Recovery remains underway in the region while much of the Southeastern United States is dazed by the power of Hurricane Helene, which killed dozens and has left more than 100 missing in North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.
The hurricane came ashore in Perry County, Florida late Thursday night after pushing storm surge into communities along the Gulf Coast.
From Punta Gorda through Sarasota, homes and businesses were swamped and in some cases destroyed by the ruthless slosh.
Punta Gorda officials said the north end of the city had between 6 and 8 feet of storm surge, causing “significant damage” on Thursday evening and Friday morning.
“Hundreds of individuals and their pets were rescued throughout the night,” a news release stated.
Along Sarasota County barrier islands, 33 people were rescued while more than 30 also were pulled from homes in South Sarasota County and the city of Venice.
There is a chance of another storm system creeping into focus in the next week, with the National Weather Service giving it a 50% chance of becoming a storm, although it is too early to give a strong prediction of its strength and path.