PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) – The house that became a viral image of the January 9 tornadoes last year could be gone.
Construction crews have placed a fence around the home on Gulf Drive, as well as the houses on each side.
An EF-3 tornado lifted the home off its foundation, then set it back down, wedged between the houses on either side of it.
The tilted house owner, James Sturgeon, told WMBB previously that he immediately began clearing debris, securing the property, and planning to demolish the house.
However, when he didn’t act fast enough, the neighbors worried about their own homes and took legal action.
Beginning in June 2024, the court set a number of demolition deadlines. As the first deadline approached, Sturgeon’s attorneys asked the judge for an extension, which was granted.
Then another, and another, and another.
Then on August 15, the judge apparently had enough and ordered Sturgeon to must pay $1,000 a day until crews tear down the home.
The judge also laid out a new timetable, giving the owner until August 27 to sign a demolition contract, September 12 to secure demolition permits, and October 31 to complete the demolition.
On Tuesday, a person affiliated with one of the companies involved said that he demolition will begin as early as next week.
The property owners on either side of Sturgeon’s house still don’t know exactly how much repair work their homes need, or if they can even be salvaged.
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