OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — The impacts of Hurricane Ian are being felt across Florida, including in Okeechobee County.
Damage there is proving to be a difficult challenge for some residents more than a week after the storm.
An Okeechobee County spokesperson said that FEMA disaster teams are canvassing the county trying to get a look at the damage from Ian. While not on the scale of Florida's west coast, the recovery has been slow.
James Alberti is worried about the roof of his home in Okeechobee County.
"That roof is very unstable," he said.
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Alberti said the damage to his home occurred when Hurricane Ian's fierce outer bands snapped trees and pounded buildings across Florida.
"The only thing I'm concerned about is keeping this water out, so it doesn’t cause any more damage," Alberti said.
Now with a tarp over part of his roof, he's wondering if there is any help coming.
"Waiting to see it FEMA will help us out, seeing if the county is doing anything, anything on the state level from Florida," Alberti said.
According to FEMA's online map, they are offering assistance to individuals only in areas that were hit hardest.
Okeechobee County is asking property owners to report the damage on the county's website.
So far, the only assistance available is through the small business administration. But for Alberti and his wife, living on fixed benefits is not easy.
"With my financial situation, I wouldn't be able to pay a loan off," he said. "I wouldn't want to jeopardize losing what I own now."
An Okeechobee County spokesperson said they hope to have more information soon for those residents looking for assistance.
