FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. — Despite being well over 100 miles off the coast of Southwest Florida, Hurricane Idalia still managed to bring several feet of storm surge to our barrier islands. 

On Fort Myers Beach, people are still cleaning up from the flooding. It’s almost like deja vu for the community that just went through the same thing nearly a year ago with Hurricane Ian. 

“You can see on the fence, it was maybe more than 12 inches,” said Ron Fleming, looking at his Delmar Avenue home. 

It wasn’t anywhere near the more than 10 feet of storm surge he saw last year with Ian. 

“It was a pain in the a**,” he said. 

Fleming is among those who spent the day cleaning out their garages from Idalia’s storm surge, which shuttled in silt, mud and debris. 

“This storm was a punk,” he said. 

Further south on the island, a lifeline for the community now needs help to bring it back to life. 

The Beach Baptist Church Community Resource Center is flooded. More than a foot of waste ruined donations for islanders in need. 

“It is a kick in the teeth for quite a few folks,” said Pastor Shawn Critser. 

The massive tent housing it all is barely hanging on through the tropical-storm-force winds. 

“This hit is probably going to be $10,000-$15,000,” he said. 

The damage is nothing compared to the Seaside Resort. Idalia’s high winds tore off the roof of the building, which was in the process of being restored after Hurricane Ian. 

“And now they have to do it again,” said Jeff Craig. 

Out on the beach, you’ll find a testament of Idalia’s strength. Barnacle-covered debris from Hurricane Ian sits in the sand, seeing daylight for the first time in nearly a year. 

“I’m sure our Public Works people will be busy hauling some of Ian off of the beach after Idalia,” said Councilman Bill Veach. 

There’s also good news. An emergency berm built along the island after Hurricane Ian did its job, protecting homes and businesses and potentially saving this already bruised community from even more heartbreak. 

“You can rest assured it would’ve been worse,” Councilman Veach said.