Bonita Springs, Florida — Boat across the Imperial River, Bonita Bay and Estero Bay to see the pristine wreckage.
The NBC2 crew found a life-size, intact home, along with boats, cars, and everything in between. It floats on the surface of the water or is entangled in mangroves.
“Oh my God. Crazy. You don’t see anything like that. Look. You didn’t know what to expect on the water. You knew there was debris.” But that’s not the case, said Joseph Anela, a Bonita Springs resident who lost his entire home in Hurricane Ian.
Most of the damage was several miles offshore.
“We’ve seen people’s dressers, children’s clothing, toys, enclosed trailers, work trailers, cars, boats, jet skis, pretty much anything you can think of,” says Anella.
At this point, the water level has dropped significantly and is about a foot deep in some places. Rescuers and construction crews are nearly impossible as the debris is hidden under the waves.
“They should understand this now. This is urgent,” said Anela.
There are no plans to remove it at this time.
This is a work in progress. Please keep NBC2 updated as more information is released.