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Tag: Hurricane Milton

  • Historic Woman’s Club celebrates grand reopening after hurricane damage

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The historic St. Petersburg Woman’s Club, which was damaged by hurricanes Helene and Milton, celebrated its grand reopening with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

    What You Need To Know

    • Historic St. Petersburg Woman’s Club celebrated its grand reopening with a ribbon cutting ceremony

    • Landmark building was damaged during hurricanes Helene and Milton

    • The new look still preserves history


    Members and volunteers worked months restoring the historic landmark. Monthly meetings and social activities are now being held in the newly renovated building.

    “It is the beautiful club we’ve always had, they maintained the tradition but we have modernization,” said Joanne Walker, who served four terms as president and joined in 1976.

    “My themes as one of my terms as president was take time to be friendly or you’ll have time to be lonely,” said Walker.

    The club prides itself on community service. Members volunteer time dedicated to initiatives including education, the environment, arts, civic engagement, and health and wellness.

    “In our creed, it says you live each day trying to accomplish something not merely to exist, and that’s what we’ve always done,” said Walker, who has been a member since she was 26. “So many memories, so many friends, so many fun times, so much charity work.”

    The club is also a rich part of family tradition for many generations who use the venue to celebrate many of life’s milestones.

    The historic St. Petersburg Woman’s Club celebrated its grand reopening with a ribbon cutting ceremony. (Spectrum News/Melissa Eichman)

    While celebrations and community outreach continue from a newly renovated building, the history and heritage forge into the future.

    “The fact that they preserved the history was fabulous,” said Walker, adding that she is passionate about passing on the club’s legacy to the next generation of members.

    “I feel very certain, that these new members who have come in, they have already started digging into the community, they’re doing all the hands-on service that we have done over the years and I’m so proud of them,” said Walker.

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    Melissa Eichman

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  • Lake Bonny residents call for investigation into flooding after Milton

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — As the city of Lakeland takes steps to reduce the risk of flooding near Lake Bonny, residents nearby are calling for more transparency.

    What You Need To Know

    • Lakeland has signed a 90-day agreement with Southwest Florida Water Management District to begin pumping water from Lake Bonny sooner, at a lower threshold, to mitigate flooding risks
    • Longtime residents are questioning the effectiveness of flood management and have petitioned for an independent investigation into the city’s flood response and drainage systems
    • While the city has hired AECOM for a watershed study, residents are demanding a third-party investigation to ensure transparency and accountability regarding the drainage issues contributing to the flooding


    On Monday, the city announced a 90-day emergency agreement with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). Rather than waiting until the lake reaches a 10-year flood stage to pump water out, officials can now use the emergency pump much sooner. The new approved permit allows pumping to commence when Lake Bonny reaches 129.60 NAVD.

    Following Hurricane Milton in October of last year, city leaders say they teamed up with Polk County officials to inspect Lake Bonny’s drainage system. Their findings show that the system is fully intact and free of debris or obstructions.

    City officials also say engineering consultant AECOM has been conducting a watershed study since January. However, longtime resident Jan Morsey and her neighbors created a change.org petition to demand an independent investigation into the lake’s flooding.

    Morsey checks daily on one of the main canals that drain water from Lake Bonny to Lake Parker near her home on Lake Bonny Drive East. She says there hasn’t been much progress since Milton.

    “You can see that there’s no actual water flowing through here at all. It’s all just stagnant,” Morsey said. “This has not improved. If anything, it’s only gone downhill because we have more debris that has collected since Milton, and with just the recent rainfall we’ve had — we’ve had a few days that we’ve had some rainfalls — this hasn’t improved.”

    Morsey believes the blocked canal is a large part of the reason why the street she’s lived on since her childhood was flooded in October.

    “We have water levels that FEMA and that we have measured, numerous people have documented of 18 inches. So, we’ve had 18 inches around and inside our home for well over three weeks after Hurricane Milton.”

    The water damaged all of the walls in her home and most of her belongings. So far, Morsey says she’s spent nearly $80,000 on repairs. Despite the out-of-pocket costs, she and her neighbors stress that they aren’t looking for money. Instead, they created the petition simply to get answers.

    “What we want is a light to be shined on what was broken. Accountability for the process that wasn’t in place or, if they were in place, did not work during this disaster,” she said.

    According to city officials, AECOM’s watershed study will review Lake Bonny’s drainage basin and evaluate potential flood relief options. However, community members say they want an investigation by a third-party company not chosen or paid by the city.

    “Having that independent entity takes away the possibility of anyone influencing the outcome in a way that they may not intentionally do,” she said.

    Morsey says an independent investigation will not only help restore trust within the city, but it will provide a clear path moving forward.

    “That’s what we want to see — what happened, and then fix it and make it better,” she said.

    Morsey suggests that the county, state, or another agency select and fund the next third-party company. This way, the city won’t have to be involved.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Lakewood Ranch CERT employing drone technology ahead of hurricane season

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — With the 2025 hurricane season on the horizon, many organizations are looking for ways to help their community prepare.

    In Lakewood Ranch, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is launching a new program that will take helping its residents to new heights.

