Hurricane Ian Rescues: Floridians Brave Storm To Help Neighbors

FLORIDA — Hurricane Ian wreaked havoc on Florida homes, businesses and communities when it slammed into the state’s southwest coast Wednesday as one of the most powerful hurricanes to ever hit the United States.

• Stay up-to-date by viewing all Hurricane Ian coverage on Patch here.

Still, neither flooding nor devastating storm surge could deter some Floridians from stepping in and helping their neighbors — and, in some cases, their four-legged friends — when they needed it most.

Just hours after Ian made landfall, flooding homes on the state's east and west coasts and knocking out electricity to 2.67 million, videos and photos surfaced of Good Samaritans rescuing people from submerged cars to employees “partying” with flamingos in a makeshift restroom shelter.

One video that quickly stole the internet’s heart was posted by Megan Cruz Scavo. In the video, her boyfriend carefully trudges through the raging storm surge to rescue a terrified orange and white cat from the top of an air conditioning unit.

Mike Ross, who was sheltering with his parents near Bonita Beach, told The Washington Post he “couldn’t fathom” leaving the cat there. Scooping the cat off the AC unit, Ross held it tightly against his chest as he brought him inside.

Ross and Scavo are planning to keep the cat unless they locate his owners, they told The Post. Fittingly, they named the cat Ian.

Meanwhile, Scavo launched a GoFundMe fundraiser in honor of Ian. Half the proceeds will be donated to the Naples Humane Society, according to the page.

“Neighbors helping neighbors. Thanks so much for your kindness,” Illustrated Dogs tweeted in response to the video.

“That cat will never leave his side or shoulders,” Dan Gaidula tweeted.

“I’m sorry, Megan, but he is everyone’s boyfriend now. I don’t make the rules,” offered Twitter user Lulu Mac.

In Bonita Springs, a group of men called the “Collier County Cowboys” braved waist-deep floodwaters to rescue an elderly man who was stranded in his submerged car, according to a video shared by multiple outlets.

One man even went back to grab the driver’s hat and belongings.

In Naples, broadcast footage shows a 7News cameraman placing his gear on the ground and running to help a family with young children. According to an NBC News report, the cameraman was helping the family move things to higher ground.

In Fort Myers, a man risked his own safety to rescue his pets from a boat, NewsNation reported. A television crew from the station was on hand to catch the harrowing moment and also lend a hand, watching the man’s dog when he went back for his cat.

Meanwhile, staff at Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg stayed behind to make sure animals were safe during the storm.

“We're hunkered down!” staff tweeted Wednesday. “Our animals are safe w/staff on site to see them through the storm. The flamingos are having a hurricane party in the bathroom; eating, drinking, & dancing.”