Pretty much anyone you ask who stayed in Southwest Florida for Hurricane Ian has one: A ‘Storm Story’, whether it’s a tale of heroism, heartbreak, tragedy or sacrifice, Southwest Florida has been through a lot. It’s important that those memories don’t just fade away. That’s why the Gulf Coast Writers Association has compiled and published a book full of firsthand accounts from Hurricane Ian, reflecting on how this community handled the storm that changed us forever. 

Meeting at the Masonic Temple not far from Fort Myers Beach, many of the members of the Gulf Coast Writers Association remember Ian all too well. Some, like Pamela Poleman, who lost her home on Fort Myers Beach to the storm, can’t forget it. 

“Everything that was meaningful to our life, was gone,” Poleman said. “It was probably one of the most traumatic experiences that I had going through the Hurricane, so all this rattles around in my head, so I can’t sleep at night until I can get it down on a piece of paper.”

Fortunately, she wasn’t the only person who thought to write their experience down. 

“The month after Hurricane Ian, I saw a news article in which the Alliance for the Arts had put out the call for people to submit in audible form, a little snippet of their storm story,” said Mary Charles, a contributor. 

That’s when the Gulf Coast Writers Association stepped up and decided to record all those stories and more into a book. More than 80 writers, some dictated, ghostwritten and others written down firsthand tell the story of Ian from every angle imaginable. 

“There’s stories of humanity, survival, heroism. It runs the gambit to tongue and cheek, bitter, grateful, to dramatic,” Charles added. 

A big part of this project has to do with access, making sure everyone can read these Storm Stories for free. That’s why every library in Lee County already committed to buying at least one copy so anyone who wants to read these stories can. 

“Hopefully 50 years from now, people will pick it up and say ‘Oh, look what happened here 50 years ago,’ there’s something about establishing the memory, putting your stake in the ground so to speak,” said Christie Zarria, the editor of Hurricane Ian: Storm Stories.