PINE ISLAND, Fla. (AP) Paramedics and volunteers with a group that rescues people after natural disasters went door to door Saturday on Floridas devastated Pine Island, offering to evacuate residents who spoke of the terror of riding out Hurricane Ian in flooded homes and howling winds.

The largest barrier island off Floridas Gulf Coast, Pine Island has been largely cut off from the outside world. Ian heavily damaged the only bridge to the island, leaving it only reachable by boat or air. For many, the volunteers from the non-profit Medic Corps were the first people they have seen from outside the island in days.

Residents described the horror of being trapped in their homes as water kept rising. Joe Conforti became emotional as he recounted what happened, saying the water rose at least 8 to 10 feet (2.4-3 meters), and there were 4-foot (1.2-meter) waves in the streets.

The water just kept pounding the house and we watched, boats, houses we watched everything just go flying by, he said, as he fought back tears. Weve lost so much at this point.

Conforti said if it wasnt for his wife, Dawn Conforti, he wouldnt have made it. He said: I started to lose sensibility, because when the waters at your door and its splashing on the door and youre seeing how fast its moving, theres no way youre going to survive that.

He said his wife had them get on top of a table to keep from getting swept away by the water. The next day, he said, they brought food to an older gentleman who lived on the next block, and they made sure to get him off the island on the first available boat.

He lost everything, Joe Conforti said of the man. He said that if we didnt bring him the food, he was going to take his life that night because it was so bad.