    What You Need To Know

    • Lakewood Ranch CERT will activate their drone program when the 2025 hurricane season begins 

    • The goal is to deploy drones after a storm impacts the Lakewood Ranch area
    • This Saturday, there is a free event showcasing the Drone Program starting at 9 a.m. at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

    David Esslinger flies drones as part of the new CERT team aimed at helping recovery efforts in the immediate aftermath of a hurricane.

    The Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team is calling it, The Drone Program.

    “I think having a drone would really help us get up in the air, cover a good area,” Esslinger said.”And then we could tell people where to go check out.”

    The goal is to deploy drones after a storm impacts the Lakewood Ranch area. The flights would reveal which houses received the most damage and determine if any residents need help.


    Flying isn’t a new skill for Esslinger.

    “I like flying things a lot,” he said. “I started as a kid with model rockets and remote-controlled planes.”

    That passion turned into a desire to help and motivated him to join the Air Force in 1980 when he was 19.

    “So I was in the Air Force back when the F-16 was a new plane,” he said. “I was a weapons systems specialist, maintaining the weapons. I got really attracted to fast flight, loud airplanes, and weapons systems. So, I did my tour for four years.”

    Now, Esslinger is continuing to help in his own community.

    “So if we had the drone in the air, ideally we’d be able to identify an area and send people out once we figure out where the problem is,” he said.

    Usually, the CERT team knocks on doors, but drones will allow them to reach targeted areas more efficiently. The technology would have been useful during last year’s storms when the Summerfield community was difficult to access. 

    “I think the drone will help us do that a lot faster,” he said.

    The Drone Program is set to activate when hurricane season begins.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • SeaHorse Beach resort reopens after hurricanes, welcoming guests back to stay

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — When Hurricanes Helene and Milton impacted the Sarasota area, Longboat Key was one of the islands that received significant damage.

    One resort just fully reopened earlier this week, and people were eager to return. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The SeaHorse Beach Resort in Longboat Key reopened Monday, Feb. 17 after repairing from the damages sustained from the hurricanes 

    • Visitors like Paul Will his fiancée, Jolanta, have been coming to Longboat Key for years and is relieved to see the resort back open
    • The director of the resort, Sam McCarter, says the damages totaled to more than half a million dollars


    Paul Will has been coming to Longboat Key for years and is relieved to see the resort back open.

    “We’ve been coming to the SeaHorse Beach Resort for 14 years and coming to the island for almost 23 years,” he said.

    Will and his fiancée, Jolanta, come to Longboat Key every year. They love the area and reconnect with their friend, Sam McCarter, the director of the resort.

    But this year was different.

    “From what we were hearing and seeing, we were very concerned,” Paul said.

    The group saw pictures of the destruction from the hurricanes. McCarter says the damages, which cost more than half a million dollars to repair, turned this peaceful resort into something different.

    “Water came in underneath the door walls, and there were probably several inches — maybe a little more — in each of the units on the downstairs level. The problem was that even with that small amount of water, the drywall absorbs it and brings it up, and the kitchen cabinets absorb it too,” McCarter said.

     

    After more than four months of remediation and renovation, Will now gets to stay in the same room he’s been in for years.

    “First of all, it’s the view. You never get tired of it,” he said.

    And he never has, which is why he invites his family and grandkids to join him for the tradition.

    “We have fun, but now it’s added youthful fun,” he said.

    These two will hold this place close to their hearts for years to come.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Pasco resident aims to recover home, business after hurricanes

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Half a billion dollars was allocated as part of the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2025 for Pasco County.

    Some residents of Pasco County are now awaiting the disbursement of those funds, which are awaiting approval from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). 

    After both her home and business were flooded, Marie Balan says time is crucial with another storm season approaching.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pasco County is set to receive a direct allocation of $585,704,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as part of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)-Disaster Recovery Program stemming from Hurricanes Idalia, Helene, and Milton
    • As her home was struck by Hurricane Milton, so was Marie Balan’s Tampa business, Kreyol Spice Cuisine
    • She’s not only mourning the loss of that $700,000 investment but also her mother, who passed away seven months ago
    • After both her home and business were flooded, Marie Balan says time is crucial with another storm season approaching


    Balan’s Pasco County home of five years remains covered by a blue tarp after Hurricane Milton caused roof damage.

    “That’s water,” she said while pointing to the roof.

    She’s still coping with water damage and mold.

    During the hurricane, her backyard flooded, and water started seeping into her window.

    “Some people already flooded, so we put couches on top of each other and take chairs to the door,” she said.

    Despite having flood insurance, Balan says it has been no help at all.

    “We have racoon trying to get inside,” she added.

    Fallen trees and debris are still not being managed.

    “This is the reason why they require us to pay taxes — they need to step up,” she said.

    As her home was struck by Hurricane Milton, so was Balan’s Tampa business, Kreyol Spice Cuisine. She’s not only mourning the loss of that $700,000 investment but also her mother, who passed away seven months ago.

    “My mother was in the business with me from Pennsylvania; my business used to be Kreyol Spice Cuisine, and this is my passion,” she said.

