Days after Hurricane Ian swept across Florida as a category 4 storm, Port Charlotte residents are recounting the storm, cleaning up, and counting their blessings.

"Getting gas for generator — that had to be the scariest thing in the world," resident Herman Gardner said.

"People are going through a lot, and they just have to keep the faith," said Al Mullen, who lives in a flooded community.

They have also switched to survival mode, as most parts of the area are without the basics: power, water and — for some — shelter.

Mullen anxiously drove home to see his house after the storm hit the area.

"I seen the first house that is tore almost in half and the first half was gone, and I think I felt my chin hit my ankles and my heart, of course, was below that because I didn't expect much," Mullen said.

Unexpectedly, his house and a few of his close neighbors' homes were still standing. It gave him the boost he needed to start helping others.

"It's the people in here that matter," Mullen said. "If you're still living, you can make whatever you need, help those in need, and that's how I felt."

Nearby in another section of town, Hurricane Ian caused more damage. One family recently put a brand new roof on their home; now 20 feet of it is missing. A neighbor's missing boat was found in their backyard.

Since the power is out, many are driving hours to grab gas. One Port Charlotte couple drove to Tampa and also got gas for several neighbors.

Pulling up to the pump can be costly and time-consuming, with one man waiting four hours to reach the pump.

Hundreds of thousands are still without power. The water is out, too.

"I just wish the infrastructure could hold up a little better," said Bonnie Schade, while getting gas for her generator. "The traffic lights, the power lines — I wish we had a better water system, but it's getting fixed again."

Still, residents remain hopeful their community will push through the hardship.

"The spirits will lift and so will the hazards, and we'll be here dragging aluminum until we're back to the beautiful community we started off at," Mullen said.

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TRENTON, N.J. – New Jersey is expanding its list of residents who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination and the inclusion of one group has led to some pushback – smokers.

In addition to those age 65 years and older, those between 16 and 64 years of age who have certain medical conditions are now eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

Smoking is one of the ten conditions and state health officials say it’s the largest group, with millions of smokers in the state.

“Smoking puts you at significant risk for an adverse result from COVID-19. And there are 2 million smokers in New Jersey that fit into this category,” said the state’s health commissioner, Judith Persichilli at a Wednesday press conference with Gov. Phil Murphy.

The other conditions included are cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), Down syndrome, heart conditions (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies), obesity, severe obesity, and sickle cell disease.

“We know individuals in these categories are at greater risk for severe COVID-19 illness and death,” said Persichilli.

The commissioner says 80% of COVID-19 deaths in New Jersey have been among those 65 years and older, and 67% of all COVID-19 deaths in the state had one or more underlying condition reported.

“However, we know this number is likely higher, because not all cases had data reported on whether those comorbidities or chronic conditions existed,” she said.

Persichilli said expanding vaccinations to these groups, “will help protect the most vulnerable amongst us.”

The decision to include smokers has already led to backlash, because they’ll be able to get vaccinated before some front-line workers, like teachers and public transit employees.

The state’s decision does lineup with guidance from the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), though. Smoking is listed as medical condition that could lead to severe illness from COVID-19.

If you’re a smoker, the CDC says to quit.

“If you used to smoke, don’t start again. If you’ve never smoked, don’t start,” the agency wrote on its website.

Click here for resources that can help you kick the habit.

NEW ORLEANS —

Residents at an apartment building in New Orleans say they were abandoned after Hurricane Ida knocked out electricity, and the property manager offered little to no assistance to the 40 or so low-income residents. Many are elderly and have acute health conditions that were exacerbated by the oppressive heat after the storm.

Electricity was restored Thursday, but people who suffered through the heat are demanding answers.

"We went through a lot of pain and suffering, couldn't sleep, never got sleep or nothing, man," said Tyrone Webber, a resident at Boyd Manor.

Residents depended on local community volunteers who brought them food, water and ice. Some of the volunteers had been inside the building's apartments and shared videos that showed water on the floor and leaks around window sills.

The volunteers made patchwork repairs, but residents say they have not heard from the property manager about long-term solutions.

