Florida’s barrier islands reeling from Hurricanes Milton and Helene
Despite grave losses from Hurricanes Milton and Helene, many residents of Florida's barrier islands say they have no intention of leaving.
He’s lived through many storms in his 30 years on Longboat Key, but Bob Parrish said he’s never before seen the level of destruction that Hurricane Helene blew into town a little more than two weeks ago.
The 6-foot wall of seawater that surged in and flooded out dozens of homes and businesses — and destroyed his prized Camaro — left the island of about 7,500 residents along Florida’s Gulf Coast reeling, he said.
And so on Monday, days before Milton — an even bigger storm — was predicted to strike Florida’s west coast, Bob and his wife, Mary, who weathered out Helene at home, decided to flee. After making about 30 phone calls, they finally wound up in a motel room in Lakeland, an inland city more than 80 miles away.
Cars are seen buried in sand after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Treasure Island, Florida.Kayla McCormick / NBC NewsEver since, the couple has been holed up with their two dogs, not knowing what’s become of their community, one of several barrier islands battered for a second time in as many weeks.
“We’ve not been back or able to figure out yet whether we even have a home to return to,” Parrish told NBC News on Friday.
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