Hurricane Ian: Current, former Arizonans feeling the impact of storm as it moved through Florida
PHOENIX - While Arizona is far away from Florida, and not directly impacted by Hurricane Ian, many Arizonans are still feeling the impact of the powerful tropical cyclone.
Ian, according to reports by the Associated Press, is one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the United States. The Category 4 storm slammed the coast with 150 mph (241 kph) winds and pushed a wall of storm surge accumulated during its slow march over the Gulf. More than 1.1 million Florida homes and businesses were without electricity. The storm previously tore into Cuba, killing two people and bringing down the country's electrical grid.
Former, current Arizona residents feeling Ian's wrath
On Sept. 28, we spoke with two women - one who moved to Florida from Arizona four years ago, and one who currently lives in Arizona, but is in Florida due to a family emergency - about Ian.
"This is not something we haven't done, but this is not something we ever want to do again," said Jana Hambruch. The Fountain Hills woman is currently in Cape Coral. "I wasn't going to come here. That wasn't my intention. But when he was in the hospital, I had to come. I knew I was going to have to deal with this hurricane, I just didn't think like this."
"It is very windy," said Mary Kay Hazy, who is in Winter Haven.
Hazy said things are a bit less intense where she is at, but even still, conditions are still fierce. This is the first time the former Maricopa resident is experiencing a hurricane.
"I've got my candles. I've got my food. I have stuff for my dog," said Hazy.
On Sept. 29, we spoke with Hazy once again about her experience with Ian.
"The wind started to howl, and you could hear it and make your house shake," said Hazy. "The rain never stopped beating on your house in every direction."
For Hambruch, seeing the devastation around her family's property is devastating.
"We've been out of power for hours. You only get what's on social media when you have power, and it breaks my heart to know what's gonna be lost," said Hambruch.
As the day wore on, more people are talking about the storm's impact.
"It's not as windy as it was, but it comes in gusts," said Alyssa Copham, who jut moved to St. Petersburg, Florida from Arizona.
Copham has been out of power for most of the day, and spoke with us, via teleconferencing, by candlelight.
"We went to the grocery store, like, four days ago, and the grocery store is, like, the most anxiety-driven place I've ever been," said Copham.
Some Arizonans step up to help Floridians in need
"It's going to be between a [Category] three and a [Category] four," and yes, that's a big one," said Disaster Health Services nurse Mary Reagan, who is from the Phoenix area.
"In some areas, there will be catastrophic flooding and life-threatening storm surge," said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).
While Arizona is far from Florida, that is not stopping some Arizonans from stepping up, and doing their part to help.
Some volunteers are already at the Florida Panhandle, in the Tallahassee area, and by early Wednesday morning, they are likely to head south.
For Reagan, Spet. 27 may be her last night in a comfortable bed before she starts work.
"We're leaving at 5:00 a.m. [on the morning of Sept. 28], and get it open probably before noon," said Reagan.
Reagan is one of several Arizonans volunteering for the Red Cross, as Ian makes landfall.
"We are first going to be working in an evacuation shelter," said Reagan. "Just providing them a safer building over their head when the storm goes over."
At first, simply getting emergency shelters open will be the priority, but that is only step one. Reagan and others on her team will be in Florida there for two weeks, and will be invaluable for the people who face the greatest damage.
"At this time in my life, I have time to quickly leave town for two weeks to go somewhere to help people," said Reagan.
Reagan is not the only Arizonan volunteering in Florida. Pam Gieringer from Paradise Valley is another person from the Phoenix area who is in Florida.
"We're just here to serve and be good to people, and help people who have experienced devastating circumstances," said Gieringer, who has been asked to stay longer in Florida, because the Red Cross anticipates needing volunteers for a long time to help Florida recover from the storm.