    Damaged appliances from her restaurant now sit in her backyard. She also had a storage unit with $15,000 worth of merchandise that has been sent to auction. The business was her only source of income. She has worked out a deal with her mortgage provider to avoid foreclosure.

    “It’s not easy for us,” she said.

    She’s still struggling to get back on her feet. As another hurricane season quickly approaches, she says time is running out to secure her home.

    “To come up with $70,000 to put in my house as a young, single woman is not easy. This is my legacy; this is my kids’ house,” she said.

    Now, the only thing of value to her is the roof over her and her children’s heads.

    Pasco County is set to receive a direct allocation of $585,704,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as part of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)-Disaster Recovery Program stemming from Hurricanes Idalia, Helene, and Milton.

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    Fadia Patterson

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  • AMI business owner forced to close shop after costly hurricane damage

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — While many businesses have been rebuilt after sustaining hurricane damage, other business owners have faced a tough decision on whether to reopen.

    But Joe Lalond had to make that decision to close Frost Oasis, an ice cream shop that offers other deserts too.

    What You Need To Know

    • Frosty Oasis that was once located at Marina Drive in Holmes Beach is no longer there — the owner closed its doors permanently

    • The costs to rebuild from the damages done to the building were too expensive for the owner, so he was forced to close

    • The owner still has its second Frosty Oasis location at Riverside Drive in Palmetto, which he plans on adding new products to increase business

    Scooping ice cream isn’t as easy as it looks.

    “And a lot of sore wrists — anyone who works in an ice cream shop gets sore wrists,” he explained.

    But Lalond said the hard work is worth it.

    “What I love is dealing with customers, making people happy, especially the kids. Everyone loves getting ice cream,” he said.

    Lalond has owned Frosty Oasis since 2023. The sweet shop had two locations: one in downtown Palmetto and another on Anna Maria Island, a more profitable spot.

    But Lalond won’t be serving ice cream in Holmes Beach anymore. The damage that the shop suffered from hurricanes Helene and Milton proved too costly to repair, forcing him to permanently close.

    “We had 80% of our life savings into the island location,” he said. “It was definitely a great chapter of our life — it was a dream that we had, and we had built it up. We had built a great name in the community. We were just catching our stride.”

    Now, he hopes to catch his stride in Palmetto.

    “We’re hoping to grow this business. We don’t get as much business in this location. We’re in a busy marina, and parking can be a challenge. We don’t have the tourist component that we did on Anna Maria Island,” he said.

    While Anna Maria Island was a more lucrative location, he hopes introducing some new ideas will bring in more business.

    “We’re going to do some door hangers, which worked really well for us on the island. We’re going to introduce some new products,” Lalond said.

    He is moving on, closing one chapter of his business and staying focused on what remains. Lalond said now he is looking to add some food options to help his business stand out and increase revenue.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Artist Guild of Anna Maria Island holds grand reopening Friday

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    ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fla. — The facilities of an Anna Maria Island nonprofit have finally rebuilt after last year’s hurricanes.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Artist Guild of Anna Maria Island had a “soft” opening on Jan. 25, but its official grand reopening is Friday

    • It will be held Friday from 5-7:30 p.m. at 5414 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach.

    • It took the nonprofit more than four months to rebuild after the hurricanes 

    The Artist Guild of Anna Maria Island had a “soft” opening on Jan. 24, but its official grand reopening is Friday.

    Creating art from an idea is second nature for Kathy Patterson.

    “I have been interested in art since I was young,” she said.

    Her years of experience have also led her to teach art.

    Patterson, who is president of the Artist Guild of Anna Maria Island, explained why she loves art.

    “Oh, it’s a great way to relax,” she said. “It’s a great way to get that creativity out.”

    She wanted to share the beauty of art with everyone, so she started working for the nonprofit six years ago. The organization allows its members to showcase and sell their artwork. It also offers scholarships to high school students, along with educational tours.

    “We have an amazing location — we are right here in tourist land,” Patterson said. “And while we have great residents that come and buy our art, we also have an awful lot of vacationers.”

    But when Hurricane Helene came through, its storm surge filled the nonprofit’s building with more than 3 feet of water, which ruined most of the artists’ work.

    “Some removed it to big trash cans and threw it out. The problem was, it wasn’t just water, it was nasty water,” Patterson said.

    It took the nonprofit more than four months to rebuild the gallery with some help from the art community.

    “They chipped in a few different ways, volunteering and monetarily supporting,” she said.

    Now, as Patterson looks on at newly added art, she hopes to recreate the same atmosphere the building once had.

    “I think just being able to be part of the whole community again, helping out, and reaching out to the schools again, that’s what we are most excited about,” she said.

    Patterson knows the Artist Guild not only helps local artists like herself, but also makes an impact in the community.

    The grand reopening is set for 5-7:30 p.m. at 5414 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Dade City residents working to restore properties months after Milton

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    DADE CITY, Fla. — Homeowners in Dade City are still feeling the repercussions from Hurricane Milton four months on.

