CLEARWATER, Fla. — As Hurricane Helene sent Gulf waters surging through the streets of Clearwater Beach, it left many of the barrier island’s residents with nothing.
“All of the one-story structures this size are completely damaged. All of them,” said Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector.
Rector, who spent Saturday and Sunday going door-to-door in the hardest-hit areas, said people often think of Clearwater as a ritzy vacation community, but that is not representative of the entire area.
Brian Cleary and his son, Christian, spent the day cleaning and removing damaged furniture from the home where his mother-in-law has lived for about 20 years.
“All her memories and everything are gone,” he said.
A few blocks away, Elisa McCarty and her family worked to remove walls and destroyed belongings after storm surge inundated her mother’s home.
“We're very fortunate that we have family and friends that will jump right in and help us out,” she said.
Neighbors were also ready to lend a helping hand.
“It's heartbreaking. We're trying to do everything-- food trucks, water, but I just see the faces of my neighbors and it hurts,” said Clearwater Beach Neighborhood Association President Samuel Hutkin.
In addition to so many flood-damaged homes, many in Clearwater Beach are still without power, exacerbating the recovery process for those anxious to regain some sense of normalcy.