Thank you all so much for watching. Please consider donating to Tod, Annette, Roxie, and Jaxon to help them get back on their feet - www.gofundme.com/f/tod-and-annette-rocco-and-roxie
Mr. Olson and your crew, my son and I watched your live stream that horrible day. The helplessness we felt when we saw the surge. Thank you for putting this out, I checked your channel for weeks trying to hear that story. I live in Green Bay and enjoy watching your videos, the power of Hurricanes look crazy. I remember hearing you two say “we know for a fact these cranes are coming down” when you guys put up that probe.
Wow Max that was an excellent documentary! The interview with Tod and Annette is extremely important for people to hear. I grew up on the Texas Gulf coast and lived on both the east and west coast of Florida for much of my adult life. Over that time I have ridden out a few hurricanes. I was lucky to have never been through any bad ones. Mostly just a lot of wind, rain, and power outages. That, however, creates complacency......especially in Florida.
Repent and trust in Jesus. He's the only way to Heaven. We've all sinned and deserve Hell. Sins like lying, lusting, etc. Repent and trust only in Jesus, and you will be saved! You can be saved because he took the punishment for our sins on himself when he died on the cross, just like someone can pay your speeding fine in court, and you get off free. Romans 3:23 John 3:16😊❤
How fortunate that she had a life jacket and she thinking logically enough cut the strap to tie the dogs to the life vest as well as bag of important stuff. Many people would just be in panic mode and unable to even think of this stuff.
also a potentially useful footage for construction engineers if hurricanes become more common, looks like more supports need to be added to buildings along the coast to prevent them from getting washed away...
@@therearenoshortcuts9868 They are becoming more common and more powerful, if people don't do something to stop global warming, nature will decimate everything.
Repent and trust in Jesus. He's the only way to Heaven. We've all sinned and deserve Hell. Sins like lying, lusting, etc. Repent and trust only in Jesus, and you will be saved! You can be saved because he took the punishment for our sins on himself when he died on the cross, just like someone can pay your speeding fine in court, and you get off free. Romans 3:23 John 3:16❤😊❤
I can completely understand your hesitation at interviewing that couple, but the way you presented this entire event is admirable. There was no sense of sensationalism and more journalistic than most things you see. I’m glad they agreed to your interview. Well done.
You should win award for this! It shows exactly what I can’t describe in words, of how that wind came through my front yard on the back end in Punta Gorda, and shows exactly what happened at my Dads house in Fort Myers beach. We were lucky not so many others were. Thank you for documenting this.
@@MaxOlsonChasing You’re welcome! I only saw what was going on through my windows, so THANK YOU again for what you did in documenting this. Things are moving along. It’s heartbreaking to go down to the beach and see that. It will be built back in time. Even more so heartbreaking are the lookielous and the ridiculous amount of stupid questions from people who want to know about whether or not their vacations will happen. When I see questions like this I link them to your documentary for the answers. Stay well and be safe! ❤
Repent and trust in Jesus. He's the only way to Heaven. We've all sinned and deserve Hell. Sins like lying, lusting, etc. Repent and trust only in Jesus, and you will be saved! You can be saved because he took the punishment for our sins on himself when he died on the cross, just like someone can pay your speeding fine in court, and you get off free. Romans 3:23 John 3:16❤😊❤
I visited Ft.Myers 6 months after Ian. It was my first time in Florida. The devastation was still very much apparent. I talked to locals and heard their stories. Man, i have the deepest respect for those folks. Their bravery, their sense of comunity and the pride in their community. Some of the friendliest and most resiliant people I have ever met. Some had nothing and were quick to invite me to a cookout in thier rubble strewn yards. Their homes were completely gutted and they still wanted to cook for and feed me! They showed this Pennsylvanian southern hospitality! I ended up throwing a big cookout at my rental for all of those wonderfully kind folks. Florida residents, dont change! Keep that perserverance and pride. To the folks of Ft.Myers, thanks for the stories and the good time, you guys are out of this world!
Ian, Helene, now Milton. Folks who were just now getting back on their feet after Ian were made vulnerable by Helene, and then Milton finished the job. And SO MANY MORE manufactured homes down there then when I lived in SW Florida a decade ago. How good Florida gets at picking up the pieces wont matter if the state doesn't get proactive.
I’m from Ft Myers but now live in Virginia. I visit Ft Myers Beach with my sister every year and we stay at the DiamondHead, which is about 100 yards behind this camera. When I first saw your video right after the storm, I thought, “That’s the Lani Kai and there’s the red house!” Your probe must have been about 15-16 feet up on that pole. This footage is an absolute must-watch for anyone wanting to know about storm surge and the force behind the wind and water. What incredible footage! Tod and his family are a testament to the power of wanting to survive. I hope Tod and his family continue with their recovery and I wish them all the best. Stunning on all accounts.
Wow thank you for sharing! I'm so thankful we got to see Ft Myers Beach the day before the storm, it seemed like such a beautiful, quaint area with a lot of history. So heartbreaking to see so much of it washed away...
@@MaxOlsonChasing Ft Myers Beach was an amazing place - some shops had been there since I was a kid and I’m 61. But, you can’t keep SW Floridians down. They’ll be back. I think they may try to rebuild with that old-time feeling. At least, I hope so!
@@pilotgal6191 The sad part about it is, many of the quaint little shops are gone and now replaced by the monster consumer, over priced margaritaville! The old Ft. Myers Beach is gone. I certainly hope margaritaville fails!
Thanks for posting this. 44 Days later this part of Florida continues to suffer. So many are living in their cars, no help from insurance, FEMA, other countries, or other sources. I wish you could document more of the afermath and how so many of us are left to our own devices. This is a discrace and this part of Florida is suffering. So many people lost their homes, cars, loved ones, and cheerished memories. If anyone reading this has never donated money to a charity, this would be a great time to help the people of Southwest Florida. I thank you for sharing this documentary. Pray you never have to be a part of a natural distaster of this magnitude.
What I love the most is, it really gives everyone a reality check. Shows us just how powerful mother nature really is. Anything is possible. That's why we have warnings and evacuations. Thanks for being the brave soul to get this footage and information. Without people like you, there's so much we wouldn't understand. ☺️ Stay safe out there.
For the first time in my 70+ years, I get the perception of what going through a hurricane would be like only lead to a small degree, but still a way better picture than I ever had. Thank you for such excellent coverage. At one time, I thought I would like to experience it, your video dispelled that for once and for all. Hopefully it’s a wake up. Call to anyone who thinks they can ride it out.
I'm watching your video and getting tears in my eyes. We live in fort myers and stayed home for the hurricane. Never again. We just put the House up for sale and are moving back to Michigan. Thank God the house was ok. It was terrifying!
I have so many questions 😮 like for one how did you not know that florida gets hurricanes.??? For two why stay in a area during a cat 5 and not take shelter.?? 😒 For three so your originally not from florida.?, I mean no harm in any of my questions. I just don't understand people who move to a state that is known for hurricanes and then complain about it afterwards. ??? I honestly don't know what to do or how to survive in a Snow Storm.. but I know Michigan has snow storms 😂 and I definitely would not take a chance on moving to a state that will freeze me out.. I think people should be more aware of where they are moving to that's all..
ESPECIALLY after hurricane Irma just grazing through the area in 2017. Locals viewed it as a joke like a lot of hurricanes. This time around they were so wrong. Many people died because "It's just a storm, I've lived here all my life" kind of bullshit. A lot of deaths is because it was not taken seriously enough. People tend to not understand the power of water. It is absolutely devastating to witness.
