A recent video captured the devastating impact of Hurricane Debby's storm surge on the Faraway Inn in Cedar Key, Florida. The inn had just reopened following damage from Hurricane Idalia nearly a year ago.
Hurricane Debby brought more than 6 feet of storm surge to Cedar Key, located approximately 40 miles southeast of where the storm made landfall on Monday morning. The video, taken around 7:30 am on Monday using the inn's surveillance camera, shows the surrounding area engulfed by water.
Aimee Firestine, the owner of the inn who resides in Chiefland, Florida, expressed her concerns about the situation. She mentioned that they are currently at home, preparing for what they will encounter upon their return.
Firestine described the situation as heartbreaking, especially considering that the building had just reopened this past Memorial Day after sustaining damage from Hurricane Idalia. She noted that the cottage on the right side of the inn is still undergoing repairs from the previous storm.
The video serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of hurricanes and the challenges faced by communities in their aftermath. The residents and business owners in Cedar Key are bracing themselves for the impact of Hurricane Debby and the long road to recovery that lies ahead.