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'Once a day I break down and cry': Big Bend residents still recovering week after Hurricane Helene

300 homes destroyed or uninhabitable in Taylor County
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STEINHATCHEE, Fla. — A week after Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm in Florida's Big Bend region, residents are still picking up the pieces.

WPTV Joel Lopez and photojournalist Caleb Holder were in Taylor County to cover the storm and speak to residents before and after the hurricane.

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Lopez talked to resident Todd Mitchell on Thursday to get an update on how recovery has been these past few days.

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Mitchell said his mother's house along the Steinhatchee River was 14 feet underwater from the storm surge and will have to be demolished.

He said power is back on in some areas, but the road to recovery will be long.

"I've run into people just about every day that normally are not affected by storm surge during these hurricanes," Steinhatchee resident Todd Mitchell said. "They say we've lost everything. I don't know, probably once a day I break down and cry, just heart hurting for people."

Taylor County Emergency Management said Hurricane Helene caused more than $50 million in damages with some 300 homes destroyed or uninhabitable.

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2024 STORM NAMES

Alberto

Beryl

Chris

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Gordon

Helene

Isaac

Joyce

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Milton

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Oscar

Patty

Rafael

Sara

Tony

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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.