Florida just keeps taking the hits this hurricane season and Helene left so much damage in my little corner of the gulf coast. When locals say run from the water, hide from the wind, this storm was a perfect example. The power of the surge was not something you would want to be caught up in. Many rescues were needed, beachfront homes flooded and belongings were tossed around. Sand was deposited like snow drifts. For my city it was primarily a beach event that will take some time to recover. Both the Venice Jetty and the Venice Pier are closed awaiting repair. The beaches have been cleaned, but are still closed to facilitate clean up efforts.
And, that is what I helped with this week. My volunteer group spent Thursday morning cleaning the beach pavilion area by picking up debris and palm fronds. Also, while the deep sand has been removed from sidewalks and parking areas, there remains a layer of mud/sand that needed to be scraped off.
You want to help where you can, and we are lucky to have first responders and emergency crews to make things safe for the willing hands to start the clean up. Florida knows how to do this well and after one week, it shows. But, as we learned with Hurricane Ian two years ago it, takes time.
Finally, the damage in North Carolina is on another level. It will require so many resources coming together to build back infrastructure, homes and put back together people’s whole lives. So many lost and so much suffering. But, Americans are strong and we help each other. All will be well.
