BOKEELIA, Fla. — Bokeelia’s roads, once lined with vibrant tropical flora, now bear witness to a stark reality. Appliances and fragments of furniture dot the landscape, remnants of lives disrupted after Hurricane Helene unleashed 3 to 5 feet of storm surge.
“I’ve lived through Dana, from Dana on, and I have never seen anything like this,” mused Robert Ballard, a dedicated Pine Island resident whose roots here run deep.
After 54 years, Ballard’s home, a cherished family legacy, still stands defiantly. Yet, inside, the reality hits hard: he finds himself at the beginning, grappling with the aftermath of a storm that brought unexpected fury. Surrounded by memories of previous storms—Ian who spared him and Charley who only grazed his roof—this time, staying behind felt like a gamble he didn’t anticipate losing.
Watch Bella’s full report below.
‘I have never seen anything like this;’ Bokeelia rebuilds after Helene brought water into homes
“All the hurricanes we’ve had, it’s never flooded, and this hurricane’s 150 miles offshore, and we get flooded. No rhyme or reason too,” reflected Ballard, his voice tinged with disbelief. “When it got out of control, I just started moving things up, and was able to save a lot of stuff.”
Sharing visual fragments of that terrifying night, Robert revealed a glimpse of chaos, as the storm surge seeped into his sanctuary. What once sheltered treasured memories now felt alien.
“It was over my knees when I got outside in the driveway, so I spent the rest of the night in my truck in the garage,” he recalled, the weight of exhaustion evident. In moments like these, he feels bonded to his neighbors, all grappling with the storm’s aftermath in their own way.
“I was out there sitting on my porch, and when I realized how fast it was rising, I went into crisis mode,” recounted Aaron Barreda, founder of the Greater Pine Island Alliance. The organization stands as a beacon of hope, uniting local residents in the face of adversity, working day and night for their community.
Barreda epitomizes the spirit of Pine Island. “We are all resilient, and we love to be Pine Island Strong, but it does get to you when it hits time after time,” he expressed. With two storms weighing heavily on their shoulders, a collective yearning for normalcy surfaces. The community now needs labor and financial support, each contribution a step toward rebuilding what was lost.
In the wake of Helene, the streets tell a story of struggle, resilience, and community. Beyond the muddy remnants of possessions lies a desire to reclaim not just homes, but the essence of Pine Island life. The local businesses, like Woody’s Waterside and The Waterfront Restaurant, stand as pillars of support, providing sustenance and camaraderie to those affected.
Interestingly, the island has a unique history of resilience, having been resilient through countless storms over the years. Yet, each storm ignites a firmer bond among islanders. As they rally together, hope emerges softly amid the wreckage, proving once again that when faced with adversity, the heart of the community beats stronger.
