One month on from Hurricane Ian, signs of recovery, and lingering damage, are clearly visible in southwest Florida.

In footage filmed while driving from Venice to Fort Myers on Friday October 28, the remains of the destruction still lines the streets, piled up on the kerb.

Housing, too, remains a challenge. Many mobile home parks that were destroyed appear not to have been touched since, and roofs made of blue tarpaulin are common on homes and businesses.

But in other ways there has been a rapid recovery, with gas, groceries and electricity largely available again.

Restaurants, department stores and other shops and services are once again open for business too.

Outside the hardest hit areas -- including Sanibel Island and Fort Myers beach -- recovery is heading in the right direction.

Driving on surface streets from Venice, Florida, to Ft. Myers, it's amazing to see how rapidly the area has recovered from powerful Hurricane Ian. Immediately after the storm plowed through the region, it was hard to find gas, electricity and groceries. In four short weeks, gas is plentiful, electricity has been restored in most communities, and grocery stores are open. Housing, however, still remains a challenge. Many mobile home parks that were destroyed appeared untouched and blue tarped roofs are abundant on homes and businesses. Yet, the most striking thing is that within miles of utter devastation, restaurants, department and grocery stores, and other services are open for business. Outside the hardest hit areas -- including Sanibel Island and Fort Myers beach -- recovery is heading in the right direction.