Newsroom: (305) 795-2777. She survived the attack but died later of an infection caused by the bite. Pitts says you never know whats lurking below the waters surface. 500,000 open heart surgeries are performed in the U.S. every year, and half of those patients require a blood transfusion. Recently, an alligator in a pond on Sanibel Island attacked a man who was washing his hands in the water. Enter one or more recipient email addresses separated by commas or spaces. Observe and photograph alligators only from 30 feet or more away. Five years ago last week Sanibel Island landscaper Janie Melsek lost her life to complications from an alligator attack. Their metabolism is very slow and they are not the ravenous monsters some think they are. They pretty much lay in wait in fresh or brackish waters or on the edges of same for prey to come close by. State law prohibits killing, feeding, harassing or possession of alligators. SANIBEL, Fla. . Jeannie Pitts was throwing the frisbee with her dog, Honey, when a gator splashed out of the water. An alligator was trapped and removed from the area. Once endangered, alligators now number more than 1 million, state officials believe. Do not throw them in the water. We can tell you how to appreciate these mighty creatures, Alligators on Sanibel are very interesting creatures that have been roaming the earth since prehistoric times. Full story: https://t.co/s8YiqlIH9V pic.twitter.com/E1AvLHu7IS, Hes a big guy, he said his arm was hurting pretty good," said Sanibel Fire's Division Chief Tim Barrett. "Actually the trappers were in there for a long time with hooks and we (law enforcement officials) were all standing there looking for the alligator," Adams said. Guide To Waterfront Dining. In Naples, city council authorized the city manager to spend up to $100,000 to expedite the cleanup of dead fish within the city waterways []. Alligators can climb and quite well, just something to be aware of. Abo has treated several alligator bites over the years, and commented on dangers of human-alligator run-ins. These feared but fascinating creatures are common on the island. Florida is one of their favorite habitats, of course! July 15, 2005: An alligator more than 12 feet long grabbed 41-year-old Kevin Murray by the arm as he swam in Apollo Waterway and pulled him underwater as neighbors watched. The man was able to free himself from the. That will require a bit (a lot) of a detour from going directly to Sanibel Island, as the spot to (maybe!) Pitts grabbed her smaller dog, and Honey was able to run away from the gator unscathed. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. A monster alligator was spotted walking around a parking lot on Sanibel Island, Florida. Youve got to be careful., Turf Masters Brands expands with recent acquisitions, Project EverGreen receives $50,000 matching grant from MEDC, Schill Grounds Management promotes 4 to senior positions, Schill Grounds Management acquires GrassCor, SavATree merges with Lyndon Tree Care & Landscaping. John C. Goede: Can changes be made to common areas without members' approval? Sept. 11, 2001:82-year-old Robert Steele had his leg severed and bled to death when he was attacked by a 10-foot alligator while walking his dog by a canal on Sanibel Island. The man was able to free himself and call 911, but sustained serious injury to his right forearm, according to a release by the city of Sanibel. Around 2:00 in the afternoon first responders were able to get the alligator out of the pond. The City of Sanibel | 800 Dunlop Road | Sanibel, FL 33957. They did say the gator will be put asleep. You cant relocate them, he said. FULL STORY:https://t.co/s8YiqlIH9V pic.twitter.com/HIf2fsEoQj. The decorative pond is about the size of a swimming pool, said Sanibel Police Maj. Michael Murray. Despite a pretty gnarly bite, hes going to be OK, and his arm is going to be saved, Abdo told WSVN. The attack occurred at a pond near 2477 Periwinkle Way, which abuts Frannies Preserve, a forested area with hiking trails, and a few blocks south of J.N. The gator released Melsek after a five- to 10-minute tug of war with the gator on one side of her and police on the other. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service. The public may view the reports by going to WSVN.com and clicking on "FCC Public File", or by visiting the FCC's website at FCC.org. Beaches remain closed on the island without boardwalks, and debris is scattered everywhere. Sometimes they will use a big hook, and a large piece of meat and throw it out there and catch him, Chief Barrett said. Smith had known Melsek, who was a bank customer, for 23 years. It never was a problem.. