PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — FEMA’s top leader, Deanne Criswell, traveled to Punta Gorda on Friday to witness the aftermath of the recent torrential storms that have left their mark on this resilient community.
“Part of the reason I’m on the ground is so I can see firsthand some of the challenges these communities are going to face with their recovery,” she expressed, her voice steady yet filled with empathy. The challenges ahead loom like dark clouds—a landscape marred by endless debris, shattered roofs, and the echoes of despair.
“There’s still a lot of hazards out there,” Criswell cautioned FOX 4 Community Correspondent Victoria Scott. “A lot of risks, a lot of downed power lines. There’s a lot of sharp objects and debris, so just please be careful. Take pictures. Document all the damages that you had.”
You can watch Victoria’s full report here:
FEMA’s top leader visits Punta Gorda after Milton
Shorty’s Place, a local hub for residents, now grapples with the remnants of a monster storm. Debris sprawls across the floor, mingling with water damage that tells tales of loss and endurance. It is a gathering spot, but today, it feels heavy with sorrow.
“I was speechless,” bartender Kimberly Moore admitted, her expression a mix of disbelief and heartbreak. “I didn’t have any words. I still don’t. It’s a lot.” Here, laughter has turned into hushed tones as the community reflects on what they have endured.
Once a vibrant scene filled with camaraderie, Shorty’s Place has transformed into a place of mourning.
“We’ve lost everything that wasn’t head-high,” Samantha White, the owner’s daughter, said, her voice tinged with anguish. “We’ve lost liquor. We’ve lost beer. We’ve lost equipment. Our building is going to have to be torn at certain parts.” Each word feels like a small weight added to the burden they carry.
Reflecting on past storms, White shared insights gleaned from Hurricane Helene. “We learned from Helene that we knew water was going to get high, but we didn’t expect it to get this high,” she affirmed. The comparison stings: Helene’s waters reached her knees, while Milton raised them to her waist, then to her hips.
The mud, a remnant of nature’s fury, offered no relief. “We were about ankle-deep in mud right out here in the front,” White remarked. “The parking lot, everything, was just so thick. The first thing we had to do was just start getting brooms and pushing mud to the street.” Each stroke was both a physical task and a poignant reminder of the struggles that lay ahead.
On that same day, FEMA confirmed they received Governor DeSantis’s request to declare a major disaster across Florida’s west coast. Relief may be swift, yet the road to recovery will remain long and arduous for those who have lost so much.
As the community bands together, they embody a spirit of resilience. In moments like these, hope has a way of quietly emerging, nurtured by shared stories, the laughter to come, and the strength of unity in the face of adversity.
