CLEARWATER, Fla. — They were there for us during the storm, and now first responders are also among those in the city of Clearwater who are working to restore their lives following Hurricane Helene.
Patrick Brafford, a lifeguard manager, is one of 35 city of Clearwater employees who have sustained significant losses.
"We're all in this together right now, doesn't matter which way you look at the moment it's, everybody is suffering," Brafford said.
Outside of Brafford's home on Bruce Avenue is a pile of debris, cherished memories that had to be tossed because of flood damage from water that got inside.
Brafford said he and his family heeded the warning and evacuated before the storm hit.
He's now in the process of gutting his home, but still, he remains optimistic.
"This is our life, everyone's lives right now everybody's yard right now tells a story, my kids first toys," he pointed out.
Half of the 35 employees impacted are with police and fire departments.
"I look at my brothers and sisters, police and fire, any city position whether they're boots on the ground I cannot begin to describe the amount of work and effort everything that's going on and has been put into this point," he said.
Tiffany Makras expects to learn about more employees who have been impacted but haven't yet reported it.
"I like to think of us all as first responders, every city employee right now, it's an all-hands-on-deck situation," she said.
The city's human resources department wants employees to know help is on the way.
They're offering vacation "sell back" options as well as a time-off donation bank that other employees can contribute to.
"A lot of these folks are the ones wanting to help and have a difficult time asking for help so really my message is, it's okay we're here. There's an army of support that's ready and willing and able," she said.
Despite all that has been lost, for Patrick, the continued support shows the power of humanity remains intact.
"If you saw what this place looked like on day one when the sun came up, if you look around it's bad but amazing, it gives you hope, it's really an example of the human spirit," he said.
He expects it could take six months or longer to move back into his home.
Right now, the city doesn't have a way for the community to contribute, but folks are encouraged to keep an eye on their website and social media pages.