So I am one of the people who stayed and rode out the hurricane in the area. I own a house in Port Charlotte but rode it out where I grew up in Fort Myers. It's not that it was viewed as a joke but a lot of us didn't have anywhere to go. The evacuation notices didn't go out until Tuesday and by that point there was no gas and no where or time to evacuate. My notice for Port Charlotte and North Port didn't go out until 11:30 Tuesday night. Also besides Irma there weren't any severe hurricanes to hit Southwest Florida since hurricane Charley which was in 2004. This hurricane did the same Charley did and turned last minute. A lot of us really just didn't have a choice
@@pinkrizo3815 10s of thousands of Floridians in SWFL stayed and rode out Ian. Including myself. If you’re not on the beach or near, more often than not you’ll be fine. The only thing that surprised me with this storm was the storm surge flooding my neighborhood even though We are 4 to5 miles away from the beach
Wow. Chilling video. We live in south Louisiana, and I have become so frightened of hurricanes, that we leave for any storm over a Cat 1. We have a camper for the sole use of evacuating. We have 3 dogs and 2 cats that we could never leave behind, and having the camper provides a home away from home - at least until it is safe to head home. It is also comforting to me to know that we would have a place to live if our house is damaged. Even if we decide to stay, the camper would probably flip in the driveway in high winds. We left last year Hurricane Ida, and returned home to a devastated community from wind damage. We had a direct hit. By the grace of God, our levees held. I watched Ian approach Florida with anxiety knowing it was going to be very bad. PTSD is very real after a hurricane, and these people will need time to process. It does get better, but it will take a long time. My thoughts are with them every day.
Yeah we were supposed to be in port st Joe for Michael, we are from there but live by Pensacola. We had planned to go back but we saw Michael coming and were like ok noooo. Good call. We live about 40mi inland from the coast here now and I often think about what we will do if we get something like Michael as a direct hit. Ivan tore the roof off this house when it hit here and blew away a shed. So even inland with our hurricane shutters and in a solid brick home nowhere near any water at all, we worry. My husband was saying we should leave today for Helene I was like nah we aren’t even gonna get wind! Just a little breeze and some rain is what we have gotten. We get spooked now. We lost a child to terminal cancer so that probably plays a part in the anxiety and fear, what if we choose wrong and someone else dies? It’s a lot. Anyway my prayers and love to any and all who have been affected by this storm, and Helene and any and all storms in the past and the ones to come. We are Floridians and we deal with them because it’s what we do, the price we pay to live in the world’s most amazing and beautiful place. But it’s often a very high price and it breaks my heart. I just hope people realize stuff can be replaced but people cannot. Trust me when I say that because I know. God bless all y’all. Stay safe ❤️
Also our house in Mexico beach was destroyed, we lived on the beach there and it was just…gone. Our other house in St Joe Beach was ok but it was just lucky. Scary stuff as you never know.
Having a camper sounds great and convenient. Although, I hope you find shelter away from the harsh winds. I guess you drive A LONG distance from the disaster ?
My dad lived in that house for years. I loved it there so much...when I saw it collapse I started sobbing because I thought I saw people were still in there. I can't be sad about the house knowing that you all made it out alive and well.
@@gary8241 right next to the Lani Kai...there was the hotel slightly behind it to the left when you are standing at the door and facing the street there
That Ft. Myers footage is definetely a gem for studying hurricane behavior and anatomy. If you watch the trees, you will notice the change of wind direction after the eye passes during the time-lapse portion of the video at the 27:15 mark.
10.5 months later and I’m just now coming across this video and it’s anxiety inducing; it breaks my heart. I live just a few miles north of St. Petersburg and for a brief period of time we were fairly certain we were going to get hit with possibly the worst storm of our lifetime. We evacuated north to Spring Hill (first time evacuating). I remember watching TV feeling so grateful that Tampa Bay was spared but at the same time I was mortified watching what was unfolding down at Fort Myers Beach. The drive south back home was eerie. Not a word was said during that car ride. To this day it’s hard watching any of the footage. Thank you for making this documentary. You did a great job documenting what happened while also being cognizant of the magnitude of what happened throughout making this video. I appreciate your carefulness and humility. As we get closer to the peak of hurricane season 2023 I can’t help but have Ian in my mind. Let’s hope this year isn’t destructive.
I am so relieved to see that Todd and Annette and their puppos survived!!!! It's absolutely devastating how dangerous Ian became. Thank you for sharing their story and making this video. I lived in Fort Myers when it hit, running a restaurant on Sanibel Island with my parents. We stayed at our apartment in Fort Myers and rode the hurricane out. While we didn't lose any personal things, we did lose our restaurant. It was our first hurricane, too, as we've been living there for two years at that point. I don't think anyone was prepared for it to be as devastating as it was. 🥺
Thank you for this footage. Almost 2 years later and it’s still so shocking to me. I’ve lived in SWFL my entire life. This was the worst hurricane I’ve ever experienced. I remember listening to the radio coverage once the power went out and heard them talking about how high the surge was. I sat on my couch and cried because I had never heard or seen such devastation. It was something I’ll never forget 😔
How we felt after Michael here in the panhandle so we understand. We are from PSJ and we had moved to near Pensacola so weren’t home when it happened but when we went back after, it was unreal. All the trees on Tyndall were just gone. Panama City and Mexico Beach, all of it was so different, the trees were gone and the light was different, very disorienting and frankly very odd. And the devastation was unreal. So hard to know others go through it and suffer as well. My love and prayers to all affected by all these storms. God bless y’all.
I live in Marion county Fl. Didn’t experience anything like this heroic couple experienced. What you went through is unfathomable. I admire you sharing your story.
Absolutely incredible documentary Max; really impactful and incredibly important for anyone who is in a potential area where storm surge could impact. I'm so glad Todd, Annette and their dogs are OK and that you got to meet them and help them share their incredible story with the world.
@@MaxOlsonChasing I can't even imagine, I could see how affected you were in the lead up to their interview on the video. Look after yourself friend, this stuff is hard to deal with, not only for those impacted directly but those witnessing it too.
Absolutely incredible and wild footage. I used to live and grew up in the Englewood, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda areas until the end of 2019. So many of my friends and close coworkers homes were destroyed during this event. Prayers for all affected. ❤
I'm so sorry to hear that, those winds were on the higher end of what I've experienced. It was undoubtedly a generational storm that will be talked about for a long time.
Saw your documentary on Ida, and I gotta say, it was really impressive and detailed! Ian was an absolute monster, and the footage your surge cam got was truly phenomenal. Can't wait to watch this one!
@@MaxOlsonChasing 100%, these last few Hurricane Seasons have been exceptionally devastating in the USA. For the sake of places like Louisiana and SWFL, hopefully we enter a period like 2005-2016 going forward.
@@ETHANWXCHASING I think you mean 2006-2015. But yea, I get your point. Unfortunately 2022 was a 6 week delayed version of the 2004 season. Nature tends to repeat itself. It would seam that 2005 would be the analog.
Hello from the Philippines. This is the documentary I’m waiting for. Love your content, Max. Hoping that the region will fully recover from the hurricane.
@@MaxOlsonChasing Absolutely, Max. So much stories about those who were affected by super typhoons. But right now, our country is currently being affected by TS Nalgae (locally known as Paeng). Widespread flooding and landslides across much of the country. Hoping that people affected will receive immediate aid.
My family and I live on ft myers beach and decided to ride out the storm. It was the most terrifying day of my life and my family’s. We have a 2 story house and we in the second story. We had 7 and half feet of in our home. We lost everything on the first floor and all of our cars. But we all lived thankfully. We did have to make last minute plans if something happened or the surge kept coming up. No one will ever be able to describe the fear you have during that time and being trapped for hours. The next day going out was heartbreaking and asking anyone you saw if they were okay. Swapping stories of what it was like in our homes. We heard stories of those that didn’t make it and how others barely survived. We never left our home and have other stories of how we were treated by officials and a lot of them aren’t good. Even if you don’t think the storm will be that bad, leave just in case. We could’ve easily lost our lives and all our animals.
