been in his wheelchair since the flood, and he needed was a recliner. We found a recliner, and it was delivered the next day. Some of our group took Sharon and Doug under their wings to help them get medications, complete paperwork, and begin restoring their home.
This same level of need was everywhere. We knew we needed to take big action. We planned a large-scale event for Oct. 6. We wanted it to be a source of help and hope – live music, food trucks, professional chefs preparing food on the grill, even cotton candy and popcorn machines were present to set a tone of joy. Our volunteers walked each family through a pop-up shop of clothing, necessities and cleaning supplies, helping gather for the immediate. They also consulted on further needs to establish a long-term support network within the community.
Now, we are diligently working to fulfill needs like diapers, formula, cleaning supplies, and food, while also gathering the furniture and bigger items needed for a fresh start. Recovery will be a long process, and we want to develop a support network to walk alongside communities for the next year and beyond as we continue rebuilding. Next, we are headed to Fort Myers, setting up similar pop-up events to help schools and families replenish clothing and supplies as they prepare to reopen classrooms.
What are the greatest needs in terms of hurricane recovery?
Alex: Individuals and communities need long-term support. We are working to create a network of both volunteers and professionals to support those affected in a sustainable, long-term way. The needs go far beyond what is visible, so we’d like to establish strategic relationships with any individuals who can help achieve a support network: insurance consultants, mental health professionals, employers, and beyond. The people and companies who have already come together is vast: Arthrex, QE, Pure Barre Naples, Gulf Community Church, and Tree of Life Church have been so generous. More individuals than I could ever name from near and far make up Lean on Local. We’re just a group of friends pulling together as many people and resources as possible to make a big impact.
The Builes Family
Stephanie and Andres had just moved into a rental property in Fort Myers with their three children and Stephanie’s mother the weekend before Hurricane Ian struck. Unexpected flooding forced the family to flee their house during the storm. They lost their home and all their worldly possessions. Stephanie shared the story of what they experienced with me – both during the storm surge and in the weeks that have followed.
Tell us about your family.
Stephanie: We’re a Hispanic American family of 5. My husband, Andres, and I have been married for 16 years, and we have three children: Ruben, Leslie (9), and Luke (5). I am a stay-at-home homeschool mom and my husband is a law enforcement deputy trainee. He’ll be done with the police academy in February. We love the Lord and spending any time together as a family -- bowling, mini golf, fishing, watching movies, going out to eat.
Tell us about what happened to your family during Hurricane Ian.
Stephanie: We had just moved into our house on September 24. We were busy unpacking, organizing, and preparing for the hurricane the way we always had – gathering food, radios, candles, and water, and putting up shutters. The morning of the hurricane, we woke up to the noise of the wind, and we lost power around 8 a.m. Though my husband was aiding in community efforts at a local shelter, we were calm. My two younger kids were playing. My mom and I were folding laundry by candlelight. My oldest (Ruben) was trying to keep up with all the latest news about Ian. Around 12:30 p.m., I opened our front door, and I noticed our cul-de-sac flooding, but our neighbors who had lived there for many years told us that was common, so I closed the door confident it wouldn’t get much worse. Around 1 p.m., Leslie and Luke were playing again in the homeschool room, when Leslie let me know that Luke had spilled his water. My mom went to clean it up but instead she said “The water is coming in the house!” I froze a bit. Within 30 minutes, water started coming in everywhere. You could hear the water in the walls. I told my two younger ones to sit on the couch. Luke asked if we were going to die; I knew we had to leave.
My husband called at almost the same time; as soon as I told him what was happening, he said he’d come to get us. Ten minutes later, he called back to tell me that the whole neighborhood was flooding, and that he could not get to us. The waters were too high. We were going to have to walk a few blocks. I prepped the kids with what was about to happen, grabbed a bookbag with their toothbrushes, directed my oldest to grab our dog, and directed my mom to drop the bags she had packed. We opened the front door -- water gushed in, and we walked out. My mom took a picture of us; she thought, “if I don’t make it, they’ll hopefully find the phone and know what happened.” She’s 71 and not too strong, so she kept falling behind until two men saw us and helped. One of the men eventually found me and carried my 5 year old for me. My daughter was petrified and crying hysterically. To keep her calm, I told her to repeat, “The Lord is my shepherd, and the Lord is my Savior.” It helped her catch her breath. Ruben was holding onto our dog – I’m so proud of him for that. We made it to my husband, and all of us wept together.
