Lee County leaders failed to follow their own plan and procedures when deciding the exact moment to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Ian, a series of public record requests obtained by Fox 4 Investigates showed.

During a seven-month investigation, the documents reconstructed leaders’ decision-making process as the deadly Category 5 storm approached Southwest Florida’s coast.

The findings come just days after Hurricane Season 2023 started, as Fox 4 Investigates examined if Hurricane Ian lessons are now shaping future evacuation policies.

See what the investigation uncovered on FOX 4 News.