When Hurricane Helene battered Florida’s Gulf Coast this week, one of the hardest-hit areas was the small town of Steinhatchee, which was overwhelmed by a 10-foot storm surge and 140 mph winds.
Most of the town’s 500 residents evacuated the area — and returned to find their homes and businesses destroyed.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said Donna Landon, whose mobile home just outside the town limits was a total loss.
“We’ve been wiped off the map. There’s nothing left. I have some insurance but now I have to rebuild.”
The Post toured Steinhatchee — about 90 miles southeast of state capital Tallahassee — on Friday. Few buildings were left standing, and the ones that were suffered significant damage.
“I don’t think there’s anyone who hasn’t been touched by this,” Landon said. “But this is a community where everyone looks out for each other.”
Helene’s Path of Destruction
- Helene slammed into Florida’s Big Bend coastline Thursday night as a category 2 hurricane, pounding the state with 155 mph gusts and killing at least 13.
- Helene moved northeast into Georgia, where it was downgraded to a tropical storm by Friday morning, but winds and floods left 25 dead in the state.
- By Friday afternoon Helene had moved over parts of Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, where at least 29 died.
- Relentless rain drenched Appalachia Friday night, sending floodwaters and mudslides crashing through mountain towns.
- In North Carolina, at least 35 people died in the Asheville area, and a tornado injured 15 in Rocky Mount.
- Over the weekend, rescuers struggled to clear roads and recover bodies. The death toll is 132 and counting, and as many as 600 remain missing.
On Friday, linemen from four surrounding states rolled into town to attempt to repair the destroyed power grid and restore electricity to the town — but it’s a long road ahead.
“It’s going to take weeks to fix it,” warned Russ Rhodes, who was part of a crew repairing a downed power pole.
“We’re basically going to have to start from scratch.”
Roy’s Restaurant, on the banks of the Steinhatchee River, was completely destroyed by Hurricane Helene’s wrath — just nine months after reopening from Hurricane Idalia’s last year.
“Our employees are safe,” the restaurant’s manager said in a Facebook Live. “The restaurant didn’t fare as well. But that’s all right. We’re thinking of our community and our employees, and everyone who is affected out there. We love them.”
Roy’s owner Linda Wicker vowed to rebuild the 54-year-old local staple again.
“I think we need to do that,” Wicker told the Palm Beach Post, adding that she has more than 30 employees. “It’s insured, but it’s never enough.”
Steinhatchee, like much of Florida’s Gulf Coast, continues to grapple with the destructive aftermath of the Category 4 storm, which caused ferocious winds and historic flooding.
At least 45 people have been killed as of Saturday afternoon.
In the nearby town of Perry, nearly 7,000 residents are assessing the damage. Trees blocked many of the main roads, and electrical poles have splintered into several pieces. Roofs have been ripped off homes, and there is no electricity or running water.
“I’ve been in Florida all my life,” Nancy Belleville, 80, said. “My entire life, and it’s never been this bad. But I’m still alive and everyone I love is still alive, so I’m grateful to God for sparing us.”
Helene weakened on Saturday as it passed over western Kentucky and the Tennessee border.
By Sunday, it will move across the central Appalachians with small pockets of rain and weakened wind gusts.
