83,000 Members Of Southwest Florida LGBTQ+ Community Devastated By Hurricane Ian

The devastation caused by Hurricane Ian across southwestern Florida continued coming into sharper focus as rescue crews reached the hardest-hit areas and helped thousands of those stranded by the storm to safety. Hurricane Ian slammed into southwest Florida on Wednesday afternoon. This Category 4 hurricane is one of the biggest storms to ever hit the U.S. More than 2 million people, about a quarter of the state’s utility customers, are left without power. Severe flooding has damaged homes and blocked crucial roadways, leaving many trapped. Winds reaching 150 mph have demolished houses and businesses. Over 30 people are confirmed dead following Ian’s catastrophic path through Florida. Biden and his wife, Jill, will visit Florida on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tweeted, but the couple will first head to Puerto Rico on Monday to survey the destruction from a different storm, Hurricane Fiona, which struck the US territory last month. The Ian has also affected the LGBTQ+ community of Southwest Florida as it holds three Pride Festivals, namely Cape Coral, which is the largest, Naples Pride, and Southwest Florida Pride. The hurricane has damaged the Naples Pride Center. Estimated 83,000 LGBTQ+ people residing in Lee & Collier County are at risk due to Ian.