    What You Need To Know

    • Four months after Hurricane Milton, homeowners in Dade City are still feeling the repercussions of the storm

    • Residential areas were submerged under water, leaving homeowners stranded and unable to get to their homes

    • Pasco County says following the hurricanes and heavy rain, the state provided pumps and trucks to help relieve flooding in some areas

    • Pumps were redeployed outside of the county in early December, however, the county says if homeowners applied for FEMA assistance to follow up with them


    The hurricane left residential areas completely under water, leaving homeowners stranded and unable to get to their homes. Residents are wondering what to do next.

    “We’re not able to access our property because we can’t get to it, because it’s wet,” Kim Barnes said.

    For the last 20 years, Barnes and her husband have been living on their property. But nothing would prepare them for what they witnessed last fall.

    “Luckily, my son has a canoe, and we had to rescue the people that lived here and the people that were here who had a toddler,” said Barnes. “We had to keep going back and forth because we still had a cat in our house to feed and to take care of. We got the pumps here Nov. 1. It took probably about mid-December for the waters to recede a little bit.”

    Their home and surrounding property was submerged under water after flooding of a nearby retention pond from Hurricane Milton. Something that could have been avoided, Barnes says, had the county listened to their previous concerns.

    “We’ve been to so many meetings, fighting it and contesting it,” Barnes said. “Everything on record saying, ‘if you build this development, it’s going to make things worse.’ Not only does it make it worse for us, it makes it worse for everybody downstream. It makes it worse because the water comes from here, from Happy Hill, it comes down, and, actually, affects the people down in Hickory Hill and Fort King.”

    With water now receded, the couple’s attention is working on bringing back their home while remaining hopeful of a solution from the county.

    “I have no idea what they can do to fix this,” said Michael Barnes. “Even if they brought the level up here, which, you can see, would take a ton of dirt, it would displace insane amounts of water on other people.”

    The Barnes say they plan to stay on their property knowing full well what can potentially happen again.

    “It’s just scary because we’ve lost our vehicles,” said Kim. “We had a total loss of our vehicles. I don’t want to lose our vehicles again, I don’t want to be out of our home again.”

    A Pasco County spokesperson says following the hurricanes and heavy rain, the state provided pumps and trucks to help relieve flooding in some areas. However, those pumps were redeployed outside of the county in early December. The county also says if homeowners applied for FEMA assistance, they suggest following up with them.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach to be demolished after hurricanes

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    SARASOTA, Fla. — A popular staple on Lido Beach is set to be demolished following the back-to-back hurricanes.

    The Sandcastle Resort sustained significant damage during both Helene and Milton.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Sandcastle Resort in Lido Beach will be demolished, and a new hotel called “Opal Sandcastle” will open in late 2027

    • The owners had originally planned to demolish the site before the storms hit, but once they hit the resort, it went over the 50% rule and had to be demolished, the owner said

    • Bryan Mets says while it’s sad to see this place go, he is ready to make new memories

    The owner says he already had plans to demolish and rebuild even before the hurricanes, but with all the damage the building sustained in the storms, that sped up his plans by a lot.

    Now, people are saying goodbye to a community gem.

    Bryan and his wife, Lowis Metz, first stayed at The Sandcastle Resort in Lido Beach in 1978.

    The two went there for their honeymoon when they were only 20 and 21 at the time.

    “I thought it was the most beautiful thing ever, and this place just screamed Florida,” he said. “It’s sad. It’s hard to see it like this. I’m standing here, and half of me is really not seeing this. I still see what I used to see.”

    And what they see now are all the memories flashing back.

    “It was like two kids, reliving the memory of memory lane,” he said.

    Since their first visit, they’ve made 30 trips — bringing their kids, and then their grandkids.

    Their last trip was in July, about two months before Hurricane Helene hit.

    “I’m so thankful to God that we were here, just here in July. This place is so special. It’s hard to describe just how special it is to us,” Lowis said.

    But now, the owner plans to build a new hotel in its place, called The Opal Sandcastle, set to open in 2027.

    Bryan says while it’s sad to see this place go, he is ready to make new memories.

    “It will be another chapter of The Sandcastle, and it will be great and magnificent,” he said.

    The couple has their 47th anniversary coming up in May, and while they can’t stay at Sandcastle, they’ll be staying at a resort nearby.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Restaurant owner starts food truck after restaurant damaged from hurricanes

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    SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — A restaurant in St. Armands that has been a staple for over 25 years is struggling to recover after being flooded by two hurricanes.

    As the owner waits on insurance money to rebuild, he has found another way to keep serving customers.

    What You Need To Know

    • Buonissimo Food Truck was started as a way to make money and pay for repairs to their restaurant in St. Armands Circle called Le Colonne

    • Simone Salustri is the owner and he says they were flooded twice, looted twice and lost millions of dollars

    • Simone isn’t giving up. “This place means everything to me. It’s all my life,” he said.

    This restaurant was the heart of one family’s calling. When storm surge from both Helene and Hurricane Milton flooded their building, they felt all was lost. But now, their legacy is back in action — on wheels.

    Simone Salustri never imagined serving his family’s recipes on the road.

    Cooking is a skill he inherited as a kid growing up in Rome.

    “We are all chefs in our family. My father has been running restaurants, cooking all his life,” he said.

