The Irma Show

Episode Summary: The story of Hurricane Irma — its path, the decision not to evacuate, and what the days after landfall in Naples, FL actually looked like — plus a thank-you to everyone who reached out with concern and support.

What You’ll Learn

• The path and strength of Hurricane Irma as it hit Southwest Florida in September 2017
• Why evacuating isn’t always the safer or smarter choice for coastal residents
• What Naples, FL looked like in the days after landfall: no power, scarce gas, spotty service
• A thank-you to everyone who reached out during and after the storm

About Hurricane Irma

Irma originated off the coast of Africa and became the most intense hurricane to hit the US since Katrina in 2005, and the first major hurricane to hit Florida since Wilma, also in 2005. It held Category 5 strength with wind speeds topping 185 mph, made landfall in the Florida Keys as a Category 4, and hit Marco Island and Naples as a Category 3 with sustained winds around 140 mph. Hurricanes build strength over warm water; land and mountains are what break them apart.

Before the Storm

Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 1, with storms named alphabetically each season — Irma was the 9th of the year with a real chance of making landfall nearby. Hurricanes don’t sneak up, but their exact path usually isn’t confirmed by the National Hurricane Center until 2–3 days out, by which point evacuating gets complicated fast: flights sell out, roads jam, and — as happened with Irma — gas runs low or out entirely.

Irma was roughly the size of Texas and threatened both coasts of Florida at once. Evacuating isn’t a simple call for everyone — it costs time away from work, real money for travel and lodging, and can mean ending up in a worse spot than staying put, especially with pets or kids involved. Homes built in Florida’s tropical/subtropical building codes, especially newer construction, are built to withstand a great deal.

The Scary Part

Two models typically predict a hurricane’s path: the US model and the European model (historically considered more accurate). The US model had Irma making a destructive hit on Miami; the European model had it heading for the southwest tip of Florida — Naples. The European model was right.

After the Storm

90% of Collier County lost power and drinkable water. Gas was scarce, with long lines at the few stations that had fuel and many drivers turned away. Cars became the only way to charge phones, which made limited gas an even bigger problem. No power meant no air conditioning — genuinely dangerous in Florida, especially for infants and the elderly. Wi-Fi was down, and AT&T service was spotty at best. Some homes sustained real damage, but the outcome overall: safe, and back to normal soon enough.

Thanks for the story, Irma — you won’t be missed.

Show Notes & Links

No external resources referenced in this episode.