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SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) — One year has passed since Hurricane Debby made its way along the Bay Area’s coast, unleashing heavy rains and flooding numerous neighborhoods.
Among the hardest hit was the Laurel Meadows neighborhood in Sarasota, where streets and homes faced significant flooding, leading to widespread destruction of personal belongings.
Jeffrey Schermerhorn and his wife continue their recovery journey from the devastating flood. “It’s been a process coming back in here. It’s been difficult,” he stated, highlighting the ongoing struggles of returning to normalcy.
Despite the hard work, they have managed to move back into their home, though many lingering issues remain. “We are still replacing furniture and waiting for some more doors to come in,” Schermerhorn added.
Sadly, only a small percentage of residents had flood insurance prior to Debby’s arrival, complicating recovery efforts for many. “The majority of us were self-funding things, or taking out loans; a lot of us took out SBA loans to handle expenses, but it’s been a very difficult process,” Schermerhorn explained.
Another resident, Tom Arbuckle, who previously used a military surplus vehicle to assist his neighbors during the flooding, has also felt the financial strain of recovery. “It’s been crazy; it’s been money coming out of our pockets basically,” Arbuckle expressed.
Both men hope not to face a repeat of last year’s devastating events. “I can’t do this again. I was supposed to retire last year,” Arbuckle lamented, reflecting on the significant changes the disaster imposed on his life.
Key Information
- Location: Laurel Meadows neighborhood, Sarasota, Fla.
- Event: Hurricane Debby (1 year ago)
- Impact: Severe flooding; homes and belongings destroyed
- Recovery Status: Residents still struggling to fully recover; ongoing issues with home repairs
- Insurance Situation: Few residents had flood insurance, complicating financial recovery
- Residents’ Experience: Financial strain, reliance on loans, and a desire to avoid future disasters
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Article original publish date: 2025-08-05 22:26:00
Article source: www.wfla.com
Read the full story at the original source: www.wfla.com
