What One Year After Hurricane Michael Looks Like- 9 Themes We Now Find Normal
Hurricane Michael hit the Florida panhandle exactly one year ago today. Panama City, Fl was one of the areas heavily impacted. All of these photos below were taken on October 10. 2019, exactly one year after Hurricane Michael. Each photo represents a common theme that we find normal one year after a major natural disaster strikes.
For locals reading this- remember how far we’ve come. Remember the GOOD, not the bad. Our community came together and is stronger than ever. That alone is something worth praising. Focus on just how grateful we are for the simpler things in life. Remember, this time last year we weren’t able to take hot showers, have lights, cook meals… now we do. We went from protecting our gasoline tanks and not knowing if we will have jobs to reading blogs on your phone, in the AC, freshly showered and eating well… all in one year exactly. Remember, the Bahamas. They are currently going through what we went through but worse. Some believe we are “the forgotten coast” but think… when was the last headliner article you read about the Bahamas. That’s just how news works. Be grateful for what we have, even if it’s not media coverage. We have each other. That means a lot more now than what it did 366 days ago. Talk to someone. Your mental health is important.
For those out of town reading this- make sure you read everything and remember… this is only a small fraction of abnormal things going on that we now find normal. Learn from us. Remember to help those affected when natural disaster strikes. Share this so more can be educated.
This is what normal life is like one year after a category 5 hurricane.
1. School’s are still out of main buildings.
This photo is of Merritt Brown Middle School, one of the many Bay County school still being affected by Michael. The entire school meets in these portables, which are surround by fencing and secured gates. Rain or shine, hot or cold, students walk between classes outdoors. The cafeteria is still without a working kitchen so all meals come from the elementary school next door. This is the new “normal”.
2. Living in campers in the yard of a damaged home
Many locals are still calling their camper “home”. There are many reasons why, like waiting on insurance companies to come through with payments, the extreme price gouging in contracting jobs, low supply of affordable housing, and not enough contracting companies/workers to complete a rebuild.
A family of 5 continue to do life in a camper. This temporary home is located in the front yard of the children’s grandparents which gives a firm foundation for refuge, some storage space...and a larger shower when needed. Family helping family.
3. Waiting on FEMA
Locals are waiting on FEMA to do the demolition of their home. With all the natural disasters in the last year, who knows when it will be their turn.
4. Roofs still being installed one year after
Because of insurance companies and price gouging, some locals are finally getting a roof one year after the storm, and others wait with blue tarps. This picture was taken 10/10/19, Hurricane Michael hit 10/10/18.
5. Daily visual reminders of the impact of the storm
Damaged homes and buildings remain exactly as it did one year ago- totally destroyed. Although the community has come so far, we’re reminded daily of what we went through when seeing homes and buildings untouched,
6. Lack of recreational activities
This photo taken on 10/10/19 is of our Regency Movie Theatre being demolished. Notice the advertising for the movies in theatre to the right- The Nun which was released on September 7, 2018 and A Simple Favor which was released on September 14, 2018. Panama City’s bowling alley, and the one indoor recreational facility (Fusion Fitness Center) was closed along with the other Carmike movie theatre. Other than outdoor parks and one small movie theatre, there is a low supply of recreational activities without going to Panama City Beach. The mall was also closed with no word on when or even if it will reopen.
7. Most churches meeting in temporary locations
This is the inside of Hiland Park Baptist Church, which currently holds service in the fellowship hall. Many other churches, including Northstar Church and Lynn Haven United Methodist, are meeting at local schools on the weekends with no idea as to when they will be able to return to the main building.
8. A simple delivery like kitchen cabinets hold an entirely new meaning.
Pictured is kitchen cabinets which were delivered on 10/10/19 to a family who weren’t able to sleep in their home for 360 days, lived in a condo for 6 months and a travel trailer for the remaining 6 months, where the hot water was out for 10 weeks, A/C was out for 2 weeks, has had 3 inspections, are on their 7th public adjuster, and are waiting to be reimbursed by the insurance company. This is just one of the hundreds of stories like it.
9. Some insurance claims are finally being settled
I have seen an increase in insurance claims being partially settled and some even fully settled in the last couple weeks. My personal belief is the insurance companies didn’t want locals to be able to say “it was over a year” before receiving any settlement.
On 10/10/19, the Barbers are finally getting their home demo’d, as shown above. Here is what the owner has to share.
One year ago... we never could have imagined we would be standing inside the shell of what was once our safe haven... our beloved home of over 16 years.
If walls could talk... these would be uncontrollably sobbing. They would speak of the many memories with laughter, tears, smiles, firsts, and enough love to blow the roof off... instead Hurricane Michael took her walls and roof last October 10th... forever shaking the foundations of our home and of our lives.
Two weeks ago, our family was able to breathe deeply since that fateful day. We settled with our insurance company and were able to put a huge step forward when so many times our steps were frozen in uncertainty. Today, these walls are at peace as they are coming down. In a small, quiet, and very humbling way... I can almost hear our home thanking us.
For the memories... for the love... and for peacefully letting go.
We can feel peace for the first time in a full year.
The Barber Family, Springfield, FL
Hurricane Micheal Survivors
These are only 9 common themes local find normal now. This is only Panama City, FL, one of the many towns heavily hit by Hurricane Michael. This is only one natural disaster.
I wrote this blog in hopes of showing those outside of the panhandle a few things.
Our “normal” October 10, 2019 is no where near what normal was on October 9, 2018.
We are only one of the many. We’re not the only area impacted by hurricane Michael. In fact, Mexico Beach had the hardest hit and a year later, I still can’t gain the courage to drive over there.
This is only NINE common themes. Nine. This doesn’t even touch on the fact housing is sooo low, let alone affordable housing. The supply of housing is way down because of damage, and what is available has doubled in price. What used to cost $650 for a 1 bed 1 bath rental, now costs average $1,200. Businesses are finding it difficult to find employees because of how high cost of living is.
Also, some locals call us “the forgotten coast”. I’m not writing this article to “give coverage that’s not being given”, that’s. simply how news works. I’m writing this to help readers think of everyone. The Bahamas got hit harder than us and they don’t have road access to materials and resources out of town like we so fortunately do.
So here is partially what normal a year out looks like for us.