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. March 11, 2005: Donald Ray Owen, 56, was found dead in Six Pound Pond near Lakeland in Polk County with multiple alligator bites and the left arm amputated below the elbow. Why were all of a sudden having a problem if what weve had is a problem I dont know., Before returning to his chores in a thicket next to his house, Yetsko said he hopes Sanibel residents can continue to live in harmony with nature., I guess you can do it, he said. Murray said it was skinny for an alligator. I dont know that were getting a reputation for it, Greenstein said. (3.7 m) alligator while working on landscaping along Poinciana Circle Sanibel, Florida. The gator, a 12-foot, 3-inch male was removed and destroyed. Nov. 8, 2007: A man who jumped into a lake to flee police at the Miccosukee Resort and Convention Center was killed by an alligator more than 9 feet long. She had toxic levels of alcohol and an anti-depression drug in her body, and authorities believed she was attacked on land and dragged into the canal. So it wouldve been devastating, so Im just happy that it turned out the way that it did, and I just want to let other people know that theyre actually there right off the causeway, and that, you know, for people to be careful.. A photo of the aftermath of the attack is so graphic we had to blur it, but with a closer . A fish kill is filling up the water in Southwest Florida. The J.N Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge is 6,400 Acres of preserved and undeveloped mangrove ecosystem land. Its the orange cord wrapped around his arm. Among the fascinating animals and birds to observe is the mighty Alligator. Ironically, Olin lives on the same street as Sanibel's only other fatal gator attack victim. Wetmore suffered from dementia and was believed to have wandered away from his home. May 13, 2006: On the same day Campbell's body was found, the body of Judy W. Cooper, 43, was found in a canal 20 miles north of St. Petersburg, in Pinellas County. The alligator, found with the missing leg in his mouth, was destroyed. It was a bit of a struggle, Chief Barett said. Jeannie Pitts was throwing the frisbee with her dog, Honey, when a gator. They are a protected species and given the percentage of conservation land on the island are a common sight that is to be celebrated. It was the state's first such fatal attack since 2007. Denial is not just a river in Egypt this can happen and does happen. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. United States - sad news of an Alligator attack on Sanibel - A woman who had worked on Sanibel for many years was attacked by an alligator while working. She died at 9:15 a.m. Friday during surgery at Lee Memorial Hospital as doctors tried to combat the infection that spread through her body. By the beginning of April, when the weather starts to warm, alligators become active, feeding more, looking for new territories and mating. Kati Sherrard, who was hired to be the [], An alligator was captured in a Sanibel pond Thursday afternoon after the reptile seriously injured a man working on the island. They are often spotted on Sanibel (though rarely on Captiva) which is a wonderful habitat for them as much as it is a great vacation spot for us! "But the gators are out here. 2023 Sanibel Holiday All rights reserved. Officials said the man was able to free himself and call 911. They say theres 300 of them on this island.. The animal rescue said that she had arthritis and could barely walk when she was found. U.S. news An 88-year-old woman was killed in a suspected alligator attack at a gated community near Hilton Head, S.C. "It was guarding her and did not want people close by," a law enforcement. ***Christmas Light Footage was recorded in January 2021 from Tween Waters Resort. Observe and photograph alligators only from a distance. Since 1948, 491 people have been bitten. It is during these times that alligator sightings are most prevalent. SANIBEL, Fla. A man is in the hospital after an alligator bit him Thursday morning on Sanibel Island, and according to Florida's Fish and Wildlife, the gator will be put to sleep. The 92 alligator was removed from the property, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The victim fell into a pond in a gated community in Hilton Head Island, . A photo of the aftermath of the attack is so graphic we had to blur it, but with a closer look, you can see the reason the man in this photo is still alive. Chamber Executive Director Steve Greenstein insisted that wasnt true. An alligator in a pond on Sanibel Island attacked a man who was washing his hands in the water. Fifth, alligators can be lighting fast when they see you are in striking distance, 15 feet or less from them and the water. SANIBEL, Fla. A man was hospitalized after an alligator bit him on the arm. "She got stitches in her right hand and was given appropriate medication and medical care," Adams said. Also, understand that if youre near a nest, theyre going to be protective.. The alligator, found . There is a huge