A Fort Myers woman is once again without a home after her RV went missing during Hurricane Milton. Christina Ruiz, who lost her apartment in Hurricane Ian two years ago, evacuated the RV near Fort Myers Beach with her 3-year-old son and pets before the storm hit. She now suspects her black and white 2020 Grand Design travel trailer was stolen.
Ruiz’s apartment remains unlivable after being flooded during Ian, forcing her family to live in the RV. Recalling the events of Hurricane Ian, Ruiz described a terrifying nine-hour ordeal trapped in floodwaters before being rescued.
“I remember calling 911 and getting that busy signal because nobody could get through that time,” she said. “By the time I did, I was emotionless, and I was cold, and I said, I know you can't get to me, but when this clears up, look for best case scenario, a little boy in a blue floaty and hopefully his family, if not just save my son.”
Ahead of Hurricane Milton, Ruiz’s brother-in-law from Naples tried to move the RV to safety. They parked it in a North Naples Walmart lot along Immokalee Road. But when her brother-in-law returned the next day, the RV — along with all her and her family's belongings — was gone.
“How does something that is 35 feet long just vanish?” Ruiz asked.
She suspects the RV was stolen, as it was the only vehicle missing from the lot, and the tow company confirmed they do not have it.
Ruiz filed a report with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and is waiting for updates on the investigation.
“I would like my home back,” she said. “It would be great if it was untouched, undamaged, and everything inside is still there. That would be fantastic. I don't think that's possible at this point, it's been gone over 24 hours. I don't know what to expect. I hope for the best, but I'm expecting the worst.”
Anyone with information about the missing RV is asked to contact the Collier County Sheriff's Office.