Following Hurricane Helene's onset in Southwest Florida Thursday evening, communities in Southern Collier County are still dealing with high levels of flooding in the streets, as well as businesses and homes. In Everglades City, many thoroughfares were flooded throughout the area.
"Last night, we ended up getting about between 4 and 5 feet of tidal surge, and it's not going away," said Howie Grimm, the Mayor of Everglades City.
The Mayor tells NBC2 News that a few businesses and homeowners have reported minor flooding at homes and businesses following the storm.
"We did the best we could. We battened down the hatches. I sealed the doors with the tape and that foam stuff plus sandbags," said Dusty Crum, the Owner of Wildman's Pizza, Pasta, and Pythons in Everglades City.
Crum's shop, which just opened a new dining area just last week, had about 1.5 feet of water inside the building overnight.
"We're going to power through this, Everglades City. This is how we do it. The community comes together. You know, we don't really get the outside help from Naples and stuff. We kind of get forgot about down here, but it's all the people that help each other," added Crum.
The Mayor of Everglades City advises all Southwest Florida residents to stay out of the area, and not travel on local roads until tidal flooding recedes.