LCSO: Nearly 1,000 rescued, 59 dead; hurricane search and rescue expected through Saturday

Tomas Rodriguez, Fort Myers News-Press
·3 min read

Authorities continue to work around the clock to identify those who died during Hurricane Ian, as well as finding potential survivors and bodies beneath the rubble.

Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said first responders have rescued more than 990 people as of Thursday afternoon.

"Unfortunately the death toll has risen to 59 total deaths," Marceno said.

Only one of the victims remains unidentified, Marceno added.

"We're working hard with family members, friends or anyone that can help us identify that body with DNA," Marceno said.

Marceno said the Sheriff's Office received 4661 welfare check requests since the start of the storm, adding that 1,235 require further investigation.

Read more: 'It was really scary' Juan Carlos Garcia tells his Hurricane Ian story

AND: Hurricane Ian aftermath on San Carlos Island five days after landfall

"That means we can't make contact," Marceno said. "We have to follow up in the field ... We have to personally gather teams to search, look, rescue ongoing."

As of Thursday, 561 of the 1,235 welfare checks have concluded after those people have been found safely, Marceno said.

"That's a big deal ... 674 are still under investigation," Marceno said.

Marceno said the Sheriff's Office has generated two missing person reports.

To find those still missing, Marceno said they're using drones and other technology available.

Still searching areas by car, boat

Authorities are trying to comb areas not accessible by car or boat, Marceno said.

"We are not going to quit and my family members and I are not quitting," Marceno said. "This is just the beginning."

While he was on Pine Island on Wednesday, Marceno said his team delivered food, fuel, water, temporary shelters, generators and systems to improve internet capability.

"I've seen communities all over the country come together," Marceno said. "Last night I had the ability to walk around in some communities like Harlem Heights, Pine Manor, San Carlos Park and other communities to address their needs."

Marceno also addressed the damage assessment in Bonita Springs, as well as the bridge by Lovers Key and Hickory Island.

He added there's no set date for completion.

Officials continue to work around the clock as they work to identify those who died during Hurricane Ian, as well as finding potential survivors and bodies beneath the rubble. Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said first responders have rescued over 990 people as of Thursday afternoon.
Officials continue to work around the clock as they work to identify those who died during Hurricane Ian, as well as finding potential survivors and bodies beneath the rubble. Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said first responders have rescued over 990 people as of Thursday afternoon.

"I want to come up with a solution and make this problem livable while we work for long- and short-term goals," Marceno said.

Authorities are utilizing trailers to take residents to and from their property, Marceno said.

"As far as Fort Myers Beach ... Ground zero ... The beach is still closed so the crews can perform their vital missions," Marceno said.

Urban Search & Rescue teams anticipate being done by Saturday.

"Folks, we have to do three heavy-duty searches to make certain that there is a loved one out there that's deceased that we find them," Marceno said. "And do what's right for family members and for that person."

Marceno said 3,501 structures have been checked twice.

The search is extensive, Marceno said — not only on dry land.

"There are vehicles in water that create a whole different dynamic," Marceno said. "I pray to God it's a vehicle, but that vehicle could have someone unfortunately in it."

Traffic signals repair nears completion

"Countywide traffic signals are continuously being repaired on a daily basis," Marceno said. "We will start to see the congestion start to get better every single day."

Lee County's electrical grid has been 94% restored, Marceno said.

"Once we get that electrical grid going again, we can get to a new norm traffic starts to flow," Marceno said.

More looting arrests made in Lee County

"You might walk into someone's house," Marceno said. "You will be carried out."

So far, the Sheriff's Office has made nine looting-related arrests, Marceno said.

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Twitter @TomasFRoBeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and TikTok @tomasfrodriguez.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Death toll rises to 59 in Lee County as search, rescue nears end