Everglades City
by Patty Huff
Everglades City dodged the hurricane bullet once again September 26 with Helene moving closer to the Gulf Coast as it headed up to the Big Bend/Panhandle area. During the day we experienced some flooding throughout town, even at low tide. But it was the second high tide (expected around 2 am) that we were all concerned about.
At 8:30 pm the river rose to the bench of our picnic table and by 10 pm the muddy water was coming up our back porch staircase. It was around 1 am that we experienced three feet of water and became concerned that it might come into our home. Time to start moving all the small appliances, dishes, rugs, books, etc, up on top of counters, dining room table, and beds.
All photos courtesy of Patty Huff
As we waited; the water finally stopped rising and started to recede around 2 am. We were definitely the lucky ones with the mud encroaching only our garage and Steve’s shop. Other Everglades City residents and businesses suffered much more damage and had to replace walls and flooring. Most spent the next day helping each other pressure cleaning inside and out.
Once again, as a community we were spared the worst of the storm as it slammed other cities all along the Gulf Coast and beyond – even to the Carolinas. We pray for all those who have lost so much.
