‘Worst we’ve seen in recent history’: Hernando County assesses damage from Helene

HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Hernando County crews have been rescuing people throughout Thursday night into Friday.

Hernando Beach took the brunt of the damage from Hurricane Helene.

8 On Your Side went out with Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis to assess the damage in the area. Places like Shoal Line Boulevard had a lot of flooding, debris, and even boats in the middle of the road.

“I think that everybody is in agreement that this is the worst we’ve seen in recent history,” Nienhuis said. “There’s always debris and there’s always stuff, even when you flood, anything that floats is going to move. But we’ve certainly not seen anything like this on Shoal Line.”

Homes, property, and cars were both damaged and destroyed.

“This is all replaceable, if nobody lost their life, we’re in good shape,” Wesley Chafin said. “That’s the thing, everything material wise we can replace it.”

Residents like Chafin decided to stay in their homes at the beach.

“The wind shear was only going to up to about 35, 40, maybe 80, gusting at 80. The house is ready for 115 to 140 miles an hour wind,” he said. “We worried about the water more than anything else.”

He parked his cars before the storm hit to come back and find them dead.

“My wife is disabled, so if I had to get her out, I’d have no way of going except calling the fire department,” Chafin said.

The destruction and devastation Helene left behind is something the community will take time to recover from.

“We’re just thankful we have not had any reports of serious injuries or fatalities, thank God, but it is a serious situation out here,” County Commissioner Jerry Campbell said. “Ongoing rescue missions, currently still ongoing, we are going to be going door to door here shortly just to check on people.”

The Sheriff and Campbell said the best thing people can do is have patience, especially as they continue to assess damage and rescue people.

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