( NewsNation ) — The double dose of damage caused by two major storms in less than two weeks has locals in Florida questioning their ability to rebuild. That includes efforts at a Bradenton Beach wildlife sanctuary, where several animals did not survive the hurricanes.
Floridians are still reeling from Hurricane Milton , which has killed at least 23 people across the state. Couple Gail and Ed Straight run the nonprofit Wildlife Inc. Education and Rehabilitation Center about 60 miles south of Tampa.
Ed Straight, who is on dialysis and was away during the storms, has worked tirelessly with volunteers to rescue and rehabilitate about 150,000 injured or orphaned animals over the years. Now, the rehab center faces a double disaster.
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Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit the sanctuary hard. The first storm’s floodwaters surged into the Straights’ home within minutes. Although Gail Straight stayed put during Helene, she was forced to evacuate ahead of Milton.