Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno addresses recovery nearly one week after Hurricane Ian

Within 24 hours, the number of recorded deaths in Lee County attributed to Hurricane Ian has decreased by six. The death toll now sits at 53.

Six days after Hurricane Ian pounded Lee County, Sheriff Carmine Marceno says his deputies are tiring, with no end in sight.

His crew has helped with 842 rescues and recovered 55 bodies, he said Tuesday at Getaway Marina, near Matanzas Bridge on Fort Myers Beach.

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Nine of the bodies recovered remain unidentified, Marceno said.

Marceno added the sheriff's office has played catch-up on 3,800 delayed calls for service.

"Lee County Sheriff's Office is currently on Alpha Bravos," Marceno said about his deputies working 12-hour shifts.

Marceno said deputies aren't able to return home with their families.

"We worry about burnout ... We worry about a relief factor," Marceno said. "We're going to utilize our local, state and federal partners to make sure that we have the sufficient manpower to relieve those that have pushed it beyond the limits and working straight around the clock."

Marceno said they've gotten help from the National Guard, as well as sheriff's offices and first responders nationwide.

"In minutes and hours, a lot of people had their lives washed away," Marceno said.

Eight statewide Urban Search & Rescue teams continue to help in a three-phased recovery process, Marceno said.

They are supported by 60 statewide military troops.

Damage by districts

Marceno said Bonita Beach has experienced significant damage in its south district.

"We want to keep people away from the roadways and the bridges for their safety," Marceno said.

Marceno stressed that the beach area remains closed.

He also addressed barges being used to deliver goods, water and machinery for residents in the barrier islands.

Additionally, Marceno said a temporary ferry service is in the works to help Sanibel residents.

"We know people want to get back ... They want to see their homes ... They want to see if they have a home," Marceno said. "They want to grab a photo album ... Things that cannot be replaced by insurance or money."

Marceno expressed gratitude for Gov. Ron DeSantis hurry in replacing the damaged Sanibel Causeway bridge, as well as Matlacha Bridge to Pine Island.

The Florida Department of Transportation is working on a temporary bridge starting Monday, Marceno said.

The temporary bridge could be finished by Saturday, he added.

"We're talking about immediate assistance and decision-making to get that done," Marceno said.

Marceno added 45% of damaged traffic signals have been fixed. Florida Power & Light is nearly 70% complete replacing downed power lines.

Looting

Marceno said they currently have four cases of looting, all of which resulted in arrests.

"Our residents are going to be safe," Marceno said.

Two of those arrests happened on Bonita Beach; one in the Bonita Bay neighborhood, he said.

Medical Examiners numbers

Florida District Medical Examiners report hurricane deaths to the Medical Examiners Commission following examinations and confirming the death is storm-related.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement staffs the Florida Medical Examiners Commission.

As of Monday evening, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement recorded 68 statewide hurricane deaths.

Lee County accounts for more than two-thirds.

Deaths by county:

  • Charlotte County: 2

  • Collier County: 4

  • Hardee County: 1

  • Hendry County: 1

  • Hillsborough County: 1

  • Lake County: 1

  • Lee County: 45

  • Manatee County: 3

  • Polk County: 2

  • Sarasota County: 3

  • Volusia County: 5

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: Hurricane Ian: Lee Sheriff says 6 days, 12-hour shifts take toll