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This Florida town has now been hit by 3 hurricanes in 13 months

By Austin Williams
Published  October 3, 2024 7:25pm EDT
Hurricanes
FOX TV Digital Team

Americares delivers aid after Hurricane Helene

Mariel Fonteyn, Americares' Director of U.S. Emergency Response, joins LiveNOW from FOX to talk about aid being deployed in Helene's aftermath. President Biden is set to survey the damage in Florida and Georgia.

The Brief:

    • The Florida town of Horseshoe Beach has been hit by three hurricanes—Idalia, Debby, and Helene—in just 13 months.
    • Residents are facing repeated devastation, with homes and businesses destroyed, leaving many without a place to live.
    • Recovery has become increasingly difficult, as many residents cannot afford to rebuild or relocate after losing their savings to previous storms.

For the third time in just over a year, the small fishing town of Horseshoe Beach, Florida, has been devastated by a hurricane. 

The most recent storm, Hurricane Helene, ripped through the area, leaving homes destroyed, businesses flattened, and residents wondering if they can rebuild once again.

The Big Bend area, a sparsely populated stretch of Florida’s Gulf Coast, has been hit by three hurricanes in quick succession—Idalia in 2023, followed by Hurricane Debby in August 2024, and now Helene. This region, known for its pine forests and quiet fishing communities, is dealing with catastrophic losses, including homes and livelihoods washed away.

Residents of this remote area have long lived in houses that are vulnerable to the rising tides and strong winds brought by the hurricanes. For many, flood insurance is simply unaffordable, leaving them with few options after their homes are destroyed.

Brooke Hiers, who sits on Horseshoe Beach’s town council, told the Associated Press, "You always think, ‘Oh, there’s no way it can happen again.’"

For Horseshoe Beach and the surrounding areas, the future remains uncertain. While some are determined to rebuild, others are contemplating leaving the place they’ve called home for generations. The community is facing hard decisions about how to move forward, whether it means rebuilding homes on stilts, investing in RVs they can drive out of harm's way, or relocating entirely.

David Hester (L) and Bo Hester inspect the area after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Horseshoe Beach, Florida, on September 28, 2024.  (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)

"You feel like this could be the end of things as you knew it. Of your town. Of your community," Hiers said, reflecting the sentiment of many in the area who are unsure if they can endure another storm season.

Hiers said she and her husband are considering buying an RV to park on the spot where their home once stood, but they won't return to Horseshoe Beach permanently until this year's hurricane season is over.

The Source:
This article was based on an Associated Press report on the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and its impact on Florida’s Big Bend region, as well as firsthand accounts from residents affected by the storm. This story was reported from Los Angeles.