MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. — Hurricane Helene’s destruction continues to linger across Tampa Bay, notably within the small but popular Pinellas County barrier island, Madeira Beach.
10 Tampa Bay was one-on-one with Madeira Beach Mayor Anne-Marie Brooks on Monday, who said it’s now clear the city will never look the same again.
"I don’t believe there was any person in the city who wasn’t impacted by Helene and then again Milton," Mayor Brooks said.
Among Brooks' many concerns is the well-being of Madeira Beach's roughly 4,000 full-time residents and what will happen if many can't afford to rebuild.
The city estimates roughly 1,700 properties, homes and condos, were damaged by Hurricane Helene.
"It was devastating," Brooks said. "People were literally bringing their entire lives to the street corner."
Brooks said in recent weeks that it’s become clear, partly due to the FEMA 50/50 rule, that the hurricanes will push out countless residents.
"When you drive around our city and look at the little houses that have been here since the 50s, they are the fishing village. If those individuals aren’t in a position to build up, they’re going to sell and the person buying is not the local person," she said.
Brian Azevedo has lived in Madeira Beach for five decades, but he's among those now looking to sell over rebuilding.
"I’ve never seen anything like this, so I’m out of here, I’m not going to do this anymore. I just can’t do it," he said.
He foresees the hurricanes speeding up change to this island town that was already creeping in.
"It changed quite a while ago," Azevedo said. "It used to be all cottages and two-lane roads. And you see the progress, you see what Clearwater Beach turned out to be and that’s what this will turn out to be."
But Mayor Brooks says they’re doing all they can to ensure locals have the chance to stay rooted.
"Our goal in the city is to help as many residents keep their homes and get back in them because that defines our city and who we are," she said.
Mayor Brooks said help from FEMA has been slow-moving, but the city is working with locals to explore all their options, including grants and various loan programs.
Wednesday afternoon, Madeira Beach City Council will hold its first meeting since Hurricane Helene to discuss the challenges facing the city, and how they’ll continue to recover from an estimated $5 million in damages to city infrastructure.