WEEKI WACHEE GARDENS, Fla. — It’s a scramble for Aaron Ellis to shield his home from potential flooding as the anticipated Hurricane Helene is expected to make landfall in less than 48 hours.
“I work too busy to be nervous at this point,” Ellis said.
Ellis’ Weeki Wachee home flooded from Hurricane Idalia last year.
His neighborhood on the Palm Grove Colony was underwater, forcing several neighbors to throw out damaged furniture, mattresses and all sorts of décor.
Neighbors are just focusing on what they can control by making last-minute preparations, which involve lifting as much as they can inside their homes above ground and barricading parts of the exterior.
Several counties in the Tampa Bay area now have mandatory evacuation orders including Citrus and Hernando counties.
At least six to ten feet of storm surge is anticipated in Hernando County.
The county's emergency management director is urging people, especially in low-lying areas or spots by the coast, to take this storm seriously.
“We want to make sure that citizens take this seriously,” David DeCarlo, the county’s director of emergency management, said.
DeCarlo also underscored how saturated the ground may be due to the heavy rainfall the area has seen, which could be a cause for concern as well.
He also warned there may be a “point of no return.”
First responders may not be able to reach those who choose to ride out the storm in an evacuation zone during the brunt of Helene.
Those like Stephanie Kozuch, who also lives in the neighborhood, said they're worried about the storm surge, but also if wind plays a role in damaging the area.
Kozuch said neighbors were able to help one another during the aftermath of Idalia; a testament to their character.
“It really devastated our community for a while, but we have a really strong community and everybody helped each other,” Kozuch said.
Counties will be having public shelters for vulnerable residents as a last resort.
Hernando County will have its open at West Hernando Middle School in Brooksville beginning at 8 a.m. Wednesday.
In Citrus County, vulnerable residents in need of support may go to Citrus High School or Central Ridge Elementary School beginning at 2 p.m. on Wednesday.