Tiny Florida city ‘wiped off the map’ by Hurricane Helene’s wrath: ‘There’s nothing left’

When Hurricane Helene battered Florida’s Gulf Coast this week, one of many hardest-hit areas was the small city of Steinhatchee, which was overwhelmed by a 10-foot storm surge and 140 mph winds.

A lot of the city’s 500 residents evacuated the realm — and returned to seek out their houses and companies destroyed.

“It’s heartbreaking,” stated Donna Landon, whose cell dwelling simply outdoors the city limits was a complete loss.

“We’ve been wiped off the map. There’s nothing left. I’ve some insurance coverage however now I’ve to rebuild.”

The Publish toured Steinhatchee — about 90 miles southeast of state capital Tallahassee — on Friday. Few buildings had been left standing, and those that had been suffered vital harm.

“I don’t assume there’s anybody who hasn’t been touched by this,” Landon stated. “However it is a neighborhood the place everybody seems out for one another.”

On Friday, linemen from 4 surrounding states rolled into city to try to restore the destroyed energy grid and restore electrical energy to the city — nevertheless it’s a protracted street forward.

“It’s going to take weeks to repair it,” warned Russ Rhodes, who was a part of a crew repairing a downed energy pole.

“We’re mainly going to have to start out from scratch.”

Roy’s Restaurant, on the banks of the Steinhatchee River, was utterly destroyed by Hurricane Helene’s wrath — simply 9 months after reopening from Hurricane Idalia’s final yr.

“Our staff are secure,” the restaurant’s supervisor stated in a Fb Stay. “The restaurant didn’t fare as nicely. However that’s all proper. We’re pondering of our neighborhood and our staff, and everybody who’s affected on the market. We love them.”

Roy’s proprietor Linda Wicker vowed to rebuild the 54-year-old native staple once more.

“I believe we have to do this,” Wicker advised the Palm Seaside Publish, including that she has greater than 30 staff. “It’s insured, nevertheless it’s by no means sufficient.”

Steinhatchee, like a lot of Florida’s Gulf Coast, continues to grapple with the damaging aftermath of the Class 4 storm, which brought on ferocious winds and historic flooding.

No less than 45 folks have been killed as of Saturday afternoon.

Within the close by city of Perry, almost 7,000 residents are assessing the harm. Timber blocked lots of the most important roads, and electrical poles have splintered into a number of items. Roofs have been ripped off houses, and there’s no electrical energy or operating water.

“I’ve been in Florida all my life,” Nancy Belleville, 80, stated. “My complete life, and it’s by no means been this dangerous. However I’m nonetheless alive and everybody I really like continues to be alive, so I’m grateful to God for sparing us.”

Helene weakened on Saturday because it handed over western Kentucky and the Tennessee border.

By Sunday, it is going to transfer throughout the central Appalachians with small pockets of rain and weakened wind gusts.