The footage from the surge in Ft Meyers is beyond anything I’ve ever seen. The water got SO HIGH, SO QUICK! Insane!!!!! So happy to hear from Tod & Annette
Best documentary I’ve seen so far. I was in Port Charlotte and the footage you showed there was exactly what I experienced . I’ve watched other videos and they just didn’t seem to show the intensity that we experienced here . Your footage and the story that went along with it was incredible. To the woman who went out with your dogs tied to you , you are a real bad A . Just know that. I hope the rest of your life is the best of your life because you’re a hero
Amazing documentary, truly. Captivated the whole way through and especially the end when Tod and Annette told their story, seem like great people and they're blessed to have made it. I live in Cape Coral and also made the mistake of riding it out, and while our street and surrounding area did get flooded it was no where near Fort Myers beach level bad. We didn't even get water in our apartment complex thanks to the elevation of our parking lot and the spot we're built on being high enough to avoid it, albeit only by several feet away. Goes to show with your great footage how much worse it could've been if I hadn't been so lucky and yet my luck pales in comparison to Tod and Annette and their dogs for making it out alive.
I was born in Fl and my family have survived 2 hurricanes that were Cat 4-5. Andrew in Miami ,my youngest son in Ft.Myers with Ian. Thank you for showing this video, when the leaders of your city say Get Out for your safety…DO IT.
Born and raised, Lee county FL!!! Im hearing from multiple first responders that death toll is much higher than reported. Praise God that they lived along with their 2 dogs. Max you are a real pro!
Incredible work Max and thank you for putting together this video and sharing the story, it’s very powerful and hard hitting. Take care out there and safe chasing!
I am shocked and impressed at the same time. This work and documentation is so important to show just how dangerous such a storm can be. With your contribution you save lives.
Stellar story-telling and documentation Max, thanks for putting this together and sharing Tod and Anette's harrowing experience, hopefully their story can help others who face similar misfortune.
Thank you for sharing this! I am so glad that couple and their dogs made it out alive. It has always amazed me how the water can get all the way from where the beach is to there. This truly puts it in perspective. Thank you again.
Max thank you for making this video. People need to see what can really happen. It’s hard to imagine when it’s a place you don’t know or haven’t seen for yourself - it only feels like a movie. Seeing a familiar place that I grew up in, hits so close and hard.
Just returned from a trip to Ft. Meyers. While they've done a great job on the cleanup you still see a random boat here and there where they are not supposed to be and lots of construction going on. We went to one bar that had an Ian Water Line on the wall and it was terrifying to see. I can't imagine how scary it was for Tod & Annette. Great job documenting the storm.
I am so greatful that you put the interview on here. I knew someone was in the house, but didn't know their outcome, I just knew in my mind they had perished. Thanks again, what a relief.
Fantastic Video Max, I rode out the storm in the Port Charlotte/ Punta Gorda area on the north side of the eyewall to avoid the onshore flow. I passed by that spot where US41 crosses the Peace River where you see those cranes collapsing. That must have happened right before I drove passed, you probably have footage of my little blue Honda FIT going by to cross the bridge. At the time I had no idea of how bad the surge had been just south of our position, I only realized the next day when reports and footage started coming in and I just had this overwhelming guilty feeling sweep over as I got to go back to my home north of Tampa while so many others didn't make it out. You continue to improve your craft with every release man, great job.
Thank you so much Celton. I'm sure I did catch you driving by, I was surprised those cranes held for so long and even more surprised they both failed at the exact same time. Wild stuff
This is an absolutely incredible video. The interview with the family is bone chilling. I am Florida native and chaser myself. Because of my experience with chasing cane's since I was a 9 y/o with Ivan in '04 (thanks mom for driving me lol) and surviving Michael I know first hand the power a Cat4/Cat5 can do. I am also a Public Adjuster, and Ian was the first big storm I worked (I worked the back end of Sally in '20 and Ida in '21 but those were relatively "minor" in terms of wide spread destruction). I actually represented the folks who own the yellow 3 story house in the background at 15:38. I inspected the property with the adjuster from the insurance company towards the end of October. It was right around sunset, and there was a massive complex of sea breeze storms over the inland lee county area (backside of the house) while the sun was simultaneously setting over the gulf (front side). Of course, everyone knows that a setting sun makes for an absolutely photogenic thunderstorm display. Our inspection concluded and I walked on to the third floor balcony (it would be where the transformer is on the right side pole in between the probe and beach access marker, from the frame at 15:38) and took easily my best photograph in 28 years of living. The setting sun illuminating a bolt throwing sea breeze monster set as the backdrop for a scene of pure, raw and unparalleled destruction. Over the last year and a half I have heard story after story, told stories of my own (as somebody who came down to chase Ian and road it out near Venice, close to Englewood) and met quite literally thousands of SwFl residents but this video and interview is one of the best stories I have seen. Thank you as always for your fantastic work. If a storm brings you towards the Gulf Coast look me up! I'd love to collab with you!
Thanks Max for an excellent documentary on Hurricane IAN, I have friends who went to Ft Myers and other areas, they took trailer full of all kinds of supplies, toilet paper, dippers, cases & cases of water, 500 lbs of chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs ect ... a huge Bar B Q cooker and a large boat so the could do search and rescue. While out searching he said they saw things that they could never un see. They were not prepared to see hundreds of dead bodies everywhere in and around canals, He said the stench would make you gag. Can you verified this? Do you see dead bodies? The News Media has said nothing about this except to say there was hardly any life lost. I have other sources that have said the same thing.
We did unfortunately see bodies the following morning but not in the hundreds, the stench was noticeable in areas of highly concentrated manufactured homes that were all destroyed near the canal. A few weeks later there was a different noticeable stench from all of the mold and trash piled up sitting in the sun.
There was an smell in Cape Coral in the mornings starting a few days after for a couple weeks. We were fairly close to Matlacha. They're still finding remains, two this past week.
This really shows what could happen, I was living in Polk county in Davenport and I stayed in my 23' travel trailer when the eye came over and the winds were coming in at 85 miles an hour. My RV felt like at any moment I was going to tip over, I could feel it lift and hit the ground, next time I am heading out.
Great video Max. While you were riding it out in Port Charlotte, I was about 5 miles away riding it out at home. Fort Myers got the storm surge but we got 5 1/2 hours of eye wall winds (never in the eye itself) and 22" of rain in 12 hours. We didn't have houses float away, but we had flooding for days and it seems half the houses here wound up with a couple of feet of water in them. And as the rivers drained down our flooding only got worse - and finally cut off I-75 entirely which is 22-25 feet above sea level. You talk about evacuation but you'll see at 4:30 why no one left. It wasn't supposed to land here. The TV shows it all - Category 1 landing on Thursday. Instead, we got a storm that was 2MPH shy of a Category 5 landing on Wednesday - and that TV shot was from just 2 days prior.
I just went to fort myers beach today for work and let me tell ya, it still hasn't changed much :[ I drove right by whete your footage was and his story had me teary eyed. God bless
One of the best documentaries I've seen. Very powerful and emotional towards the end. Well done Max and the team. I've been following since the Missouri Tornado. A 🇦🇺 Follower, keep up the incredible work mate. 👍
I lived in Port Charlotte that night. Lost the home I was renting. Roof flipped off and landed on my property. Those hrs were rough and will forever never forget the intensity.. great video!!
