"It's heartbreaking," shared Donna Landon, a local whose mobile home on the periphery of the town was entirely levelled. "We've been wiped off the map. There's nothing left."
Landon alluded to some insurance support for rebuilding but is concerned about how long the restoration will take. Despite this, she highlighted the tight-knit nature of the community, acknowledging that they "looks out for each other" However, she conceded that no one has been spared by the calamity.
"I don't think there's anyone who hasn't been touched by this," she reflected.
Following the storm's chaos, electricians emerged as vital figures, swiftly arriving by Friday to reestablish electricity after extensive power cuts hit the area, marking just the beginning of what promises to be a gruelling journey to recovery.
Russ Rhodes, a repairman on site, issued a sombre warning, explaining, "It's going to take weeks to fix it," and revealing that they'd "basically have to start from scratch."
In the wake of the recent violent storm, Roy's Restaurant, a cherished establishment beside the Steinhatchee River, was unfortunately struck hard, coming off the back of recovery efforts from Hurricane Idalia just the previous year.
A poignant Facebook Live message from the manager of Roy's Restaurant, amid the sombre atmosphere, conveyed a mixed sentiment: "Our employees are safe," while conceding, "The restaurant didn't fare as well. But that's all right."
Underscoring a resilient community ethos, the management expressed, "We're thinking of our community and our employees, and everyone who is affected out there. We love them."
Linda Wicker, the dedicated owner of Roy's for over five decades with a staff of more than 30 people, remains undeterred by the disaster. In an interview with the Palm Beach Post, she affirmed her resolve, asserting, "I think we need to do that," She acknowledged their insurance situation, adding thoughtfully, "It's insured, but it's never enough."
Communities along Floridas Gulf Coast, such as Steinhatchee, continue to struggle in the aftermath of the deadly storm, which unleashed high winds and flooding at levels not seen before.
As things stood on Sunday morning, officials have confirmed a death toll of 64 and report several individuals as missing.
By Saturday, the intensity of the storm had diminished while passing over western Kentucky and approaching the Tennessee state line. Forecasts predict it will advance across the central Appalachian region come Sunday, bringing additional rainfall and breezy conditions.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.
Comments / 0