Parts of Charlotte County remain without power and cell service as a haunting reminder of Hurricane Milton’s fierce impact, a mere 24 hours after the storm rumbled through. Destruction is strewn across El Jobean, where fences lay scattered alongside roads, carports have been torn from their homes, and shattered boardwalks testify to the hurricane’s wrath, as boats find themselves washed up on the roadside.
In Englewood, the situation is equally grim, with thousands still in the dark and a nearly nonexistent cell signal complicating communication. Access to Manasota Key remains blocked, leaving residents feeling isolated, and the local hospital continues to be shuttered, unable to serve those in urgent need.
Among the beleaguered residents are Cecilia Carlston and Mark Bellehumeur, who reflect on their neighborhood’s devastation with heavy hearts. They say the damage is a sight that stings with familiarity and grief.
Cecilia shares her sorrow, stating, “Sad. It’s just so sad because everybody just fixed everything.” Their journey in El Jobean began in 2008, a time when hope thrived in their community. However, after spending the last two years restoring their home post-Hurricane Ian, they find themselves once again grappling with the aftermath.
Mark adds with a tone of disbelief, “Fixed everything up, and in the blink of an eye, it’s gone again.” The couple’s pain echoes through the streets, where the remnants of their previous struggles lay under piles of debris.
‘In the blink of an eye, it’s gone AGAIN,’ Milton hit Charlotte Co hard, rebuild begins
With Milton’s passing came uprooted trees and downed street signs, while streets transformed into rivers, bearing witness to significant storm surge. Their reflections resonate: this time, the impacts don’t quite measure up to the devastation wrought by Ian.
Mark comments on the relative fortune of their community, stating, “This time it faired a lot better than when Ian hit. Ian destroyed three-quarters of this park.” Yet even this perspective cannot green the loss felt by surrounding neighborhoods, where homes have vanished without a trace.
Just ten minutes away, Jack Rice offers a different perspective on the storm’s effects. Recently moved into a sturdy abode designed to withstand heavy winds, Jack recounts his experience with a wry chuckle. “We rode through Helen, and we thought, ‘Hey, if it gets into the house and floods us, I’m 80 and only got so much longer to go.’” Surprisingly, his home only saw an occasional drop of rain, thanks to steel hurricane screens that guarded his lanai.
Yet his garden, a haven of vibrancy, endured less luck, but it doesn’t deter his spirits. He expresses gratitude for modern building codes, stating, “The way they’re building them today, you’re getting a house that doesn’t make me worried sitting here through a hurricane.” It’s a testament to resilience, yet the shared knowledge that Hurricane Milton won’t be the last hangs heavy in the air.
For the residents of Charlotte County, the need for reconstruction and community support is more pressing than ever. Those affected by Hurricane Milton can find helpful resources and information to assist in their recovery efforts.