commitment to conservation and the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) is the largest, private landowner on the island. Despite the frightening encounter, that man is expected to recover. They are often spotted on Sanibel (though rarely on Captiva) which is a wonderful habitat for them as much as it is a great vacation spot for us, They are a protected species and given the percentage of conservation land on the island are a common sight that is to. I think its up to the city of Sanibel to decide if their policy is appropriate and theyll take whatever action is necessary to protect the public.. Lauri Olin, 56, of Rabbit Road on Sanibel, was working for Wilson Landscape and Pond when a 6-foot, 7-inch gator grabbed her hand while she worked at 5206 Punta Caloosa Court, said Officer Joanne Adams, a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokeswoman. Remember they are an important part of Sanibels natural history as well as an integral component of our freshwater ecosystem. I am linking . Stay 50 feet away from an Alligator, though they may seem lethargic, they can move fast and run up to 35 mph especially during the warmer summer months. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn. He was taken to an area hospital; his current condition is unknown at this time. 239-267-1317 Wind gusts will not become as strong as yesterday. SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. -- Janie Melseks death Friday morning had many people on Sanibel talking about the same thing alligators. Do not let your small pets, such as dogs drink from or swim in, freshwater. Please do your part in protecting the Islands wildlife by not feeding alligators. "But hes a pretty tough old boy. 1401 79th Street Causeway Among the fascinating animals and birds to observe is the mighty Alligator. The alligator,. It seems to have worked for years. All rights reserved, BSO Searching forMissing 11-Year-Old Girl From Pompano Beach, Miami-Dade Animal Services Temporarily Suspends Some Services Due to Bacterial Outbreak, Miami-Dade Mayor, State Attorney Announce New Measures to Protect HOA Residents, Check Your Change! But some may take the signs to heart in such a way that inhibits their enjoyment of the island. It was evident that hed lost a lot of blood and potentially had other damage to his tendons, Abo said. J.N Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge There are often Alligator spottings on the Indigo trail/Wildlife drive, keep your eyes open for groups of people huddled around staring, this is usually a sign of a Gator spotting! If fishing, throw fish scraps away into trash cans, not the water. June 23, 2001: A 2-year-old girl wandered from her Winter Haven backyard to a nearby lake and was killed by a 6 1/2-foot alligator. "A landscaping woman was clearing out weeds in the decorative pond when she reached in and an alligator came up and grabbed her," Adams said. What's happening to turtle nests along Naples' beaches? 9 years ago Save Actually, Sanibel has a gator population estimated at about 300-350 gators, mostly due to the fact 65% of the island is protected conservation land and there are numerous small lakes and ponds for them to live in. I think its pretty scary, Ill tell you that, said Elaine Smith, a customer service representative at Bank of the Islands. "Pretty much every body of water has an alligator in it, including some swimming pools," Chief Barrett said. There are several places to spot Alligators on Sanibel and, they are most active in the warmer months. Alligator attacks man who was washing hands in pond - Sun Sentinel The man was able to free himself and call 911, but sustained serious injury to his right forearm. There are many misconceptions about Alligators but they are still dangerous and as humans, we have to behave respectfully and sensibly towards them. As the gator tried to drag Melsek into the same small pond it came out of, she told rescuers to cut her arm off to help her get free. Miami, FL 33141 The man was able to free himself and call . "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge when the gator dragged him into the water. An alligator is seen during a kayak tour near Everglades City on Dec. 2. Not only was there a game, but college students showed up for a dunk contest. Rubio hopes to rebound four months after loss, Guest commentary: Support solar in Florida? Nevertheless, the mayor believes the island will be open on January 2. Guide to Captiva Restaurants The gator reached up and grabbed his arm, Abo said. The skin was very torn up on his arm. The 12th was Robert Steele, 81, who died on Sept. 11, 2001, after being bitten near his home off Rabbit Road, not far from where Melsek was attacked. My wife Lori and I have been running a successful photography business on the islands since 2000. According to Sanibel Fire Department, a 25-year-old