MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Cortez isn’t your typical waterfront community in Florida. The longstanding commercial fishing village in Manatee County is home to families going back multiple generations.
The tightknit community was devastated by Hurricane Helene. Many residents lost everything they own.
“This area is one of the lowest income areas in Manatee County,” Bob Slicker said. “It is the oldest active fishing village in Florida, so we are talking fourth generation people that live all in low level homes, not million dollar homes. Everybody has been affected.”
Slicker owns Slicker’s Eatery on Cortez Road. His business suffered damage from about 3.5 feet of storm surge from Hurricane Helene. As he and his crew work to rebuild the place, the parking lot has become a hub of sorts.
Each day, local storm victims and first responders can stop by the restaurant to grab a free hotdog lunch from volunteers with the local rotary club, which Slicker is a part of. People looking to volunteer and lend a helping hand to residents in the village or drop off donations can come by the restaurant as well.
News Channel 8 talked with Slicker about the greatest need for residents, especially the elderly, in the fishing village.
“Right now, the greatest need is gutting the places,” Slicker said. “Everyday we are canvassing, passing out lunches, making sure they have meals while they are working and making a list of where the need is and if there is anyone who can get out of their house or that have nowhere to go or financially, the ability to do so.”
Cortez Church of Christ was damaged in the storm, but is now serving as a place to store donations from the community. Village residents impacted by the storm are encouraged to stop by the church to pick up anything from food, water, and toiletries, to clothes, cleaning supplies and a dry pair of shoes. There are donated items available for people of all ages.
Lisa Harrison’s home and workplace were damaged by Hurricane Helene and the storm surge.
She lost virtually everything she owns.
“The pictures of my parents who are gone and the kids’ baby pictures and stuff like that. Losing that broke me. It just broke me,” Harrison said.
She tells News Channel 8 the recovery process has been overwhelming.
“It is horrible,” she said. “I mean, I go to bed at night and I lay there and cry trying to think of how I am going to… what am I going to do?”
Another resident News Channel 8 spoke with said his neighbors are hoping to get help with laundry as they work to recovery.
“A lot of people are struggling with laundry. We are here trying to rebuild. If there was a laundry company that could make some pick ups and deliveries here, I’m sure they would be busy all the time. We are just struggling and doing the best that we can under the circumstances,” Mark Huff said.
Slicker said the village is seeking volunteers who can donate their time to help some of the elderly population in the village gut their homes.
He said there is a need for donations and supplies for those impacted.
Donations needed in Cortez:
- gift cards, monetary donations for food, immediate needs
- cleaning supplies (bleach, paper towels, gloves, garbage bags, trash cans, etc.)
- shovels, tarps, tools for demolition
- air mattresses, bedding for displaced residents
Donations can be dropped off at Slicker’s Eatery at 12012 Cortez Rd. W.
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