Thank you for sharing! I use to live in Florida, went through a couple hurricanes but now I live in Arizona. I was a kid, but I remember how scary they were. I would have never stayed in anything on the beach during a hurricane. I am SOOOOO happy to see they survived. I had anxiety watching the footage, and when I saw the house go, I REALLY had anxiety and started looking through the comments. Thank you for linking this video to the other. They are truly blessed and had God watching out for them.
Max, thank you for sharing this. Watching Todd and Annette's house be destroyed was sad until I heard Todd and Annette's story and then it became heartbreaking. This is one of the best storm chasing videos I've ever seen. I've watched some of your previous storm chases in years past- you're an excellent videographer and story teller. May Annette and Todd and the doggos be recovering well.
I live in Okeechobee, FL and when Ian was over the western tip of Cuba, I knew then it wasn't going to Tampa. Since Hurricane Andrew, when I lived in Miami, I watch all the storms very closely. Since moving to Okeechobee in 1995, I felt safer here, but even so, in 04 we had Hurricane Frances and then Jeanne back to back, and I saw my neighbors houses get destroyed. I also lived in Captiva in 92-93 and it was so sad to see so much devestation after Ian. Thank you to Todd and Annette for sharing their harrowing nightmare, and Thank God they survived. This story shows that when you are told to evacuate, it's time to go. You can replace your things but you cannot replace your life. Much Love to all, and I pray that we do NOT have any major hurricanes in FL this season.
I live in port charlotte and man that was one storm. I got the left side eye wall for the full 8-10 hours that the storm raged on. We never seen the eye but was so close to it, it was scary not knowing what was happening. All we can see and hear was the wind and the sounds. Will never forgot that day.
I came across this video and I had to watch it. It was very compelling. What Todd, Annette and their 2 beautiful dogs went through is nothing but miraculous. We were in Jamaica for my daughter's wedding when Hurricane Ian came through the Caribbean. We were very lucky it passed under under us and we only had one morning of rain. We left to come back home to Toronto on the 28th and our flight had to be diverted because of the hurricane hitting Florida. When I saw the news the next day, after our arrival home, I couldn't believe the devastation the hurricane left, especially in the Ft. Myers and Sanibel Island area. My heart goes out to the people that didn't make it and their families. To Todd and Annette, all the best to you and thank god you survived this terrible storm. Max and your crew.....absolutely amazing documentary and like some people have commented, you deserve some sort of an award.
Thanks for the video, it is important for me as I have a condo 12 miles south in Bonita Springs. Across From barefoot beach and Docs. This gave me a visual of what happened to my building. Although most of the units had no or minimal damage the ground floor was wiped out ,it contained the electrical supply, backup elevator generator and the water pump for the units, but also fire suppression. Building will be closed for almost a year. Amazing story of the couple who ended up in the water and being blow across the canal. I would love to know what height the water level was at that location ?. I have seen the beginning video many times on TH-cam , but never seen this one at max height. There is another story of a man who was locked out of his condo and was blown with the water into a small bay near me. He was eventually was blow back to near his condo and someone let him back in. I was watching the water levels at Naples pier CAM untill the feed was lost. Some time in the morning. I would love to have the times in your video of when the water came in and went back out at the time of maximum height , or a timeline in you video. Thanks again. I might look into getting a camera like yous as well.
I’m watching your documentary with chills and tears the entire time. I live in Orlando and Ian was strong as f wind gusts that I stayed up through the night sitting at my front door making sure no tornadoes were gonna come I have a son and an elderly mom I’m responsible for and watching that thinking about being in their situation left me broken but so thankful they made it out! I’m not casting judgement by any means because I can guarantee you that as many hurricanes as I’ve been through I’ve never been through a storm surge and I would’ve stayed also!
Absolutely unbelievable! I remember seeing that same footage of the storm surge getting higher and higher and I could not believe what I was seeing as I watched 16 foot storm surge pick up, and carry away an entire house. I had no clue there were people still inside.
We lost our entire home in the same storm just a couple miles away from this home. Absolutely horrific and really appreciate the footage and story as there was not a lot of other coverage. Brings tears to my eyes.
I've watched this like, I don't know how many times. I'm friends with a friend of Tod's. I was here during the entire thing. I only got 4-5 feet of water where I was in a mobile home 4 miles away. I have my own story but definitely does not compare to this.. Incredible! Thank you for the forethought to set everything up the way you did. I heard from my friend that Tod's arm healed up nicely with no infections. Praise God!
This is the best Ian hurricane video captured the destruction. I went to the Fort Myers, Sanibel & Captive beaches yesterday 07/04/2024; these beaches still ghost beaches with destroying almost 2 years. We were very emotional to see how destructive badly by mother nature. thank you very much for your team very brave to video the history hurricane
Thank you all so much for watching. Please consider donating to Tod, Annette, Roxie, and Jaxon to help them get back on their feet - www.gofundme.com/f/tod-and-annette-rocco-and-roxie
Mr. Olson and your crew, my son and I watched your live stream that horrible day. The helplessness we felt when we saw the surge. Thank you for putting this out, I checked your channel for weeks trying to hear that story. I live in Green Bay and enjoy watching your videos, the power of Hurricanes look crazy. I remember hearing you two say “we know for a fact these cranes are coming down” when you guys put up that probe.
I'm so glad they're safe but I can't imagine the possible PTSD they're going through because of this 😢
Wow Max that was an excellent documentary! The interview with Tod and Annette is extremely important for people to hear. I grew up on the Texas Gulf coast and lived on both the east and west coast of Florida for much of my adult life. Over that time I have ridden out a few hurricanes. I was lucky to have never been through any bad ones. Mostly just a lot of wind, rain, and power outages. That, however, creates complacency......especially in Florida.
Repent and trust in Jesus. He's the only way to Heaven. We've all sinned and deserve Hell. Sins like lying, lusting, etc. Repent and trust only in Jesus, and you will be saved! You can be saved because he took the punishment for our sins on himself when he died on the cross, just like someone can pay your speeding fine in court, and you get off free.
Romans 3:23
John 3:16😊❤
Storm in Florida again; where are these people today? 😢
How fortunate that she had a life jacket and she thinking logically enough cut the strap to tie the dogs to the life vest as well as bag of important stuff. Many people would just be in panic mode and unable to even think of this stuff.
The probe on Ft. Myers Beach will go down in Hurricane History as one of the most impressive footage ever captured during a storm.
Amazing!
also a potentially useful footage for construction engineers
if hurricanes become more common, looks like more supports need to be added to buildings along the coast to prevent them from getting washed away...
@@therearenoshortcuts9868 They are becoming more common and more powerful, if people don't do something to stop global warming, nature will decimate everything.
Repent and trust in Jesus. He's the only way to Heaven. We've all sinned and deserve Hell. Sins like lying, lusting, etc. Repent and trust only in Jesus, and you will be saved! You can be saved because he took the punishment for our sins on himself when he died on the cross, just like someone can pay your speeding fine in court, and you get off free.
Romans 3:23
John 3:16❤😊❤
@@christianweatherbroadcastingI am a Christian to
@@christianweatherbroadcasting I hate people like you.
I can completely understand your hesitation at interviewing that couple, but the way you presented this entire event is admirable. There was no sense of sensationalism and more journalistic than most things you see. I’m glad they agreed to your interview. Well done.
You should win award for this! It shows exactly what I can’t describe in words, of how that wind came through my front yard on the back end in Punta Gorda, and shows exactly what happened at my Dads house in Fort Myers beach. We were lucky not so many others were. Thank you for documenting this.
I really appreciate you watching Dina, I'm so glad you made it through the storm. How are things down there right now?