man was attacked around 11:06 AM along a pond near Baileys General Store located at 2477 Periwinkle Way. SANIBEL, Fla. (WSVN) Rescue teams saved a mans life after a harrowing alligator attack in Sanibel. About 50 yards from where Cardenas and her co-workers took a smoke, Andrew Myerson, 39, sat in a small clearing next to a creek where gators are seen so often that signs warn visitors that its against the law to feed them. Dogs are more susceptible to being attacked than humans because dogs resemble the natural prey of alligators. The man was able to free himself and call 911, but sustained serious injury to his right. Its the sunshine state! During the emergency Thursday, bystanders and the victim fashioned a makeshift tourniquet out of an orange power chord, wrapping it around his upper arm before paramedics arrived. Dog gets away safe after alligator lunges for it off Sanibel Causeway, Winds stoke brush fires and prompt evacuations across Southwest Florida, Fort Myers High School hosts annual unified basketball game, Public adjuster answers your hurricane-related property insurance questions, Long-term repairs to the Sanibel Causeway after Hurricane Ian, Alligator captured after seriously injuring man near pond in Sanibel, Working to get Sanibel beaches and businesses open after Ian, Dog found in Orlando reunited with Texas family 7 years after it ran away, What the number of winter shorebirds means for Florida, How bloodless open heart surgeries are performed, North Naples woman arrested after dog dies trapped in vehicle, After Hurricane Ian, Lee County reopening beach parks with free parking. Count on NBC2 to bring you the latest developments on this story. A press release from the City of Sanibel stated the man was using the pond to wash his hands when the alligator bit his right arm. Contrary to popular belief, they have good eyesight and, their blind spot is in front of their nose. She later died in surgery from an infection acquired from being in the water . It will be euthanized. Police shot the reptile to death before rushing Melsek to Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers. Steve Yetsko, 52, who lives around the bend from the house at 3061 Poinciana Circle where Melsek was working when she was attacked, was among those who ran to her aid. The myth that they cant catch you if you run in a zig zag is not true. After the gator was captured FWC's gator trappers gave Fox 4 a closer look at the gator that bit a man's arm. One of the biggest issues people are dealing with when it comes to insurance after Hurricane Ian is property damage. If you want to go there, you will want to go there before you really start driving to Sanibel Island. May 4, 2001: The chewed body of 70-year-old Samuel Wetmore was found floating in a south Sarasota County retention pond with an 8-foot alligator circling nearby. The Sanibel Police Department received a 911 call shortly after 11am after a man was bitten in a pond near a general store on the island.. A woman who had worked on Sanibel for many years was attacked by an alligator while working. Robert Steele, 82, was killed by a. The man was able to free himself from the. Robert Steele, 81 . Get updates on developing stories as they happen with our free breaking news email alerts. Melsek was just two years younger than Olin when a gator attacked her while she was doing landscaping on July 21, 2004, on Poinciana Circle near a pond. Never let small children play by themselves near freshwater. (2022), The Sanibel and Captiva Farmers Markets (2022), 11 Local Favorites For A Sanibel Island Sunset (2022). At least four people have been killed in alligator incidents this year in the U.S., two in Florida. Michelle Braun 13 subscribers Subscribe 625 views 1 year ago After a fun day at the beach, many of us were relaxing under our umbrellas; taking in the. . Lee County announced that several beach parksLynn Hall Memorial Park, San Carlos Bay-Bunche Beach Preserve, Bonita Beach Park and Bonita Beach Accesses 1 to 10would reopen on Saturday. Campbell was a Tennessee visitor who was snorkeling in a secluded recreation area. She heard a loud splash and when she turned around her son was gone. They outlasted dinosaurs! The primary factor in the evaluation is determining the potential danger posed by an alligator or crocodile. Golf Courses The 2 best golf courses to Gator spot are The Dunes and Sanibel Island Golf Club. All content Copyright 2000 - 2023 WSVN-TV. You have to have your head on a swivel and be smart, especially with regard to small animals and small children; if youre down near the waters edge, theres a potential gator there. A trapper later killed the alligator. No Collier County attacks are included on FWC's list of fatal alligator attacks. WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale, Coral Gables resident still refuses to sell decades-old