In Florida’s Big Bend, small towns bear the brunt of Helene’s impact

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene striking Florida, James Pike found himself parked in a grocery store lot with his mobile home in tow. He was among many evacuees from the Eleanor Oaks trailer park in Yankeetown, awaiting updates on the devastation caused by the storm surge. The park was in shambles, submerged by water for the second time in a year, leaving behind bent trailers, muddied vehicles, and a strong stench of sewage. Inland towns like Inglis and Yankeetown in the Big Bend region of Florida, are often overlooked and ill-equipped to handle the aftermath of such disasters. Governor Ron DeSantis expressed shock at the extent of the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene, underscoring the challenges faced by residents like James Pike and Robert Thomas as they contemplate rebuilding their lives once again. The lack of federal assistance and flood insurance in these rural communities compounds the difficulties of recovering from recurring natural disasters. As the region grapples with the aftermath of the storm, the resilience and resourcefulness of its residents like Yankeetown’s deputy fire chief, Kelly Salter, are put to the test.