Hurricane Milton has wreaked havoc on Manasota Key, a barrier island that has suffered significant destruction and loss, vividly illustrated by two overturned fishing boats stranded near Sunset Point Marina and Resort. The emotional toll is evident as Greg Johnson, a retiree who had recently restored his boat after damage from Hurricane Ian in 2022, reflects on the irreplaceable memories tied to it. He and his wife, Lisa, traveled from North Port to assess the extent of the damage caused by Milton, which struck on October 9, 2023. The couple, alongside their friend Greg Sharp, who lost his own boat in the storm, are now grappling with the community-wide devastation affecting about 1,300 residents on the island. Many have lost significant portions of their homes and property, highlighting the cascading toll of severe weather events on the region.
The destruction is not limited to the oceanfront; significant damage extends into the Englewood mainland, particularly in areas around Indian Mound Park. Residents there faced fierce storm surges, leaving many homes severely compromised. Work crews and contractors are flooding the area, seeking to assist those in need, with piles of ruined furniture and belongings accumulating along the streets. Retiree Jim Beeson is one of the many affected; he was forced to evacuate to a hotel during the hurricane and now finds himself clearing out a trailer at Gulf to Bay Mobile Home Park. This community, comprising older residents, has already experienced devastating effects from earlier storms in recent years, raising questions about their ability to recover yet again from such relentless natural disasters.
People living in the mobile home park express deep concern about the future and their ability to redevelop. Many do not have flood insurance, and the storm’s aftermath prompts anxiety and uncertainty about imminent power restoration. Beeson, also on the mobile home park’s HOA board, notes the emotional grit of the residents—those who have created lasting legacies within their homes and neighborhoods—yet acknowledges the need for realistic discussion about recovery efforts after three hurricanes in only four years. The resilience of this community shines through their concerns; while they may express worry, there’s an underlying determination to rebuild their lives and their homes amidst an uncertain landscape.
Nearby, Indian Mound Park residents share similar grief, recounting harrowing tales of loss and damage. For Frank Cruesi, Milton’s storm surge dislodged an 1,100-pound gun safe from his home, flinging it to a ditch outside his property. This safe, once believed to protect valuables, became yet another casualty of the storm. Cruesi’s determination to rebuild, despite the total loss of his home, illustrates a broader sentiment among the region’s residents, who seem to view leaving as an unthinkable option. Humor becomes a coping mechanism, as many residents wait for assessments of their damage, holding on to the belief that their homes and community are worth the struggle to restore.
Amidst the chaos, stories of resilience emerge. Laura and Adam Baer, who had remodeled their vacation home just before the storm, symbolize the perseverance of many in the area. Despite losing the walls of their beloved space, they maintain an optimistic outlook as they sift through the remnants of their life in Englewood. Adam returned just in time to witness their home’s transformation into a shell of its former self. Nevertheless, Laura embraced the unexpected treasures found amidst the wreckage—like her favorite swimsuit flapping in the wind—reminding them of their deep-rooted connection to the property. They, too, have committed to rebuilding, albeit with an awareness of the financial challenges that lie ahead.
The collective experiences of Manasota Key and Englewood residents underscore a community grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. As the area comes to terms with its new reality—discarded furniture, belongings scattered in odd places, and homes rendered uninhabitable—the resilience and unity among the people reflect a strong will to bounce back from tragedy. The stories of loss and recovery serve as a testament to the human spirit, where precious memories and the desire to reclaim a sense of normalcy drive the determination to reclaim their spaces despite the daunting challenges posed by climate change and increasingly intense weather events.
In conclusion, the devastation of Hurricane Milton illuminates the dangers faced by coastal communities and the resilience of the individuals within them. Even as the scars from the storm linger, residents embrace the spirit of rebuilding. With tales of survival, hope, and shared determination, the story of Manasota Key and Englewood reveals how deeply rooted connections to home and community can buoy the human spirit amid disasters. Through hardship, these communities demonstrate that even after severe loss, they strive to reclaim what was taken from them, restoring not only their residences but also the memories that define their lives.