    Since October, he has been dishing out meals with his fiancée, Amber, out of his food truck called Buonissimo.

    It’s an idea he had since his restaurant in St. Armands, Le Colonne, was flooded during the storms, leaving more than five feet of water inside.

    But the food truck is helping.

    He says it is a way to make money since the restaurant has been closed.

    And also a way to pay for the repairs.

    “I honestly don’t know what I would have done if I didn’t have the food truck. Soon, payments were coming up, and everything was coming up,” he said.

    He says it was a one-two punch. After Helene, they started rebuilding, but then Milton came.

    “After the second storm, we had no funds left, and we really had to wait. We sat back waiting for insurance,” he said.

    The restaurant was also looted twice.

    Simone says between the hurricanes and the looters, he’s lost millions of dollars and is still waiting on insurance money.

    For now, he’s holding on to what he has left.

    “This place means everything to me. It’s all my life,” he said. Which is why he’s working hard to continue his legacy.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Slicker’s Eatery in Cortez reopens after sustaining damage during Helene

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Despite some setbacks, Slicker’s Eatery is back open after Hurricane Helene flooded and damaged the restaurant.

    Bob Slicker opened his restaurant in Cortez in 2021, but had been closed for the past four months.

    Slicker said he had to start from scratch and replace everything after the storm last year flooded the entire restaurant.

    “Seeing the destruction of the place, I didn’t know if I had the intent of reopening or just getting it cleaned out,” he said.

    What You Need To Know

    • Slicker’s Eatery in Cortez is back open after being closed for 4 months after Hurricane Helene flooded and damaged the restaurant

    • Bob Slicker acquired a small business loan to get it back up and running again

    • The owner said he’s anticipating Slicker’s Eatery will return to full business hours next week

    After acquiring a small business loan, and with the support of the community, he was able to rebuild and reopen.

    “We know we are never going to make up what we lost, but if we can get ahead, that’s cool,” he expressed.

    Slicker said the closure had a ripple effect.

    “You not only lose your income, but the bills don’t stop coming. We had health insurance, electric, gas, rent for the building…all of that stuff never stops. The four months were very long for us,” he said.

    But now, he has one main goal:

    “Seeing people smile and giving the best product we can give them,” he said.

    Slicker’s Eatery also won the Small Business Award from The Anna Maria Chamber of Commerce. The owner says he’s anticipating Slicker’s Eatery will return to full business hours next week.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Coquina Beach Cafe reopens after being closed for four months

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — A popular place on Anna Maria Island is back in business after being closed since Hurricane Helene.

    Phil Francisco is the shift lead at Coquina Beach Café in Bradenton Beach.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Coquina Beach Café in Bradenton Beach reopened on Saturday 

    • The café had been closed since Hurricane Helene went through Anna Maria Island and was damaged by both hurricanes

    • The Coquina Beach Café is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week

    The Coquina Beach Café reopened last Saturday after being closed for nearly four months due to damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

    “We did a soft opening a few days ago, and people have been finding out about it here and there. I have a feeling once we start rolling, it’s not going to stop,” he explained.

    Seeing customer after customer, it’s as if this place didn’t skip a beat.

    “It feels good, you know? After four months of cleaning, drywall tear-outs, removal, and sand shoveling, it feels good being back, serving friends, doing what we like to do here,” he said.

    And Francisco says the staff has picked up right where they left off, as well.

    “Well, we were lucky enough that not only do we have a second location, so we had a spot that we could go that has been open for a few months. But the family that puts this place on the Enoch’s are amazing people. They literally kept us busy, kept us fed, kept us mindful,” he explained.

    All of that hard work shows not just in the appearance, but also in the customer experience.

    “I didn’t realize how important these locations were to everybody’s mental state for 25, 30 years. When people didn’t see the café open, they weren’t doing well. The minute that the Gulf Drive location popped open, we had people stopping in from all over the place — people from all over the world, even. It’s like a spot that’s home,” he said.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Manatee County to make decision on Annie’s Bait & Tackle within 30 days

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Time is ticking for a bait shop that has been in Cortez for over 60 years. Now, county commissioners have 30 days to decide if they can rebuild it since it was damaged by the hurricanes.

    What You Need To Know

    • Manatee County officials will take 30 days to decide what to do with Annie’s Bait & Tackle

    • After the recent hurricanes the county says the shop was red-tagged, and the repairs would cost more than 50 percent of the property value

    • The owners just hope they can rebuild and reopen for business

    • BELOW: Commissioner Bearden full statement to Spectrum News


    Anna Gaffey’s father owns Annie’s Bait and Tackle, a place she grew up in.

    “I spent my whole life here — birthday parties, just my whole life here,” she said.

    Her dad, Bruce Shearer, has owned the business since 1996. He says it is known as the main bait and gas stop in Cortez, but a lot has changed since hurricanes Helene and Milton.

    “The water came up so fast. It came, and you checked this place — half an hour later, the water had risen this high,” he said.

    Since then, county officials say the shop was red-tagged, and the repairs would cost more than 50 percent of the property value.