@@MaxOlsonChasing You’re welcome! I only saw what was going on through my windows, so THANK YOU again for what you did in documenting this. Things are moving along. It’s heartbreaking to go down to the beach and see that. It will be built back in time. Even more so heartbreaking are the lookielous and the ridiculous amount of stupid questions from people who want to know about whether or not their vacations will happen. When I see questions like this I link them to your documentary for the answers. Stay well and be safe! ❤
Repent and trust in Jesus. He's the only way to Heaven. We've all sinned and deserve Hell. Sins like lying, lusting, etc. Repent and trust only in Jesus, and you will be saved! You can be saved because he took the punishment for our sins on himself when he died on the cross, just like someone can pay your speeding fine in court, and you get off free.
Romans 3:23
John 3:16❤😊❤
Omg I'm so so happy to see this couple and their dogs made it. My heart smiled.
I visited Ft.Myers 6 months after Ian. It was my first time in Florida. The devastation was still very much apparent. I talked to locals and heard their stories. Man, i have the deepest respect for those folks. Their bravery, their sense of comunity and the pride in their community. Some of the friendliest and most resiliant people I have ever met. Some had nothing and were quick to invite me to a cookout in thier rubble strewn yards. Their homes were completely gutted and they still wanted to cook for and feed me! They showed this Pennsylvanian southern hospitality! I ended up throwing a big cookout at my rental for all of those wonderfully kind folks. Florida residents, dont change! Keep that perserverance and pride. To the folks of Ft.Myers, thanks for the stories and the good time, you guys are out of this world!
Ian, Helene, now Milton. Folks who were just now getting back on their feet after Ian were made vulnerable by Helene, and then Milton finished the job. And SO MANY MORE manufactured homes down there then when I lived in SW Florida a decade ago. How good Florida gets at picking up the pieces wont matter if the state doesn't get proactive.
I’m from Ft Myers but now live in Virginia. I visit Ft Myers Beach with my sister every year and we stay at the DiamondHead, which is about 100 yards behind this camera. When I first saw your video right after the storm, I thought, “That’s the Lani Kai and there’s the red house!” Your probe must have been about 15-16 feet up on that pole.
This footage is an absolute must-watch for anyone wanting to know about storm surge and the force behind the wind and water. What incredible footage! Tod and his family are a testament to the power of wanting to survive. I hope Tod and his family continue with their recovery and I wish them all the best.
Stunning on all accounts.
Wow thank you for sharing! I'm so thankful we got to see Ft Myers Beach the day before the storm, it seemed like such a beautiful, quaint area with a lot of history. So heartbreaking to see so much of it washed away...
@@MaxOlsonChasing Ft Myers Beach was an amazing place - some shops had been there since I was a kid and I’m 61. But, you can’t keep SW Floridians down. They’ll be back. I think they may try to rebuild with that old-time feeling. At least, I hope so!
@@pilotgal6191 The sad part about it is, many of the quaint little shops are gone and now replaced by the monster consumer, over priced margaritaville! The old Ft. Myers Beach is gone. I certainly hope margaritaville fails!
Thanks for posting this. 44 Days later this part of Florida continues to suffer. So many are living in their cars, no help from insurance, FEMA, other countries, or other sources. I wish you could document more of the afermath and how so many of us are left to our own devices. This is a discrace and this part of Florida is suffering. So many people lost their homes, cars, loved ones, and cheerished memories. If anyone reading this has never donated money to a charity, this would be a great time to help the people of Southwest Florida. I thank you for sharing this documentary. Pray you never have to be a part of a natural distaster of this magnitude.
What I love the most is, it really gives everyone a reality check. Shows us just how powerful mother nature really is. Anything is possible. That's why we have warnings and evacuations. Thanks for being the brave soul to get this footage and information. Without people like you, there's so much we wouldn't understand. ☺️
Stay safe out there.
Thank you so much for the kind word, Jeanette. I really hope this video and these stories resonate with people for future storms.
For the first time in my 70+ years, I get the perception of what going through a hurricane would be like only lead to a small degree, but still a way better picture than I ever had. Thank you for such excellent coverage. At one time, I thought I would like to experience it, your video dispelled that for once and for all. Hopefully it’s a wake up. Call to anyone who thinks they can ride it out.
I'm watching your video and getting tears in my eyes. We live in fort myers and stayed home for the hurricane. Never again. We just put the House up for sale and are moving back to Michigan. Thank God the house was ok. It was terrifying!
I have so many questions 😮 like for one how did you not know that florida gets hurricanes.??? For two why stay in a area during a cat 5 and not take shelter.?? 😒
For three so your originally not from florida.?,
I mean no harm in any of my questions. I just don't understand people who move to a state that is known for hurricanes and then complain about it afterwards. ???
I honestly don't know what to do or how to survive in a Snow Storm.. but I know Michigan has snow storms 😂 and I definitely would not take a chance on moving to a state that will freeze me out..
I think people should be more aware of where they are moving to that's all..
ESPECIALLY after hurricane Irma just grazing through the area in 2017.
Locals viewed it as a joke like a lot of hurricanes.
This time around they were so wrong. Many people died because "It's just a storm, I've lived here all my life" kind of bullshit.
A lot of deaths is because it was not taken seriously enough.
People tend to not understand the power of water.
It is absolutely devastating to witness.
Pussies😂
So I am one of the people who stayed and rode out the hurricane in the area. I own a house in Port Charlotte but rode it out where I grew up in Fort Myers. It's not that it was viewed as a joke but a lot of us didn't have anywhere to go. The evacuation notices didn't go out until Tuesday and by that point there was no gas and no where or time to evacuate. My notice for Port Charlotte and North Port didn't go out until 11:30 Tuesday night. Also besides Irma there weren't any severe hurricanes to hit Southwest Florida since hurricane Charley which was in 2004. This hurricane did the same Charley did and turned last minute. A lot of us really just didn't have a choice
@@pinkrizo3815 10s of thousands of Floridians in SWFL stayed and rode out Ian. Including myself. If you’re not on the beach or near, more often than not you’ll be fine. The only thing that surprised me with this storm was the storm surge flooding my neighborhood even though We are 4 to5 miles away from the beach
Wow. Chilling video. We live in south Louisiana, and I have become so frightened of hurricanes, that we leave for any storm over a Cat 1. We have a camper for the sole use of evacuating. We have 3 dogs and 2 cats that we could never leave behind, and having the camper provides a home away from home - at least until it is safe to head home. It is also comforting to me to know that we would have a place to live if our house is damaged. Even if we decide to stay, the camper would probably flip in the driveway in high winds. We left last year Hurricane Ida, and returned home to a devastated community from wind damage. We had a direct hit. By the grace of God, our levees held. I watched Ian approach Florida with anxiety knowing it was going to be very bad. PTSD is very real after a hurricane, and these people will need time to process. It does get better, but it will take a long time. My thoughts are with them every day.
Incredibly glad we didn't return to Louisiana for a storm chase this year, you all have had it rough the past few seasons.
Yeah we were supposed to be in port st Joe for Michael, we are from there but live by Pensacola. We had planned to go back but we saw Michael coming and were like ok noooo. Good call. We live about 40mi inland from the coast here now and I often think about what we will do if we get something like Michael as a direct hit. Ivan tore the roof off this house when it hit here and blew away a shed. So even inland with our hurricane shutters and in a solid brick home nowhere near any water at all, we worry. My husband was saying we should leave today for Helene I was like nah we aren’t even gonna get wind! Just a little breeze and some rain is what we have gotten. We get spooked now. We lost a child to terminal cancer so that probably plays a part in the anxiety and fear, what if we choose wrong and someone else dies? It’s a lot.
