TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. (WFLA) — One year ago, Hurricane Milton devastated the Tampa Bay area. The storm came just days after Hurricane Helene hit.
On Sunset Beach in Treasure Island, Helene brought storm surge and tons of sand that had to be removed. Milton brought wind and more destruction. One year later and many residents are still working to recover.
“We had five to seven feet of water covering the whole Island, covering everyone’s properties, into everyone’s homes or garages and then when the water receded we had from a foot to several feet of sand,” said Steve Walcezak.
His home is raised and the damage was limited to his first floor and cars.
He’s had to fight because of abnormally high water bills because of storm damage.
Like many of his neighbors, he’s also had to wade through the complicated and changing process of getting construction permits.
“It’s been evolving and dynamic, the rules have changed. No one understands what the rules are,” said Walcezak.
A few streets away, David Cole rode out Hurricane Helene in his home.
“Unfortunately, we were here during Helene and then we watched all of the sand and helped our neighbors the best we could and then when Milton said it was on it’s way, that’s when we packed up,” said Cole.
He’s watched as his neighborhood has changed.
“It’s been a slow recovery. You know it’s been like, we’re fine, our place was up above the water so living space for us was fine and unfortunately we’ve watched a lot of cottages like this across the street get tore down,” said Cole.
He says if he learned one thing, it’s to get out before a storm hits.
“Yea, we wouldn’t have stayed during Helene. We were fine but my wife and daughter were scared,” said Cole.
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