    “They put a tag on, and you call city hall. If you’re familiar with that, it’s a slow road. Then they started talking demolition,” he said.

    Manatee County bought the land the bait shop sits on in December, so it’s up to county administrators to decide what to do with it.

    However, at Tuesday’s county commissioners meeting, several residents spoke during public comment urging commissioners to save Annie’s. One commissioner, Jason Bearden, appreciated the appeals and pushed county staff to find a solution.

    “County Administrator Bishop, I need you to figure out how to make that building up to code to make Annie’s continue, no ifs, ands, or buts,” he said.

    A motion from Bearden passed, saying the county has 30 days to do a feasibility study on what is needed to bring the building back up to code. It’s a decision the business owner supports.

    “They’re going to assess the building to see what it’s going to cost to fix it and what it’s going to take to bring it up to code.”

    For now, Shearer and Gaffey are left waiting to see if their favorite place will be able to move forward.

    “I’ve put 30 years into it — does that tell you anything?” Shearer said.

    Commissioner Bearden provided a statement to Spectrum News to explain his reasoning for the motion to finish the feasibility study in 30 days. He said: “Too often, elected officials focus on reasons why something can’t be done instead of directing staff to find a way to make it happen. This business matters to the people of this county, which means it matters to me. I will continue to fight to ensure their voices are heard and action is taken.”

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Family-owned Manatee business powers through storm recovery to help residents

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — After last year’s hurricanes, a lumber and hardware store on Anna Maria Island has been essential in helping the community recover — despite facing a rebuilding process of their own.

    What You Need To Know

    • Island Lumber and Hardware in Holmes Beach worked hard to reopen just four days after Hurricane Helene swept through Anna Maria Island

    • The family business had to recover at the same time as trying to open to serve people in the community

    • Joe Garbus says business has been nonstop since the storms

    When demand is high, Joey Garbus works even harder.

    “Since day one after Helene, it’s been ridiculously crazy. So many customers,” he said. “And then we’re getting about five or six semis of material every single day.”

    Garbus is the manager at Island Lumber and Hardware, a business that has been in his family since 1982.

    “It’s almost like a second home for me here,” he said.

    He says it has been nonstop work since the hurricanes. The family worked hard to reopen on Sept. 30 — just four days after Hurricane Helene flooded their hardware store.

    Garbus says the storm surge damaged two of their forklifts, and they lost two dumpsters’ worth of supplies.

    “We’ve got two feet of water in the whole store, so we lost everything up to here,” he explained, pointing to the height of the water during Helene’s storm surge.

    One fast-selling item for island residents: doors.

    “But they’re coming faster than we can get them out, so they’re overflowing,” he said.

    Garbus says his family’s business has always been there for the community, but recently, he feels they’re helping more than ever before.

    “It’s been super tough, but it’s very rewarding. Helping people with their homes, people who have been devastated, it puts a smile on their face and on ours. We’re here to help,” he said.

    It’s that service Garbus and his family provide to help their fellow residents rebuild their island homes.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • FEMA disaster survivors displaced again after Lakeland hotel fire

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — Several Polk County residents are displaced after an early-morning fire Friday.

    What You Need To Know

    • FEMA disaster survivors were displaced by an early-morning fire at Imperial Swan Hotel and Suites on Friday 

    • The Lakeland Fire Department says the fire started on the second floor of the hotel

    • Displaced residents can search here for participating FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance hotels


    The Lakeland Fire Department says it happened at about 5:40 a.m. at the Imperial Swan Hotel and Suites, which was providing temporary shelter to disaster survivors through FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA).

    Resident Mariah Brooks stood outside the hotel with what was left of her belongings. She says she and her children were asleep Friday when they were startled by fire alarms.

    “I was completely unprepared,” she said. “No time to grab bottles, no time to grab formula, no time to grab a diaper bag.”

    Brooks says she initially thought the fire was a hoax after experiencing false alarms since October. She says the incident didn’t feel real until she saw water shoot from a second-floor window.

    “And then we couldn’t go back up. There was no going back up. Once it happened, it happened,” she said.

    It is forcing her to relive a nightmare similar to the day her home was flooded during Hurricane Milton.

    “When you gain a loss, you expect to gain improvement from it. You expect there to be a silver lining,” she said. “Coming here, I thought it would be a safety net, a house, and a roof over my kids’ heads, which has turned into the most disastrous situation you can imagine.”

    While the blaze was contained to one hotel room on the second floor, Stephanie Lewis with the Lakeland Fire Department says firefighters shut off the building’s water main after its sprinkler system was activated. She says people can no longer stay inside until the owner repairs the system and addresses several pending fire code violations.

    “Standard procedure — we do have places with fire code violations, and we work with them. It’s not an immediate shutdown,” she said. “If it’s something that we think is a life safety concern, obviously that’s when it gets shut down, and currently, that’s the state of this particular facility.”

    In the meantime, Lewis says survivors were able to grab as many of their belongings as they could. They can also search here for TSA-participating hotels or contact a TSA agent at 1-800-621-3362 for assistance.

    However, it is ultimately left to each family to secure accommodations, which Brooks says is unfortunate.

