It is, or was, a slice of Old Florida. Where the condo towers weren’t. No thonged models, celebrities or South Beach vibe either.
Matlacha, Florida, is now struggling to stay on the map.
This was a place of colorful cottages, bait shops, salty-dog bars.
It’s now a wreck.
Like nearby Sanibel Island and its lost landmarks, Matlacha took a major hit from Hurricane Ian.
And now, its people are asking: Is everyone safe? And can we rebuild?
READ MORE: Ian leaves destruction, and death, in Matlacha. Colorful village flattened, isolated
Here is what it looks like:
READ MORE: ‘Please can someone send help.’ Pine Island residents fear Ian destroyed slice of old Florida