A $494 million lottery — One of the winning tickets for Friday’s Mega Millions jackpot was purchased in Fort Myers, Florida, just weeks after Hurricane Ian decimated the town.
Ticket holders in California and Florida matched all six numbers on Friday night, winning $494 million, lottery officials announced in a news release.
According to game officials, Friday’s jackpot was the eleventh greatest in the game’s history.
The winning ticket in Fort Myers comes at a critical time for the Florida city.
Last month, Hurricane Ian struck Florida’s west coast as a Category 4 hurricane, destroying homes and businesses with winds that topped 150 mph, particularly in Lee County, Florida, where Fort Myers is located.
At least 127 people in the state have died due to Hurricane Ian, local officials said.
People embrace as they survey property damage from Hurricane Ian, Sept. 29, 2022, in Bonita Springs, Fla.
Damaged boats are seen amid a downtown condominium after Hurricane Ian caused widespread destruction, in Fort Myers, Florida, Sept. 29, 2022.
As for the winning ticket, it’s the first Mega Millions jackpot win since two people won the $1.337 billion prize in Illinois on July 29, officials said.
The winning numbers were 9, 22, 26, 41 and 44, plus the gold Mega Ball 19.
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