Anyway my prayers and love to any and all who have been affected by this storm, and Helene and any and all storms in the past and the ones to come. We are Floridians and we deal with them because it’s what we do, the price we pay to live in the world’s most amazing and beautiful place. But it’s often a very high price and it breaks my heart. I just hope people realize stuff can be replaced but people cannot. Trust me when I say that because I know. God bless all y’all. Stay safe ❤️
Also our house in Mexico beach was destroyed, we lived on the beach there and it was just…gone. Our other house in St Joe Beach was ok but it was just lucky. Scary stuff as you never know.
Hope you're still safe and well and if this Milton Hurricane is in your path that you're able to get away safely
Having a camper sounds great and convenient. Although, I hope you find shelter away from the harsh winds.
I guess you drive A LONG distance from the disaster ?
My dad lived in that house for years. I loved it there so much...when I saw it collapse I started sobbing because I thought I saw people were still in there. I can't be sad about the house knowing that you all made it out alive and well.
Could you tell me exactly where that pink house was located?
@@gary8241 right next to the Lani Kai...there was the hotel slightly behind it to the left when you are standing at the door and facing the street there
@@aprilmae274 I found the street view on googlemaps.
So many vacant lots
That Ft. Myers footage is definetely a gem for studying hurricane behavior and anatomy. If you watch the trees, you will notice the change of wind direction after the eye passes during the time-lapse portion of the video at the 27:15 mark.
10.5 months later and I’m just now coming across this video and it’s anxiety inducing; it breaks my heart. I live just a few miles north of St. Petersburg and for a brief period of time we were fairly certain we were going to get hit with possibly the worst storm of our lifetime. We evacuated north to Spring Hill (first time evacuating). I remember watching TV feeling so grateful that Tampa Bay was spared but at the same time I was mortified watching what was unfolding down at Fort Myers Beach. The drive south back home was eerie. Not a word was said during that car ride. To this day it’s hard watching any of the footage.
Thank you for making this documentary. You did a great job documenting what happened while also being cognizant of the magnitude of what happened throughout making this video. I appreciate your carefulness and humility. As we get closer to the peak of hurricane season 2023 I can’t help but have Ian in my mind. Let’s hope this year isn’t destructive.
I am so relieved to see that Todd and Annette and their puppos survived!!!! It's absolutely devastating how dangerous Ian became. Thank you for sharing their story and making this video. I lived in Fort Myers when it hit, running a restaurant on Sanibel Island with my parents. We stayed at our apartment in Fort Myers and rode the hurricane out. While we didn't lose any personal things, we did lose our restaurant. It was our first hurricane, too, as we've been living there for two years at that point. I don't think anyone was prepared for it to be as devastating as it was. 🥺
Holy crap Max, that was outstanding. Great structure and storytelling - all around phenomenal documentary of the event.
Means a lot coming from you, Stephen! I still can’t believe the series of events…
Incredible video. The interview at the end, and your footage make for one of the best hurricane videos / story ever. Thanks for sharing Max.
Really means a lot man, thank you so much!
Thank you for this footage. Almost 2 years later and it’s still so shocking to me. I’ve lived in SWFL my entire life. This was the worst hurricane I’ve ever experienced. I remember listening to the radio coverage once the power went out and heard them talking about how high the surge was. I sat on my couch and cried because I had never heard or seen such devastation. It was something I’ll never forget 😔
How we felt after Michael here in the panhandle so we understand. We are from PSJ and we had moved to near Pensacola so weren’t home when it happened but when we went back after, it was unreal. All the trees on Tyndall were just gone. Panama City and Mexico Beach, all of it was so different, the trees were gone and the light was different, very disorienting and frankly very odd. And the devastation was unreal. So hard to know others go through it and suffer as well. My love and prayers to all affected by all these storms. God bless y’all.
I live in Marion county Fl. Didn’t experience anything like this heroic couple experienced. What you went through is unfathomable. I admire you sharing your story.
I'm still glad to hear you made it through alright!
Absolutely incredible documentary Max; really impactful and incredibly important for anyone who is in a potential area where storm surge could impact. I'm so glad Todd, Annette and their dogs are OK and that you got to meet them and help them share their incredible story with the world.
I'm still in shock about the entire ordeal, it honestly doesn't feel real. I can only imagine what Tod and Annette are going through in their minds...
@@MaxOlsonChasing I can't even imagine, I could see how affected you were in the lead up to their interview on the video. Look after yourself friend, this stuff is hard to deal with, not only for those impacted directly but those witnessing it too.
Absolutely incredible and wild footage. I used to live and grew up in the Englewood, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda areas until the end of 2019. So many of my friends and close coworkers homes were destroyed during this event.
Prayers for all affected. ❤
I'm so sorry to hear that, those winds were on the higher end of what I've experienced. It was undoubtedly a generational storm that will be talked about for a long time.
I have watched tons of videos on Ian, but this one, by far, was the absolute best! Well done, sir!
Saw your documentary on Ida, and I gotta say, it was really impressive and detailed! Ian was an absolute monster, and the footage your surge cam got was truly phenomenal. Can't wait to watch this one!
Thank you so much for coming back to check this one out, hope we can put a pause on these catastrophic events for a while!
@@MaxOlsonChasing 100%, these last few Hurricane Seasons have been exceptionally devastating in the USA. For the sake of places like Louisiana and SWFL, hopefully we enter a period like 2005-2016 going forward.
@@ETHANWXCHASING I think you mean 2006-2015. But yea, I get your point. Unfortunately 2022 was a 6 week delayed version of the 2004 season. Nature tends to repeat itself. It would seam that 2005 would be the analog.
Hello from the Philippines. This is the documentary I’m waiting for. Love your content, Max. Hoping that the region will fully recover from the hurricane.
Wow thank you so much! I'm sure you have some harrowing stories from super typhoons out there!
@@MaxOlsonChasing Absolutely, Max. So much stories about those who were affected by super typhoons.
But right now, our country is currently being affected by TS Nalgae (locally known as Paeng). Widespread flooding and landslides across much of the country. Hoping that people affected will receive immediate aid.
My family and I live on ft myers beach and decided to ride out the storm. It was the most terrifying day of my life and my family’s. We have a 2 story house and we in the second story. We had 7 and half feet of in our home. We lost everything on the first floor and all of our cars. But we all lived thankfully. We did have to make last minute plans if something happened or the surge kept coming up. No one will ever be able to describe the fear you have during that time and being trapped for hours. The next day going out was heartbreaking and asking anyone you saw if they were okay. Swapping stories of what it was like in our homes. We heard stories of those that didn’t make it and how others barely survived. We never left our home and have other stories of how we were treated by officials and a lot of them aren’t good. Even if you don’t think the storm will be that bad, leave just in case. We could’ve easily lost our lives and all our animals.
The footage from the surge in Ft Meyers is beyond anything I’ve ever seen. The water got SO HIGH, SO QUICK! Insane!!!!! So happy to hear from Tod & Annette
Never seen anything like it @12:25. And I was in this down in Ft. Myers. Plus I've watched dozens of footage from around SWF. This video is stunning.
Best documentary I’ve seen so far. I was in Port Charlotte and the footage you showed there was exactly what I experienced . I’ve watched other videos and they just didn’t seem to show the intensity that we experienced here . Your footage and the story that went along with it was incredible. To the woman who went out with your dogs tied to you , you are a real bad A . Just know that. I hope the rest of your life is the best of your life because you’re a hero
Amazing documentary, truly. Captivated the whole way through and especially the end when Tod and Annette told their story, seem like great people and they're blessed to have made it. I live in Cape Coral and also made the mistake of riding it out, and while our street and surrounding area did get flooded it was no where near Fort Myers beach level bad. We didn't even get water in our apartment complex thanks to the elevation of our parking lot and the spot we're built on being high enough to avoid it, albeit only by several feet away. Goes to show with your great footage how much worse it could've been if I hadn't been so lucky and yet my luck pales in comparison to Tod and Annette and their dogs for making it out alive.
