Hurricane Ian took away Metro Police detective's retirement

It has been two months since Hurricane Ian hit Florida, killing more than a hundred and destroying thousands of homes and businesses.

The story has largely fallen from the headlines, but storm victims say the struggle for survival continues.

Those hurricane victims include retired Metro Police detective Larry Flair and his wife Sharon. After decades in Middle Tennessee, they moved to Florida and were loving the area and retirement until the storm hit.

The Flairs lost their home, cars, boats, and virtually everything else they owned when the eight to 12-foot storm surge plowed through their neighborhood in Fort Myers Beach. 

"In 10 hours, gone. And that storm lasted in one place. 10 hours," said Larry Flair during an interview this week with FOX 17 News.

The couple, back in Tennessee to be with family for Thanksgiving, stopped by FOX 17 News' studio for an interview.

The Flairs had both hurricane and flood insurance, but because of the expense, they say it will cover less than 10 percent of what they lost.

A friend has set up a GoFundMe account to help the couple. 

One of the things that survived the storm is their Tennessee marriage license.

The Flairs plan to return to the Midstate to start over as soon as their affairs are settled in Florida. 

"Sharon and I use the expression it's broken, but it's mendable. It can be fixed and we're going to," said the retired detective.

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