Abbreviated Pundit Roundup: Hurricane Ian update and why Giorgia Meloni for Italy now?

We begin today with Bill Smith of the Fort Myers News-Press and the devastation that continues to unfold in Southwest Florida due to Hurricane Ian, which made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane yesterday afternoon near Cayo Costa, a barrier island west of Fort Myers.

Hurricane Ian took a permanent place in Southwest Florida history Wednesday, with an agonizingly slow sweep through the region, leaving devastated families, ruined homes and uncertain futures.

More damage was caused by Ian than any other storm since Roger Desjarlais said he's been Lee County manager.

The powerful hurricane made landfall near pristine Cayo Costa, but the fury of its winds and rough surf spread destruction throughout Lee County.

Damage was so severe that it was decided by county and local officials to wait before making some evacuations, for fear it could kill the rescuers.

"It left families suffering the agony of knowing that loved ones cling to life in areas that can not yet be reached by rescue crews because it is it too dangerous to save them," Desjarlais said.