CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. — Flood water is now receding in Crystal River where Hurricane Debby brought feet of storm surge. And as clean-up begins, many are thankful it wasn’t as bad as what Idalia brought to the area last year.
Ahead of the storm, Citrus County officials ordered mandatory evacuations for those living west of US-19 in the city, the road later shutting down after being inundated with water Monday.
Many of the roads near Kings Bay were closed to vehicles as water started to overflow with high tide meeting storm surge and sending water into areas that are no stranger to flooding.
In the evacuation zone, seasoned residents prepared their homes by sandbagging and sealing doors before heading to higher ground.
“Over the years we’ve been flooded three times, so trying to learn from all that without having to tear at all down and rebuild a house,” Ron Bland, who built a wooden wall in front of his front door, said. “We watched the tides and hoped for the best."
That’s what business owners in the area did as well while reflecting on the damage brought by Idalia last year.
“We got about 16 inches in our storefront,” said Anthony Altman the owner of Explorida, while pointing to where the water line was marked on the wall.
Altman watched the water continue to rise out front of his store, while inside, they took everything off the ground and out of the potential path of water that thankfully didn’t make it inside.
“We really anticipate the flood, I’ve lived here my whole life and this is just part of life here,” he added.
On the other side of the popular Citrus Avenue, businesses had water reach their doors and some get inside. A smoothie shop that opened just last month was being aired out after getting a few inches of water in.
For a community that has been battered by severe weather over the past year, they take solace in knowing they have each other's backs to recover once again.
“So it’s tough, but it makes us stronger," Altman said. "We are a strong community, things don’t phase us, so its all about just getting back and getting open and moving on -- and if we are good and safe, we are going to help our neighbors, and get them dry and get them open for business."
Citrus County deputies continue patrolling the area, while assessing the damage in residential areas still blocked to traffic.
The sheriff’s office is encouraging people to report any damage here.