home surrounded by massive development, Broward County pastor faces several fraud, grand theft charges after defrauding church, Gunman dead after hours-long SWAT standoff at SW Miami-Dade apartment complex, Police: Man fatally shot 3-year-old son, himself inside Coconut Grove condo, Police arrest student who made false bomb threat at Dillard High School; classes resume. Do not swim in water inhabited by Alligators. Firefighters are battling several brush fires in Charlotte County; the one off McCall Road threatens several buildings, including a church. NBC 6's Erika Glover brings us the latest on the attack from an alligator that killed a toddler inside one Disney World resort. But its now something Pitts says she is wary of and wants others to be aware of too. Nov. 23, 2015: Brevard County deputies determined that Matthew Riggins, 22, was killed by an alligator in a Barefoot Bay lake while possibly hiding to avoid law enforcement. Enter your message or notes here to be included in the email. June 18, 2003: A 12-year-old boy was fatally mauled by an alligator while swimming with friends at Palm Gardens Marina, about 35 miles northwest of Orlando. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands, First Woman Miami-Dade Transit Bus Operator Wins Roadeo in Competition's 40-Year History, From Haiti Through Liberty City to Top Federal Prosecutor in South Florida: the Unlikely Story of Markenzy Lapointe. The attack on Melsek made headlines internationally because of a heroic effort to save her by several men who heard her screams and Sanibel Police officers who rushed to her aid. If you see anything and the gators appear to be nuisance, call the Sanibel police. The tourniquet was lifesaving. The man had been washing his hands in a pond when the alligator bit him on the forearm in Sanibel, Florida Credit: Wink. Oct. 19, 2015: The body of 62-year-old James Okkerse was found floating in Blue Springs State Park in central Florida with injuries consistent with an alligator attack. They should move the big ones to where theyre not around people.. Attached to the Shipley Trail and close to the Bailey Homestead. Do not harass Alligators in any manner. According to Sanibel Fire the man was severely bitten but is expected to be okay. He did a decent job because he made it very tight but also very wide.. Sanibel Island, Florida 33957 The Truth About Alligators on Sanibel Island, The Best Sanibel Stories Come from Guests. High humidity will make our afternoon feels like temperatures reach the 90s in many spots. Weve had too many attacks recently, I think, said Smith, 62. Visit Gatorbites Website. The victim told Abo that he was trying to keep the alligator from pulling him into the water, and that if the nearly 10-foot animal rolled, a technique alligators use to harm prey, he would roll with it. Closely supervise children when they are playing in or around water. Name, age, sex Date . They are native to Mexico, China, and the United States. The alligator believed to be responsible was killed. An 11-foot alligator killed an elderly man walking his dog by a canal, biting off part of his leg in the third deadly alligator incident in Florida this year. Please keep the following tips in mind to ensure the time you spend on Sanibel does not result in a conflict with an alligator: Feeding alligators is a criminal act, punishable with up to a $500 fine and 60 days in jail. Latest News Updates for Sanibel Island & SWFL. Though they are extremely territorial creatures, they do not like humans and will leave you alone if you leave them alone. Greenstein said hes not worried Sanibel which depends heavily on tourism could become known as a dangerous place because of gators. A 54-year-old landscaper, Melsek was attacked Wednesday by an alligator that was 11 feet, 9 inches long and weighed 457 pounds. A trapper killed the alligator suspected in the attack. nature trails to explore and a huge wildlife refuge. Utilities Department 24hr Emergency Hotline: Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. There are. Alligator on the beach - Sanibel Island! In April 2004, a 74-year-old woman was grabbed by the leg and pulled underwater by a 9-foot, 7-inch gator. Observe and photograph alligators only from 30 feet or more away. Dispose of fish scraps in garbage cans at freshwater boat ramps, docks or fish camps. Copyright 2023 Waterman Broadcasting of Florida, LLC, Home News Local Man seriously injured after alligator attack on Sanibel. She fought back and survived after being treated at a hospital. Officials were about ready to give up nearly two hours into the hunt for the gator. The construction can be seen all around, along with cranes, tools, and the crews doing all the work. "All of a sudden a trapper saw it and hooked it. Experts trapped the cold blooded animal with meat and lassoed it. When fed, alligators lose their