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'Everybody was praying': Big Bend residents begin cleanup after Hurricane Helene turns buildings into rubble

Restaurant owner Linda Wicker says she'll rebuild because 'community depends on us'
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STEINHATCHEE, Fla. — Towns and communities across Florida's Big Bend region began the long road to recovery on Friday, surveying the damage left in the wake of Category 4 Hurricane Helene.

WPTV reporter Joel Lopez has been in the coastal town of Steinhatchee where he spoke to people who are picking up the pieces of what's left in their town.

At the front entrance of Roy's Restaurant, there was nothing left but rubble Friday. The town was all but washed away from Helene.

Roy's Restaurant owner Linda Wicker tells WPTV reporter Joel Lopez that she plans to rebuild after her business was leveled by Hurricane Helene.
Roy's Restaurant owner Linda Wicker tells WPTV reporter Joel Lopez that she plans to rebuild after her business was leveled by Hurricane Helene.

The restaurant, located along the Steinhatchee River, was now a pile of debris.

Owner Linda Wicker and her staff were busy salvaging what was left.

"I just knew we had to get to work," Wicker said. "You don't have time to feel sorry for yourself. You have to get moving."

The latest hurricane came after they just repaired the restaurant from Hurricane Idalia last year.

"Do you think you're going to rebuild again?" Lopez asked.

"Oh yeah," Wicker said. "The community depends on us, and we depend on them."

Pam Keen told WPTV reporter Joel Lopez that she was preparing to help her neighbors cleanup after Hurricane Helene hit the region.
Pam Keen told WPTV reporter Joel Lopez that she was preparing to help her neighbors cleanup after Hurricane Helene hit the region.

This is the third hurricane to hit the town in just over a year.

Resident Pam Keen evacuated because of the storm surge.

She said her faith kept her house standing through the hurricane.

"Everybody was praying," Keen said.

Now, she's getting ready to help her neighbors.

Piece by piece, the community is now working together to rebuild.

Wicker said she's already contacted architects and engineers as she prepares to rebuild and is considering a food truck or a trailer while the building is reconstructed.

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2024 STORM NAMES

Alberto

Beryl

Chris

Debby

Ernesto

Francine

Gordon

Helene

Isaac

Joyce

Kirk

Leslie

Milton

Nadine

Oscar

Patty

Rafael

Sara

Tony

Valerie

William

TERMS TO KNOW

TROPICAL STORM WATCH: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the specified coastal area within 48 hours.

TROPICAL STORM WARNING: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected within the specified coastal area within 36 hours.

HURRICANE WATCH: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible somewhere within the specified coastal area. A hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

HURRICANE WARNING: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area. A hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.