In the beginning of April, my husband, son and I took a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. and Fort Myers, Fla. - splitting the week into vacationing at two different areas.

Our entire time in Florida was pleasant, and it was a wonderful trip. During our time in Fort Myers, however, it was also devastating to see the damage still left from Hurricane Ian.

Ian hit the state September 2022 and traveled north up the country. Just a few weeks ago, the National Hurricane Center upgraded Ian to a category 5. Originally, it was declared a category 4.

Along with this opinion piece are photos I took while on vacation. Viewing photos is one thing; seeing the areas in person is another. It was sad to see wires down; branches in piles along the road; and more brown, dead vegetation than green, thriving and alive trees, bushes and other plants. Motor homes are completely destroyed, and many businesses are closed.

What also pierced my heart was listening to the stories of residents who endured the horrific effects of Ian. Many are still enduring this tragedy.

A waitress at one of the restaurants that reopened in Fort Myers told my family she still cannot live on the first floor of her house, and her insurance is giving her trouble about providing coverage from Ian’s damage. The insurance company wants the Federal Emergency Management Agency to cover expenses, and FEMA wants her insurance to cover them.

There is this battle between sides when a mom and her kids just want a comfortable and safe home to live in. She took a second job - waitressing - to help pay for needs and expenses. Our country can do better than this for its residents.

To help the residents of Florida, donate at habitat.org/page/Hurricane-Ian.

Two other locations we visited were Sanibel and Captiva islands, neighbors to Fort Myers. A favorite local spot for my family is Key Lime Bistro, now closed due to Ian’s strike.

J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, located in Sanibel, reopened the beginning of April, which meant we were able to visit the site. Although not all trails are open because cleanup is still occurring, many are, as well as the visitors center. We were lucky to be able to see some beautiful birds on our visit to “Ding.”

To find out more about “Ding,” visit dingdarlingsociety.org. To donate to the refuge, visit dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/annual-membershipdonation.

Often times when a tragedy hits, the community, country and world come together in solidarity, to pray, donate and volunteer however and whatever they can. As time goes on, the severity of the situation becomes less dire in our minds, and we continue with the normalcy in our own lives. But the problem is still there.

We cannot forget about our friends in Florida.

Stacey Koch

editorial assistant

Whitehall-Coplay Press

Northampton Press

Catasauqua Press