The Daily Standard
World News
In this combination of photos, homes sit along a canal on Oct. 11, 2018, top, in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, and on May 3, 2019, in Mexico Beach, Fla. (AP Photos)
Crews with bulldozers and dump trucks have removed tons of debris from the Florida Panhandle since Hurricane Michael slammed ashore in October, wrecking miles of homes and businesses, yet signs of the storm's fury remain everywhere as hurricane season approaches.
Recovery is coming along in other places that have been hit by hurricanes, including South Carolina, which was slammed by Matthew in 2016 and Florence in 2018. In south Florida, where Hurricane Andrew caused devastation in 1992, few physical signs of damage remain.
But on the Panhandle in tiny Mexico Beach, empty concrete slabs line streets where surfside homes used to be. Most of the cars, trucks and homes that were thrown into canals have been removed, but some remain.
The scene isn't much different in Panama City, which thousands of residents left after Michael and still haven't returned. Blue roof tarps are everywhere, as are campers where people live in front of gutted homes. For some, tents provide the only shelter.
Michael roared on to land as a Category 5 hurricane with winds of 160 mph (257 kph) on Oct. 10, and many residents are praying there's not a repeat this year.
"I've already lost everything once. We can't do it again," Janelle Crosby said.
In this combination of photos, homes line a street on Oct. 12, 2018, top, following devastation from Hurricane Michael in Mexico Beach, Fla., and on May 3, 2019. (AP Photos)
In this combination of photos, a man sits in his car during the landfall of Hurricane Michael on Oct. 10, 2018, top, in Panama City, Fla., and the same location on May 2, 2019. (AP Photos)
This combination of photos shows homes in Mexico Beach, Fla., on Oct. 12, 2018, top, in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, and the same location on May 3, 2019. (AP Photos)
In this combination of photos, a damaged home is shown on Oct. 10, 2019, top, in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in Panama City, Fla., and the same location on May 1, 2019. (AP Photos)
This combination of photos shows empty lots in Mexico Beach, Fla., on Oct. 12, 2018, top, after devastation from Hurricane Michael and the same location on May 3, 2019. (AP Photos)
This combination of photos shows empty lots in Mexico Beach, Fla., on Oct. 12, 2018, top, covered in debris after devastation from Hurricane Michael and the same location on May 3, 2019. (AP Photos)
This combination of photos shows a room in a damaged hotel on Oct. 16, 2018, top, in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in Panama City, Fla., and the same location on May 1, 2019. (AP Photos)
This combination of photos shows the coastline of Mexico Beach, Fla., on Oct. 12, 2019, top, in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael and the same location on May 3, 2019. (AP Photos)
This combination of photos shows the Florida City, Fla., water tower on Aug. 25, 1992, top, in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew and the same location after the water tower had been replaced and moved on May 23, 2019. (AP Photo)
This combination of photos shows downtown Nichols, S.C, on Oct. 11, 2016, top, after Hurricane Matthew in 2016, and the same location on May 13, 2019. (AP Photos)
This combination of photos shows a sign on Sept. 21, 2018, top, in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, commemorating the rebuilding of the town of Nichols, S.C., and the same location on May 13, 2019. (AP Photos)