    “It’s very defeating. I feel like I don’t know where to turn or where I’m going to go but pray to God that he’ll get me there,” she says.

    State fire marshals are currently investigating the cause of the fire. Officials say there were no casualties except for a dog that was in the hotel room at the time of the fire.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Citrus County making its final push collecting hurricane debris

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    LECANTO, Fla. — Citrus County is entering its final push to finish collecting debris left behind by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

    What You Need To Know

    • A final push to collect hurricane debris left over from Hurricanes Helene and Milton is being made across Citrus County

    • Close to 25,000 tons of debris has been collected since Helene hit the Nature Coast
    • With the FEMA debris pickup deadline extended to 120 days, those with the county say they are on track to have all debris cleared by the end of January
    • Crews will continue making rounds to collect until the end of the month


    Since Hurricane Helene hit the Nature Coast less than three months ago, close to 25,000 tons of debris has been collected. But there’s more to be picked up before the job is done.

    It’s down to a matter of weeks. With the FEMA debris pickup deadline extended to 120 days, those with the county say they are on track to have all debris cleared by the end of January.

    “It’s been a non-stop process, six to seven days a week with all hands-on deck,” said Citrus County Road Maintenance Director James Sterling.

    Throughout neighborhoods in Citrus County, you’ll find contractors hard at work collecting debris. Tree limbs and branches are a final memory from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

    “We’re a little over 50, almost 60,000 cubic yards of vegetation throughout the county that’s been picked up to date,” Sterling said. “We’re in the final stages of picking it up and making our final rounds.”

    Work has taken a little longer than expected — the threat of Milton shortly after Helene delayed the cleanup. But FEMA extended their debris deadline from 90 days to 120 days since Helene hit. Sterling says it’s been a non-stop effort for more than three months to get the county back on its feet.

    “Having the storms so close back-to-back, we had to go into more of an emergency removal mode and get everything that was on the ground already because the forecast was for another high surge with Milton,” Sterling said. “And, thankfully, we didn’t receive that.”

    Debris is being placed at three dump-off sites. Vegetative debris is being burned at one location and at Inverness Airport. It’s an effective method, Sterling said, to help dispose of the unwanted mess.

    “There’s people that were just getting in town about a month ago, which is two months after the storm starting their clean-up,” he said. “It seems like it’s prolonged it a little bit, but we’re here to do what needs to be done to make sure the county is cleaned up and we can help the citizens.”

    Sterling says if there are still residents with debris to go ahead and place that at the curb of your home. Crews will continue making rounds to collect until the end of the month.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Anna Maria Island Historical Museum, damaged by hurricanes, to open in March

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Floodwaters from last year’s hurricanes damaged several priceless artifacts at the Anna Maria Island Historical Society and Museum.

    Now, its board is trying to assess each artifact and repair the building.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum is currently closed and is undergoing repairs due to damages from the hurricanes

    • The board has paid for a restoration expert to help restore some of the artifacts that were damaged due to floodwaters

    • Anna Maria Island Historical Society says they hope to reopen the first week of March, just in time for the Heritage Festival

    “This unbelievably messy structure is housing the items we have saved,” said Carolyn Orshak, the museum’s president.

    Thousands of artifacts dating back to the 1800s are housed in the museum. Some were damaged by the hurricanes.

    “Some of these are really irreplaceable,” she said.

    A dozen artifacts were destroyed beyond repair, but others are still being salvaged.

    “We don’t want to get rid of anything. You can see some water damage on this sleeve here, but I think we can save that,” she said.

    For now, there is hope that these priceless pieces can be restored.

    “We have a restoration expert that we have hired to work with us on this project of restoring this museum,” she said.

    As far as the building goes, it’s also getting repaired — at the cost of leaving some of its history behind. The original flooring, which dated back to the 1920s, had to be removed.

    “It was bad. You slid on the floors. Everything. It looked like a bomb went off. It really did look like a bomb went off,” she said.

    The nonprofit relies on donations, and more money is needed to pay for the repairs.

    “This museum is loved by the community. They have embraced us and supported us,” she said.

    That kind of support is what the Historical Society is counting on so that the island’s history can live on.

    Anna Maria Island Historical Society hopes to reopen the first week of March, just in time for the Heritage Festival.

    If you would like to donate money to help pay for repairs from the damages, you can on their website here.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Family of 9 finds new housing in Wesley Chapel after Milton

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    WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — A family of nine from Hillsborough County, including two children with special needs, lived together under one roof until Hurricane Milton destroyed their home after 25 years. 

    What You Need To Know

    • A family of nine from the Forest Hills area, including two children with special needs, lived together under one roof until Hurricane Milton destroyed their home after 25 years

    • The family has since sold their home at a loss to pay off their mortgage and start over

    • Unable to find a place where they could all stay together, the Torres family had to split into different households

    • The Torres family is in need of some specialized items — to learn how to help, visit this link for more information


    The Torres’ home is one of many in that community that flooded during Hurricane Milton. The family has since sold their home at a loss to pay off their mortgage and start over.

    After spending months in hotels, they found a new home in Wesley Chapel just in time for the new year, although it doesn’t fit the entire family.