I was born in Fl and my family have survived 2 hurricanes that were Cat 4-5. Andrew in Miami ,my youngest son in Ft.Myers with Ian. Thank you for showing this video, when the leaders of your city say Get Out for your safety…DO IT.
By the time anyone said get out, it was already too late....no gas and nowhere to go.
Scariest day of my entire life. I'm grateful they made it out of their house alive❤️
You and me both! Where did you ride out the storm?
@@MaxOlsonChasing South Fort Myers off of Summerlin and Lakewood behind Lakes Park
@@Buttermilk-biscuits90 so very happy to hear you made it. Prayers for you and your family as well as everyone else who had to endure this tragedy. 🙏
@@chelseafuller8412 thank you 🥰
Happy you’re alive!!!!
Born and raised, Lee county FL!!! Im hearing from multiple first responders that death toll is much higher than reported. Praise God that they lived along with their 2 dogs. Max you are a real pro!
Amazing video. Thanks for all the support that everyone has sent to this area. It's amazing to see and it's so helpful for those who lost everything.
Incredible work Max and thank you for putting together this video and sharing the story, it’s very powerful and hard hitting. Take care out there and safe chasing!
Phenomenal work man. That’s a incredible real, raw story of survival.
Thank you so much man!
Mind bending reality ...wow . Saw the original footage when it happened ...and now this
...words escape me ~
I am shocked and impressed at the same time. This work and documentation is so important to show just how dangerous such a storm can be. With your contribution you save lives.
This is my 3rd time watching this documentary and it never gets old. I was right there a few weeks before the hurricane.
Absolutely astounding footage and interviews. I am just flabbergasted.
Thanks so much, Brian!
Stellar story-telling and documentation Max, thanks for putting this together and sharing Tod and Anette's harrowing experience, hopefully their story can help others who face similar misfortune.
Greetings from Germany..unbelievable film.
Thank you for sharing this! I am so glad that couple and their dogs made it out alive. It has always amazed me how the water can get all the way from where the beach is to there. This truly puts it in perspective. Thank you again.
Max thank you for making this video. People need to see what can really happen.
It’s hard to imagine when it’s a place you don’t know or haven’t seen for yourself - it only feels like a movie. Seeing a familiar place that I grew up in, hits so close and hard.
Your compassion and respectfulness is abundant 🙏🙏🙏
Great work, Max. Great story and editing. Very impressive.
Thank you so much David, I really enjoyed your video as well!
Just returned from a trip to Ft. Meyers. While they've done a great job on the cleanup you still see a random boat here and there where they are not supposed to be and lots of construction going on. We went to one bar that had an Ian Water Line on the wall and it was terrifying to see. I can't imagine how scary it was for Tod & Annette. Great job documenting the storm.
This is a very well put together documentary, Best of its kind. Thank you for Helping that Family Max. Would love to see your channel grow.
I am so greatful that you put the interview on here. I knew someone was in the house, but didn't know their outcome, I just knew in my mind they had perished. Thanks again, what a relief.
Fantastic Video Max, I rode out the storm in the Port Charlotte/ Punta Gorda area on the north side of the eyewall to avoid the onshore flow. I passed by that spot where US41 crosses the Peace River where you see those cranes collapsing. That must have happened right before I drove passed, you probably have footage of my little blue Honda FIT going by to cross the bridge. At the time I had no idea of how bad the surge had been just south of our position, I only realized the next day when reports and footage started coming in and I just had this overwhelming guilty feeling sweep over as I got to go back to my home north of Tampa while so many others didn't make it out. You continue to improve your craft with every release man, great job.
Thank you so much Celton. I'm sure I did catch you driving by, I was surprised those cranes held for so long and even more surprised they both failed at the exact same time. Wild stuff
@@MaxOlsonChasing yeah, probably both rated to tolerate the same wind speed.
This is an absolutely incredible video. The interview with the family is bone chilling. I am Florida native and chaser myself. Because of my experience with chasing cane's since I was a 9 y/o with Ivan in '04 (thanks mom for driving me lol) and surviving Michael I know first hand the power a Cat4/Cat5 can do. I am also a Public Adjuster, and Ian was the first big storm I worked (I worked the back end of Sally in '20 and Ida in '21 but those were relatively "minor" in terms of wide spread destruction). I actually represented the folks who own the yellow 3 story house in the background at 15:38. I inspected the property with the adjuster from the insurance company towards the end of October. It was right around sunset, and there was a massive complex of sea breeze storms over the inland lee county area (backside of the house) while the sun was simultaneously setting over the gulf (front side). Of course, everyone knows that a setting sun makes for an absolutely photogenic thunderstorm display. Our inspection concluded and I walked on to the third floor balcony (it would be where the transformer is on the right side pole in between the probe and beach access marker, from the frame at 15:38) and took easily my best photograph in 28 years of living. The setting sun illuminating a bolt throwing sea breeze monster set as the backdrop for a scene of pure, raw and unparalleled destruction. Over the last year and a half I have heard story after story, told stories of my own (as somebody who came down to chase Ian and road it out near Venice, close to Englewood) and met quite literally thousands of SwFl residents but this video and interview is one of the best stories I have seen. Thank you as always for your fantastic work. If a storm brings you towards the Gulf Coast look me up! I'd love to collab with you!
Thanks Max for an excellent documentary on Hurricane IAN, I have friends who went to Ft Myers and other areas, they took trailer full of all kinds of supplies, toilet paper, dippers, cases & cases of water, 500 lbs of chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs ect ... a huge Bar B Q cooker and a large boat so the could do search and rescue. While out searching he said they saw things that they could never un see. They were not prepared to see hundreds of dead bodies everywhere in and around canals, He said the stench would make you gag. Can you verified this? Do you see dead bodies? The News Media has said nothing about this except to say there was hardly any life lost. I have other sources that have said the same thing.
We did unfortunately see bodies the following morning but not in the hundreds, the stench was noticeable in areas of highly concentrated manufactured homes that were all destroyed near the canal. A few weeks later there was a different noticeable stench from all of the mold and trash piled up sitting in the sun.
There was an smell in Cape Coral in the mornings starting a few days after for a couple weeks. We were fairly close to Matlacha. They're still finding remains, two this past week.
This really shows what could happen, I was living in Polk county in Davenport and I stayed in my 23' travel trailer when the eye came over and the winds were coming in at 85 miles an hour. My RV felt like at any moment I was going to tip over, I could feel it lift and hit the ground, next time I am heading out.
Crazy storm & story. This is the definition of Real Talk listening to Tod speak.
I followed you live that day and appreciate this follow up documentary and a huge THANK YOU !!
Great video Max. While you were riding it out in Port Charlotte, I was about 5 miles away riding it out at home. Fort Myers got the storm surge but we got 5 1/2 hours of eye wall winds (never in the eye itself) and 22" of rain in 12 hours. We didn't have houses float away, but we had flooding for days and it seems half the houses here wound up with a couple of feet of water in them. And as the rivers drained down our flooding only got worse - and finally cut off I-75 entirely which is 22-25 feet above sea level.
You talk about evacuation but you'll see at 4:30 why no one left. It wasn't supposed to land here. The TV shows it all - Category 1 landing on Thursday. Instead, we got a storm that was 2MPH shy of a Category 5 landing on Wednesday - and that TV shot was from just 2 days prior.
I just went to fort myers beach today for work and let me tell ya, it still hasn't changed much :[ I drove right by whete your footage was and his story had me teary eyed. God bless
Thank you for doing this video. Of the actual footage.. but most of all the respectful update on this family …. 🙏🙏🙏
What an awesome interview. Storytelling at its finest. Only this was real.