natural fear and learn to associate people with food. These feared but fascinating creatures are common on the island. According to the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Melsek was the 14th person to be killed by a gator in Florida since 1973. see crocodiles in an area called Flamingo in the Everglades that's located pretty far out of the way.. The animal will be euthanized. Small, tropical, inviting, it is easy to feel that there is not a worry in the world while vacationing on Sanibel. Murray and Adams say that people need to be aware of their surroundings, but as Adams said, even the trappers had a difficult time finding the gator in the pond where Olin was working. Animals in the region were disrupted by Hurricane Ian in September, and may have found new homes in unexpected places. The 2-year-old Nebraska boy snatched by an alligator at a lake in Walt Disney World and whose body was found Wednesday was one of 16 people killed in alligator attacks in Florida since 1997. Alligator on Sanibel Island - YouTube View from the wooden bridge that leads to Bowman's beach on Sanibel island View from the wooden bridge that leads to Bowman's beach on Sanibel. Donna Yetsko recalled seeing the gator that attacked Melsek at least twice a week. Four of those deaths involve a child under age 5. Feeding alligators is a criminal act, punishable with up to a $500 fine and 60 days in jail. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel). Sanibel Fires Division Chief Tim Barrett told Fox 4 that the alligator was between 8 and 10 feet long. Never feed Alligators, this will cause them to lose their natural fear of humans and associate humans with food. They attack somebody and they take them out and kill them. SANIBEL, Fla. A man is in the hospital after an alligator bit him Thursday morning on Sanibel Island, and according to Florida's Fish and Wildlife, the gator will be put to sleep. I am linking the report. The toddler, from Nebraska, was vacationing. The first 911 call, from Olin's co-worker, came at 11:18 a.m. "It wasn't really that big and it wasn't that deep," Murray said of the pond. FWCs gator trappers gave us a close up of the gator after it was captured. 1 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources 2 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 3 Georgia Department of Natural Resources 4 South Carolina Department of Natural Resources 5 University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Wildlife Damage Management 6 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department . Sept. 11, 2001, 82-year-old Robert Steele had his leg severed and bled to death when he was attacked by a 10-foot alligator while walking his dog by a Sanibel Island canal. Sanibel contains over 2,200 acres of freshwater wetlands that provide habitat for a sizable population of alligators. There are many misconceptions about Alligators but they are still dangerous and as humans, we have to behave, Forgotten Sanibel Recipe Lemon Pecten Cakes, Local Sanibel Artist Rachel Pierce Hurricane Ian & Pop Up Shops, Sanibel Bailey Tract Trails & Meditation Hike! They find their way back is what they do.. High temperatures will climb into the 80s and low 90s under mostly sunny skies. An alligator in a pond on Sanibel Island attacked a man who was washing his hands in the water. []. Just as we love all wild life on Sanibel, we love our gators. Authorities shot the alligator after Okkerse's body was found. Remember they are an important part of Sanibels natural history as well as an integral component of our freshwater ecosystem. If you encounter a nuisance alligator or see someone feeding an alligator, IMMEDIATELY CONTACT THE SANIBEL POLICE DEPARTMENT AT (239) 472-3111. He wouldnt speculate on what, if anything, the council may do. Please do your part in protecting the Island's wildlife by not feeding alligators. One of the best places to see crocodiles in Florida is also Everglades National Park!. Despite a pretty gnarly bite, hes going to be OK, and his arm is going to be saved, Abo said. WSVN-TVSunbeam Television Corp Learn More Expect sustained winds between ten to twenty miles per hour, with wind gusts as strong as thirty []. If you see an alligator, the best thing to do is leave it alone. Police just captured the gator that bit a mans arm on Sanibel Island. May 10, 2006: The dismembered body of Yovy Suarez-Jimenez, 28, was found by construction workers in a canal in Broward County. We quickly became acquainted with everything Sanibel & Captiva have to offer. If you see an alligator, the best thing to do is leave it alone. The man is taking antibiotics and needs to clean his wounds thoroughly and often. It is also illegal. Authorities confirmed that the victim was from Arkansas and was a construction worker focused on recovery from Hurricane Ian, which decimated the area in September.