COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — As Hurricane Helene approaches South Florida, residents are taking proactive steps to safeguard their homes. In Collier County, designated stations are set up to allow residents to fill their own sandbags, a crucial preparation effort that will continue until supplies run out.
Jon Schroeder, a local business owner who endured the devastating impact of Hurricane Ian, is keenly aware of the havoc a storm can wreak. His experience has led him to approach Helene with a sense of gravity. “I lost my entire retirement,” he reflected, sharing the heavy burden of his past losses. His hotel, the Salty Surf Club on Bonita Beach, was nearly obliterated. “It decided to eat the hotel and it took all except two condos,” he recalled, a mixture of disbelief and sorrow evident in his voice.
The scars of Hurricane Ian linger in the memories of many, including Kayla and Taylor Ciotta, who were displaced during that catastrophic storm. “Our home was flooded completely,” they recalled, the weight of that traumatic experience still fresh. “We had to evacuate, and we were late to evacuating. We had water up to our waists.” As they prepare for Helene, the couple can’t shake the fear prompted by past events. “We just don’t want to see our house get destroyed again by hurricanes. We wish they would just stop, but that’s not Mother Nature,” Taylor remarked, a blend of resigned acceptance and heartfelt frustration creeping into her words.
The anticipation of Helene is not merely an exercise in preparedness; it serves as a painful reminder of recent catastrophes. Each sandbag filled at the county stations symbolizes resilience against a force of nature that is as unpredictable as it is formidable. For many in Collier County, this is a time for reflection—on the strength of community, shared experiences, and the stark reality of living in hurricane-prone areas. The storms may keep coming, but so too does the spirit to stand strong against them.
