Operation Airdrop Ferries Supplies to Hurricane-Ravaged Florida Island

In the wake of Hurricane Ian, Naples Airport has become a base for disaster relief efforts

Wednesday, October 05, 2022 at 03:49 PM ET

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Naples Airport became a base for Pine Island, Florida, hurricane relief operations after a bridge connecting the island to Fort Myers was heavily damaged in Hurricane Ian. [Courtesy: Naples Airport]

Key Takeaways:

Naples Municipal Airport (KAPF), despite being recently flooded by Hurricane Ian, has rapidly transitioned into a critical staging ground for "Operation Airdrop" to deliver essential supplies to the storm-devimated Pine Island.
The local community showed immense generosity, collecting over 15 pallets of food, water, and cleaning supplies for Pine Island, which is currently only accessible by boat or air due to bridge damage.
Due to the overwhelming volume of donations, supplies will be transported to Pine Island by the Cajun Navy via boat, underscoring the airport's quick recovery and its vital role as a disaster relief hub.

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A week ago, Naples Municipal Airport (KAPF) in Naples, Florida, was under water because of Hurricane Ian. Today, the airport is being used as a base for Operation Airdrop, bringing much-needed supplies to Pine Island, a community decimated by the storm.

The bridge that connects Pine Island to Fort Myers was heavily damaged by the storm, making the island only accessible by boat or aircraft. The island is southwest Florida’s largest island measuring 17 miles long and 2 miles wide.