Just weeks after Hurricane Ian ravaged the southwest Florida city of Fort Myers, somebody hit a lottery jackpot at a 7-Eleven convenience store on the city’s Colonial Boulevard.
The particular person in Fort Myers was not the one one that bought a Mega Millions ticket with the successful numbers of 9, 22, 26, 41, 44 and the Mega Ball 19 on Friday. Another successful ticket was bought in San Jose, California. As of Tuesday morning, neither particular person had come ahead to say their appreciable winnings.
How appreciable? The jackpot was $494m, which the winners will now probably cut up — which means that every particular person stands to stroll away with $247m. Lottery winners in Florida have 180 days to come back ahead and declare their prize, however simply 60 days to say the lump sum payout, which, in this case, is price effectively greater than $100m.
It’s an eye-popping quantity, particularly contemplating the devastation so many individuals in Fort Myers skilled not too long ago when the hurricane ripped via the city. According to reporting from The New York Times, practically 400 buildings on the Fort Myers seaside had been destroyed. The seaside’s most important industrial space was destroyed.
Town Councilman Dan Allers stated the state of affairs the city is going through in the aftermath of the storm is “total devastation.” He referred to as the state of affairs “catastrophic”. The hurricane as a complete could have prompted as a lot as $67bn in harm, making it one of many 5 costliest storms in US historical past. It could find yourself being the second costliest storm in US historical past, trailing solely Hurricane Katrina.
Against that backdrop of environmental devastation — and questions from some in regards to the knowledge of rebuilding Fort Myers given its location and realities of the local weather disaster — the Florida Lottery solid news of the successful lottery ticket nearly as good news.
“This win feels slightly more meaningful,” lottery officers stated in a press release reported by NBC News. Lottery officers additionally stated they hoped that the cash from the Mega Millions ticket may “have a positive impact” on the world. Children are simply now returning to high school in some areas affected by the storm.
7-Eleven officers had been equally enthusiastic, significantly on condition that each of the successful tickets had been bought at places of their retailer.
“We’ve always known our customers across the nation are winners! We couldn’t be happier that these extra lucky customers won in 7-Eleven stores in Fort Myers, FL and San Jose, CA,” an organization spokesperson stated in a press release.
