Months after back-to-back hurricanes slammed Florida’s Gulf Coast, residents are still facing red tape, delays, and confusion as many wonder if and when things will return to normal. In Redington Beach, the path to recovery feels out of reach, especially for homeowners.
Jenn Greacen, who has lived in the area since the 1970s, described the situation as a state of limbo. ‘It’s just this vacant lot… ready but waiting to go through this complete permitting process,’ she said. For Greacen, the emotional impact of the destruction is significant, as the causeway she once rode her bike home on now lies in ruins. Her sister, for example, lost their home to Hurricane Helene, and Greacen is working to help others in similar situations through her group, Rescue Pinellas.
Insurance delays and a shortage of licensed contractors are also slowing down the recovery process, as noted by public adjuster Ron Snouffer. He explained that even properties damaged by trees falling on them are still not fully repaired nine months after the storm, leaving them vacant and unable to be inhabited.
Conflicting instructions from local governments are another factor contributing to the slow pace of recovery. Each township has its own code, and these codes are often changing, leaving residents uncertain about what they need to do to rebuild. This lack of clarity exacerbates the challenges faced by homeowners, making it difficult to move forward with their restoration plans.
Meanwhile, some businesses, like Hubbard’s Marina, have managed to bounce back quickly. Captain Dylan Hubbard explained that the key to recovery involves momentum and taking it one step at a, ‘The only way to handle it? Momentum. One foot in front of the other.’ Despite the devastation caused by the second storm, Milton, the team at Hubbard’s Marina was able to reopen shortly after and continue their operations, allowing them to support the community’s recovery efforts.
As a member of the Pinellas County Tourism Development Council, Hubbard emphasized the importance of tourism for the region’s recovery. ‘We need the economic recovery to help boost the residential recovery,’ he said. ‘Help people get back to work, make money, and recover personally as well.’ The area is now opening up, with most hotels back in operation, and tourism is being positioned as the economic engine for the region.
With a new hurricane season underway, residents are left in a delicate balance, dealing with the lingering effects of past storms and the looming threat of future ones. Despite the challenges, there is a sense of hope, with some businesses and communities already showing signs of renewal and a determination to rebuild and recover.