"The landlord didn't come here, not one day. We was without lights and everything for 10 days, and she's going to come here today talking about she want rent," resident Yolanda Lewis said.

National Baptist Housing and Economic Development own the property. Its chairman, who is also a local pastor, said he had evacuated from New Orleans for the hurricane and had not been to the residence since the storm.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development financed the property and pays 70% of the rent for tenants, who must qualify as low-income. This means residents did not have the means to evacuate on their own.

However, a representative for the company that manages the building told sister station WDSU that the residents were given information to arrange their evacuation through the city's 311 service. Only one resident chose that option.

The on-site manager has been to the building every day since Hurricane Ida and brought residents food and water, the representative said. Residents dispute that claim, saying volunteers and a council member have been their only sources of aid. One resident said the manager "snuck in through the backdoor."

A community member said conditions were substandard before the hurricane. He, too, said property management has been absent in the storm's aftermath.

Personnel is expected to be sent to complete an assessment of building damage. That process was hindered by the lack of electricity. There was no timeline given for when repairs would be made, but contractors are reportedly expected to be hired if the damages are extensive.

Residents should not be expected to pay their portion of the rent in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane, a representative for the company said, adding that she was not aware that the onsite property manager had pressed tenants for payments. She also said she was not aware of residents' claims that problems such as mold, mildew and leaks were present before the storm.

CINCINNATI —

Dozens of people gathered in East Westwood Thursday evening to discuss gun violence in the neighborhood and solutions.

The East Westwood Community Council's monthly meeting at Third Presbyterian Church had ten times the number of attendees it typically does.

"For the youth, it seems like, I think a lot of them feel hopeless," said Gwendolyn Hampton who grew up in the area and still has family who live in Westwood.

The meeting comes on the heels of a quadruple shooting not far from the church. A 6-year-old and 8-year-old boy were shot.

The 8-year-old's mother spoke at the meeting.

"I have good kids. They're not out hanging doing anything wrong," Marcella Thompson said. "I feel like the community should come together and just do better for our youth because my child was an innocent child."

He is still fighting for his life in the intensive care unit.

"He was just walking to the store," she said. "And he never came back home."

East Westwood Community Council President Rodney Christian gave a passionate speech to the audience, advocating that every community steps up in some way, coaches, business owners and homeowners alike.

"If things like this don't wake us up, what will?" he asked. "Something has to change. We're in the red. Your children's children are going to be living in hell if we sit here and ignore it today."

Some Cincinnati police officers were also in attendance, answering questions and addressing concerns.

"Cannot do it without them. 100% cannot do it without them," said Sgt. Jacob Hicks, the neighborhood liaison for district three. "It makes it easier for us to do our job, because now, I can communicate messages from the police department, what we're seeing, and take it to the community, and the community now they have a better voice."

The East Westwood Community Council is holding a 'Stop the Violence' festival Saturday, July 31 from 3-7 p.m. It will be held at Third Presbyterian Church with raffles, games, 3-on-3 tournaments and more.

CINCINNATI — As TQL Stadium opens for FC Cincinnati's home opener, here's what fans should know about parking before heading to a match.

Season parking pass holders will have access to parking close to the stadium, which includes:

• The East Garage on the stadium site
• The West Premium Lot in the rear of the stadium
• The newly built West End garage north of the stadium with about 800 parking spots
• The Town Center Garage across from Music Hall on Central Parkway.

The Washington Park Garage is also offering parking sign-ups for FC Cincinnati fans, but this garage also has spots set aside for season parking pass holders.

Fans can also get their steps in by parking at the Mercer Commons Garage, the Ziegler Park Garage or the Kroger Garage and walking between 15 and 20 minutes to the stadium.

The stadium is nestled into the West End neighborhood where some might try their luck with street parking, but FC Cincinnati has a map online that shows that parking in residential neighborhoods is off limits. Residents hope fans respect this.

"They’re not going to want to pay to park, so they’re going to think they can come over here, which is free parking, and it’s not," Yona Dowdell, a West End resident, said. "They don’t live over here to park over here.”