weather

Hurricane season is long gone, but Florida's waterways are still recovering. The powerful storms pushed millions of gallons of sewage and fertilizer into freshwater bodies ,causing outbreaks of blue-green algae, which can be toxic to humans and fish.

Winds from the north expected during a major cold front coming through Thursday should push the red tide offshore or back to the south, away from the beaches.

Prior to Ian’s landfall over a month ago, the county reported a mosquito count of about 13,000. Two weeks after the storm brought historic flood levels, the county reported 46,000 mosquitos.

Researchers say Hurricane Ian brought red tide, destroyed artificial reefs from as far away as 30 miles from the coast and could impact the state's fishing industry.

Lengthy checklists from public health officials on handling emergencies miss vulnerable seniors who can’t always follow the recommendations.

The Florida Department of Health reports 28 cases and six deaths in Lee County from Vibrio vulnificus, a bacterial infection that thrives in warm, brackish water.

Older people with limited mobility and chronic health conditions requiring the use of electrically powered medical devices were especially vulnerable. Experts are warning such risks to society’s oldest are growing as disasters increase amid climate change.

Health workers on a federal disaster relief team have set up a tent emergency room outside Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Venice. They're helping take the pressure off, so hospital staff can focus on treating the sickest patients.

Hundreds of medical centers along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts face serious risks from even relatively weak storms as climate change accelerates sea-level rise — not to mention big ones like Category 4 Hurricane Ian.

Residents from nine facilities still shuttered are staying in nearby skilled nursing centers, where staff are working to make them feel comfortable and monitor for "transfer trauma."