What would you say to others who have lost their homes – lost everything they have? What was it like for you?
Stephanie: To anyone who has experienced hardship due to Ian, I’d say first and foremost to seek comfort in the Lord. Lean into Him and His Word. Ask for help. It’s not always easy to do. It certainly wasn’t easy for me, but there are people out there (many who you probably don’t even know) who want to help. Let them.
What has it been like for your family in the weeks after losing your home?
Stephanie: I have prayed over our community and for each person who has supported us during this time. Many of these people I don’t even know! I thank God for moving their hearts to provide for our tangible needs. I recognize that as much as we lost, we have gained even more where it matters most -- our hearts. Our hearts overflow with the love we’ve felt from others – we’ve experienced God’s love in a new way. That experience makes what we went through bearable and even filled with joy.
The Main Family – Helping and Restoring
As waters rose on Wednesday, Sept. 28, Denise and her husband, Ken, watched as the approaching storm surge flooded the ground floor of their multi-level old Florida home in East Naples. Through the storm, though, they stuck to their plan of staying put rather than attempting an escape. In the wake of the damage, their son, David Main, owner of Main Made Studios, rallied a group of Atlantic Beach (near Jacksonville) friends and employees to travel to Southwest Florida and help demo water-damaged buildings, beginning with his childhood home.
I talked with both Denise and her son, David, about their responses to Hurricane Ian.
David Main, Main Made Studios
Tell me about your family and your business. Describe the motivation behind your family’s response to Hurricane Ian.
David: My wife and I, together with our employees, run Main Made Studios in Atlantic Beach. At our custom architectural metal fabrication shop, we make railing, stairs, doors, and sculptural details. We service residential and commercial customers throughout Florida.
My wife and I have two sons: a 4 year old and a 5 month old. Its our joy growing our business and our family! Being in that stage of life, though, it would be a strain to all facets of our day-to-day to also deal with a catastrophic hurricane. I was born and raised in Naples, with many family members and friends still there. I felt called to serve my community with physical labor and whatever supplies and donations that given to me in Atlantic Beach/Jacksonville to disperse.
I knew people were going to need help in all capacities, so my employee/friend Ben and I packed my shop truck with tools, gas, generators, cleaning supplies, and drove to Naples. We helped clear out drywall and interior items from 11 houses and three businesses and sent donations out to loads of individuals affected by the hurricane, all within the first five days following the storm.
How can people support your team’s work?
David: Throughout October, November, and December, we plan to continue our efforts -- clearing out houses and businesses and distributing supplies. We’re currently using proceeds from merchandise purchases made online at mainmadestudios.com to fund supply purchases. People continue to donate through our Venmo @MainMade to buy supplies to disperse to individuals impacted by Ian during our work trips to Southwest Florida.
Denise Main (David’s mom and Naples resident)
Can you tell me about your family, your home, and the effects of Hurricane Ian?
Denise: My husband and I have been married for over 40 years; we have 4 adult children and 4 grandchildren. For us, family is everything. Ken and I have been through a lot of storms together in this life, including many hurricanes since moving to Naples from California in 1985. We decided we would stay in our home for Hurricane Ian – we made a plan to stay, and we stuck to it, even as the waters were rising from Rock Creek. Because, at a certain point, you can’t leave. It’s dangerous to leave and safer to stay.
I wasn’t scared one bit during the storm. That has to do with my faith; I’ve never been at such peace in my life. When Ken was diagnosed with cancer a couple years ago, everything changed for me. I meditate constantly on God’s promises, and I find my peace in God.
Our ground floor was flooded during the storm, but the water didn’t rise to the second floor. We had prepared and moved our furniture to higher ground. Even so, our home got significant damage. But, for us, it’s just stuff. When I stop and think about it, I recognize we lost nothing – we still have everything that matters most to us.
Tell us what happened after the waters receded.
Denise: Our son, David, who lives in Atlantic Beach, began fundraising and gathering supplies to bring right away. His crew demoed our first floor and cleared it out. People from our church – Naples First Church of the Nazarene – came everyday for seven days after the storm to help with clean-up. It was so encouraging to see our community come together. We’ve been able to continue to bless others as well – hosting our family members and other visitors here to help clear out homes and businesses.