Residents of the tiny coastal community of Steinhatchee experienced the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene as it made landfall on Thursday night. Charles and Dana Webb narrowly escaped the destruction of their wooden cottage by seeking refuge in a sturdier concrete house next door. The Category 4 storm caused extensive damage, splitting houses in half, demolishing restaurants, and driving boats onto land.
The sparsely populated region of Florida’s Big Bend area, home to fishing villages and vacation hideaways, faced a storm surge of 10 to 12 feet from Hurricane Helene. The community of Steinhatchee, with fewer than 600 residents, suffered major destruction, with iconic eateries like Roy’s Restaurant and Crabbie Dad’s Bar & Grille completely demolished.
Despite the devastation, residents like Linda Wicker, the owner of Roy’s, are determined to rebuild and restore their businesses. The restaurant, in operation since 1969, had become a beloved local establishment known for its great food and stunning sunset views. The aftermath of Hurricane Helene left a pile of debris and overturned kitchen equipment where the restaurant once stood.
Survivors of the previous year’s Hurricane Idalia were shocked by the extent of the damage caused by Helene, which was forecasted to make landfall further west near Tallahassee. Tina Dilibero, whose home was destroyed by the storm, expressed disbelief as she looked at the spot where her house once stood.
Despite the challenges, residents like the Webbs remain resilient and committed to rebuilding their lives in Steinhatchee. Charles Webb, who marked his arm with his name and birthdate in case of emergency, expressed gratitude for surviving the storm and vowed to stay in the community to raise a family. The road to recovery for Steinhatchee will be long, but the spirit of resilience and community support remains strong in the face of adversity.
Source
Photo credit www.dailynews.com