    Gwendolyn Torres says being split into different households is an adjustment that family members with special needs are still getting used to.

    “We’re all apart, my daily routine with my special needs grandson, who I see very infrequently now. He had to start a new ABA program,” she added.

    Torres’ son, who also has special needs, is staying with her, but one box at a time, Torres is gradually making her new place feel like home.

    “Yep, that’s all that matters,” she said while glancing at a cell phone video of her grandchildren during Christmas. “Everything else is replaceable,” 

    Spectrum News first talked with Torres in October, after the National Guard evacuated her family. 

    She says the overflow of a retention pond across the street from her home was unexpected.

    “Over 25 years, this (water) has never come out,” she said then.

    Torres didn’t think flood insurance was necessary since that area is in Zone X and, according to FEMA, is not considered a flood zone. 

    One day, she hopes they can all reunite under one roof. Until then, Torres says she’ll continue to advocate for her family and the needs of other storm victims so they won’t be forgotten. 

    “I suffered through that. And still now, FEMA’s assistance is still pending,” she said. “A lot of you know, we’re struggling and we’re still trying to rebuild. And everybody’s Milton’s come and gone, and life has gone on for everybody else. But this is still our reality, and this is still what we’re dealing with.”

    The family is in need of some specialized items.

    To learn how to help, visit this link for more information.

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    Fadia Patterson

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  • Gulf Harbors family build back home, all while fighting another battle

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    NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — As many gather with family to celebrate the holidays, there are still homeowners continuing the recovery process after the hurricane season.

    What You Need To Know

    • Homeowners in the Gulf Harbors community are still building back their homes after the hurricane season

    • For one family, building back their home has been all the more exhausting, considering they are fighting another battle

    • Ralph Cramton was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia cancer three and a half years ago, being told he had six months to a year and a half to live

    • Despite having to rebuild his home, despite his cancer diagnosis, Cramton remains positive through it all


    In the Gulf Harbors community, some could be seen working on Christmas Eve. A task that actually has some feeling thankful.

    Trekking through the cluttered halls of his home, Ralph Cramton and his wife tidy up. The Cramton’s home, like many in Gulf Harbors, was impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton.

    For almost 40 years, they have called the neighborhood home. This last hurricane season, however, was unlike any they had experienced before. Leaving them with quite a bit of work to do.

    “It is pretty tedious,” said Cramton.

    All the more exhausting when you realize there is another battle being fought.

    “I’m not supposed to be here, not supposed to feel good, but I do and I thank God for that,” Cramton said.

    Cramton was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia cancer three and a half years ago. He was told he had six months to a year and a half to live.

    “It’s amazing, even to me, that I have the energy to even do this work because most times, if you have AML, you can’t do this kind of stuff,” he said. “You can’t handle the dust, you don’t have the energy, it changes your life.”

    On top of building back his home, Cramton is still balancing a job. Working from home, he says, as a software engineer. Now, with a little more work to do.

    “I just got the permit earlier this week. I put in the insulation already and I’m going to do the dry wall and put that in.”

    Despite having to rebuild his home, despite his cancer diagnosis, Cramton remains positive with a laugh and a smile through it all.

    “I’m blessed, I’ve always been blessed,” he says. “There are people who suffer far more than I can ever imagine, even with the things we’ve gone through. I have nothing to be upset about. I’m thankful. I’m just thankful that I can do it.”

    Thankful to still have their home and thankful for their lives. Cramton says he hopes he and his wife will be able to return to their home in two to three weeks’ time.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Displaced hurricane victims find refuge at Pasco Hope

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — The summer hurricanes may be in the past for Tampa Bay residents, but for others, the effects are still felt.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pasco Hope can house up to 100 people

    • Pasco Hope housing opened up Oct. 31

    • Many of the people living at the site lost their homes from the hurricanes


    Many people lost their homes and didn’t have anywhere to go. 

    Seeing this problem, Pasco Hope opened up cottages and campers for community members to move into. 

    Lucy Fontanez is one of the people living in a camper. 

    “The first day, of course, I was nervous,” she said. “I had never lived in a mobile home or trailer before.” 

    Lucy has been living at the site for around two weeks. 

    Before the hurricanes, she lived in a condo in New Port Richey. 

    With severe damage to her home, she couldn’t stay.

    For months, she lived in other places, including a hotel and a shelter in Hudson. 

    “We were sleeping on the floor with just a little blanket,” she said. “It was very hard, and I found myself in a shelter with around 300 people.” 

    The Director of the Pasco Hope Disaster Shelters, Danielle Husband, said they can shelter up to 100 people between the cottages and campers. 

    They first opened on Oct. 31.

    Husband said many of those living there are going through similar situations to Lucy. 

    “A lot of the folks here were living in mobile park homes or they were renting and the landlords decided that they are not going to fix the property,” she said. “So we’ve got a lot of people now that went from being stably housed for a long time to now having no housing options. So we’re here to help bridge that gap.”

    Pasco Hope said they hope to help the unsheltered community members in Pasco County for years to come and Lucy is hopeful she’ll return to her condo in the next four to five months.

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    Matt Lackritz

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