WATCH: Florida’s Sanibel Island destroyed by Hurricane Ian

As Hurricane Ian continues its path of destruction, one of the hardest-hit areas was Sanibel Island in Lee County, Florida.

Sheriff Carmine Marceno tweeted out aerial video of the destruction.

“This morning Sheriff Carmine Marceno took a tour of Lee County to begin assessing damage caused by Hurricane Ian. We are devastated. Our hearts go out to every resident who is impacted. The Lee County Sheriffs Office is mobile and will stop at nothing to help our residents,” he wrote.

WATCH: DESANTIS CALLS HURRICANE IAN DESTRUCTION A ‘500-YEAR FLOOD EVENT’

“I am struggling to find the words to convey my feelings, as I am sure most of us are as we look to the past four days. All our lives and our island have been forever changed. What we do tomorrow and the days and months ahead will redefine and strengthen our community,” Sanibel Island Mayor Holly D. Smith wrote in an open letter on the city’s website.

Smith said anyone still on the island needs to leave immediately.

“Presently there can be no timeframe for reentry. It just isn’t possible. If you are somewhere safe, please stay there. Like search and rescue, this will be a methodical and long process. After the rescue efforts, Police then go island-wide for safety and clearance, then the structural safety inspections teams conduct an island-wide inspection of every property on island for structural integrity or damages. Once these actions are completed, the city will transition to re-entry if possible,” she added.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) spoke about the destruction at a news conference Thursday afternoon.

“It got hit with really biblical storm surge,” DeSantis said. “Those were really difficult images to see, especially just given that it’s a place that I have been fortunate enough to be able to go out and have some friends and do events there in the past and really a great part of the southwest Florida community.”

DeSantis said he will do what it takes to rebuild the island.

“We’re committed to restoring the infrastructure as needed. That is not going to be an overnight task. That is going to be something that is going to require a lot of love and care, and it’s going to require a lot of resources, but we’re going to do it because we understand how important it is,” he said.

The Biden administration has already approved a “major disaster declaration” for nine of the hardest-hit counties so far, but that’s expected to expand as more damage is revealed in inland areas.