Stunning. Excellent work as always Max.
One of the best documentaries I've seen. Very powerful and emotional towards the end. Well done Max and the team. I've been following since the Missouri Tornado. A 🇦🇺 Follower, keep up the incredible work mate. 👍
I lived in Port Charlotte that night. Lost the home I was renting. Roof flipped off and landed on my property. Those hrs were rough and will forever never forget the intensity.. great video!!
The fact that this storm is not covered much or talked about is insane... I have never been so scared my whole life. #survivor
My thoughts exactly
I was with u guys All day during the storm,lost you,but u guys came back!
Amazingly put together! Rode this monster out just south of you in Punta Gorda. That back eye wall was something different…
Thank you for sharing! I use to live in Florida, went through a couple hurricanes but now I live in Arizona. I was a kid, but I remember how scary they were. I would have never stayed in anything on the beach during a hurricane. I am SOOOOO happy to see they survived. I had anxiety watching the footage, and when I saw the house go, I REALLY had anxiety and started looking through the comments. Thank you for linking this video to the other. They are truly blessed and had God watching out for them.
Max, thank you for sharing this. Watching Todd and Annette's house be destroyed was sad until I heard Todd and Annette's story and then it became heartbreaking. This is one of the best storm chasing videos I've ever seen. I've watched some of your previous storm chases in years past- you're an excellent videographer and story teller. May Annette and Todd and the doggos be recovering well.
I miss U Florida ☀️☀️☀️
Thank You for this documentary
Greetings from Eastern Europe ☀️
Incredible peoples 💛💛💛💛
Florida is heaven but it can be hell. You are always welcome here, we love Eastern Europeans here ❤️
0:01 I was there, right in the middle of Port Charlotte. Out of all the storms i went through, Ian was the one where I almost died.
This is one of the most harrowing stories I have ever seen or heard! Brought tears to my eyes!
I live in Okeechobee, FL and when Ian was over the western tip of Cuba, I knew then it wasn't going to Tampa. Since Hurricane Andrew, when I lived in Miami, I watch all the storms very closely. Since moving to Okeechobee in 1995, I felt safer here, but even so, in 04 we had Hurricane Frances and then Jeanne back to back, and I saw my neighbors houses get destroyed. I also lived in Captiva in 92-93 and it was so sad to see so much devestation after Ian. Thank you to Todd and Annette for sharing their harrowing nightmare, and Thank God they survived. This story shows that when you are told to evacuate, it's time to go. You can replace your things but you cannot replace your life. Much Love to all, and I pray that we do NOT have any major hurricanes in FL this season.
I wish your prayers had come true…Helene is trashing the big bend now and I pray for them. And I pray that this is the last one of the season.
incredible footage. I saw it early on, so I am glad to know the full story and the creators story
I live in port charlotte and man that was one storm. I got the left side eye wall for the full 8-10 hours that the storm raged on. We never seen the eye but was so close to it, it was scary not knowing what was happening. All we can see and hear was the wind and the sounds. Will never forgot that day.
I came across this video and I had to watch it. It was very compelling. What Todd, Annette and their 2 beautiful dogs went through is nothing but miraculous. We were in Jamaica for my daughter's wedding when Hurricane Ian came through the Caribbean. We were very lucky it passed under under us and we only had one morning of rain. We left to come back home to Toronto on the 28th and our flight had to be diverted because of the hurricane hitting Florida. When I saw the news the next day, after our arrival home, I couldn't believe the devastation the hurricane left, especially in the Ft. Myers and Sanibel Island area. My heart goes out to the people that didn't make it and their families. To Todd and Annette, all the best to you and thank god you survived this terrible storm.
Max and your crew.....absolutely amazing documentary and like some people have commented, you deserve some sort of an award.
Thank you for taking the time and effort to make such an impactful video. This is seriously one of the best documentaries I've ever witnessed.
I like to watch weather documentaries about hurricane studies.
Man,I’ve seen a few.
Thank you for being brave and getting it done.
The fact they floated by you in that random house 3 hours later was 1 million % God watching over you! ❤️🙏❤️
Thank you all for your incredible work continued prayers go out to all.
Thanks for the video, it is important for me as I have a condo 12 miles south in Bonita Springs. Across From barefoot beach and Docs. This gave me a visual of what happened to my building. Although most of the units had no or minimal damage the ground floor was wiped out ,it contained the electrical supply, backup elevator generator and the water pump for the units, but also fire suppression. Building will be closed for almost a year. Amazing story of the couple who ended up in the water and being blow across the canal. I would love to know what height the water level was at that location ?. I have seen the beginning video many times on TH-cam , but never seen this one at max height. There is another story of a man who was locked out of his condo and was blown with the water into a small bay near me. He was eventually was blow back to near his condo and someone let him back in. I was watching the water levels at Naples pier CAM untill the feed was lost. Some time in the morning. I would love to have the times in your video of when the water came in and went back out at the time of maximum height , or a timeline in you video. Thanks again. I might look into getting a camera like yous as well.
A true momma right there!!!! ❤️🙏❤️
This made me cry.
I have 5 fur babies. And I wouldn’t go anywhere without them.
The noise of the wind gusts are something you'll never forget.
I’m watching your documentary with chills and tears the entire time. I live in Orlando and Ian was strong as f wind gusts that I stayed up through the night sitting at my front door making sure no tornadoes were gonna come I have a son and an elderly mom I’m responsible for and watching that thinking about being in their situation left me broken but so thankful they made it out! I’m not casting judgement by any means because I can guarantee you that as many hurricanes as I’ve been through I’ve never been through a storm surge and I would’ve stayed also!
I live in Punta Gorda florida. This video brings back so many memories of what we all have been through. I will never forget this day. 😢
This video was interesting to watch very well done ✅
Absolutely unbelievable! I remember seeing that same footage of the storm surge getting higher and higher and I could not believe what I was seeing as I watched 16 foot storm surge pick up, and carry away an entire house. I had no clue there were people still inside.
God bless this couple, their fur babies and YOU for everything you went through 🙏🙏
I am so happy they survived!! I watched the surge video first and now the documentary.
Amazing footage of the storm and of the miracle.
The music at the very end where you show the sped up footage was really fantastically compelling and totally fit the mood btw.
Great work Max! What a story.
I really appreciate that Nenah ❤
So chilling. Fort Myers is home. Ian was so crucial to you all. & you all remain so strong. So admirable. ❤
I live in Fort Myers. Gonna take a while to rebuild the coastal areas but we'll get there. Nice couple. Really glad they made it. Great documentary.
We lost our entire home in the same storm just a couple miles away from this home. Absolutely horrific and really appreciate the footage and story as there was not a lot of other coverage. Brings tears to my eyes.
I've watched this like, I don't know how many times. I'm friends with a friend of Tod's. I was here during the entire thing. I only got 4-5 feet of water where I was in a mobile home 4 miles away. I have my own story but definitely does not compare to this.. Incredible!
Thank you for the forethought to set everything up the way you did.
I heard from my friend that Tod's arm healed up nicely with no infections. Praise God!
Incredible footage. Thank you so much for this
Excellent job on this film. I live in Fort Myers and it will take years for everything to get back to normal
Yes! Been waiting for this one. Making my Friday night. Got my Dinner and ready to go!
This is the most well put together video Ive ever came across 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
This is the best Ian hurricane video captured the destruction. I went to the Fort Myers, Sanibel & Captive beaches yesterday 07/04/2024; these beaches still ghost beaches with destroying almost 2 years. We were very emotional to see how destructive badly by mother nature. thank you very much for your team very brave to video the history hurricane
An absolutely amazing story, incredible footage, and inspirational people and dogs. Glad they are alive, thanks to them others will also live.