Local News

It reads like something from a horror novel: The old hotel was dark, as there was no power. It was smothering inside while temperatures outside in the 90s with high humidity. And it smelled like a sewer. The elevator shaft resembled a science esperiment gone awry. And mold was growing up shelves from the floor. This was a dangerous place.

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If you suffered damage when Hurricane Hermine swept by on Sept. 1 and are wondering why FEMA has not shown up to stroke a check it is not going to happen.

FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, doers not do things that way any longer. Since 2002 there has been a federal law setting in place a process for obtaining federal aid.

The two most affected areas impacted by Hurricane Hermine in Levy County are Cedar Key and Yankeetown. The residents and businesses in this community need volunteers who are able to offer their “muscle.”  Heavy lifting and the physical labor associated with removing substantial debris seem to be the most problematic in their towns.
Anyone wishing to assist in Cedar Key is asked to go to the Cedar Key Fire Station located at the intersection of Dock Street and First.

 Some things gleaned from the morning conference call:

"It could have been much worse. There was no loss of life," said Levy County Commission Chair John Meeks of Bronson.

That sums it up as emergency management and county agencies set about helping residents recover from the effects of Hurricane Hermine. 

• The storm surge did not reach 11 feet, but it was measured at 8.5feet above mean sea level. Cedar Key is still experiencing flooding problems and entry is only being allowed to residents and recovery workers.