The Fantasy Island neighborhood in St. James City looks deceptively calm after two powerful storms ravaged the area in quick succession.
Streets have little debris piled up in front of homes, but that’s because residents had already torn apart their houses after Hurricane Helene struck just weeks ago.
Then came Hurricane Milton.
“We came back the next day, and the waterline was almost to the windows,” said Michael Vater, a resident of St. James City. “Water got into the house, covered all the outlets, knocked over the fridge, ruined the appliances, the flooring, the sheetrock. We’ve had to rip everything out.”
For Vater and his neighbors, the devastation is all too familiar. In just two weeks, they’ve been forced to gut their homes twice as floodwaters continue to wreak havoc. Vater has been living out of his car at night and is unable to return inside.
“It’s impossible,” said Henry Brinkmann, another resident. “This place is beautiful, but we’re almost out of options. People are running out of money, and I don’t know what FEMA is going to do to help.”
Inside their homes, there’s little left to salvage. Furniture, appliances, and belongings have been destroyed by water. And as if battling the storms wasn’t enough, some residents say looters have taken advantage of the situation.
“They’ve stolen a golf cart, and people who don’t belong here have been coming through, casing the place,” Vater said.
Yet, despite the overwhelming challenges, residents refuse to give up.
“I’m an Army veteran, so I deal with it the best I can,” Vater added. “It’s a huge inconvenience, and it’s expensive to fix everything. But we’re here. We’re healthy. Our neighbors are alive, and that’s what matters. We’re all going to build back and come back stronger than before.”
Brinkmann shares a similar sentiment, despite the hardships. “It’s an adventure, you know? I still love it here.”
As the community dries out and rebuilds yet again, they’re holding on to the hope that the worst is finally behind them.