CEDAR KEY, Fla. – The small coastal town of Cedar Key is no stranger to powerful storms, but business owners and residents were on edge Wednesday as Hurricane Helene approaches.
It’s the third time in just over a year that a hurricane has threatened to leave its mark on the community.
Michael and Carrie Holley, owners of Cedar Pizza & Subs, have spent days preparing for the storm, doing everything they can to protect their livelihood.
Their restaurant, elevated from the ground, still bears the marks from Hurricane Idalia, which brought flooding that reached over three feet.
“We’ve done everything we can do,” said Carrie Holley, who, alongside her husband, has been packing up and stripping their business bare, taking down wood panels from the walls and loading their trucks with as much as they can carry.
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But the couple fears that no amount of preparation will be enough this time. With Helene expected to bring an even higher storm surge than Idalia, the Holley’s, like many in town, are deeply concerned about what the next few days will bring.
“It’s a lot,” said Michael Holley. “I’ve been in Florida my whole life, and rarely am I nervous about a hurricane. I’m nervous this time.”
The anxiety is palpable across Cedar Key, a community that prides itself on resilience but has been battered by storms.
Helene would be the third major storm to hit the area, following Hurricane Idalia and Tropical Storm Debby, both of which caused significant damage to homes and businesses.
Rescue Teams and Mandatory Evacuations
With Helene’s landfall imminent, rescue teams from as far as Virginia have already positioned themselves throughout Florida’s west coast, ready to assist with what could be widespread flooding and damage.
Even inland areas, like Zephyrhills, have seen significant preparation, with sandbags being filled and homes bracing for potential flooding.
Cedar Key, however, stands particularly vulnerable, and the state has issued mandatory evacuation orders for the area. While many communities have seen residents debate whether to leave, Cedar Key residents appear to be taking the threat seriously this time.
Fires Add to Concerns
Cedar Key is also grappling with another disaster that could be exacerbated by the hurricane.
A recent fire destroyed several businesses in the city’s downtown area, leaving behind debris that could be swept into the town if the storm surge reaches the predicted levels.
Drone footage from the scene shows the charred remains of buildings, and officials are worried that the debris could create additional hazards during the storm.
For the Holley’s, the fear is not just about losing their business, but about the future of Cedar Key itself. After enduring two major storms in quick succession, many in the community wonder how much more they can take.
“That’s scary, that’s terrifying,” said Carrey Holley. “There won’t be anything left if it gets to that.”
Despite the preparations and evacuations, the coming days will determine the extent of Helene’s impact on Cedar Key. As the storm inches closer, the town holds its breath, hoping that once the skies clear, there will be enough left to rebuild — once again.
As Helene draws closer, the community of Cedar Key braces not only for the storm’s impact but for the debris left behind by a recent fire.
With storm surge expected to push the wreckage into town, the potential damage could be far greater than anticipated. Mandatory evacuations are in place, and local officials urge residents to take the threat seriously, as most have already begun to leave ahead of the storm.
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