Destruction, flooding, break ins. On Thursday September 26th, Hurricane Helene hit the state of Florida, causing some places a ruin of destruction– and others– nothing at all. In one neighborhood in Old Seminole Heights, Tampa, a community of people are fighting to repair the damage.  
 
“I live right off the Hillsborough River, I knew choosing to live off there would be a risk– given the amount of flooding that is in that area– but I was willing to take it. Around midnight my house started flooding. The flooding got to about a foot, and I was trapped. I had my cat in her carrier on the counter, and I sat on top of the table for about nine hours. I eventually escaped with only my cat and drove to a friend’s Airbnb for safety,” said Florida resident John Hershberger. 
 
While in the Wesley Chapel area the most Helene did was take out power for a day or threw a few sticks in the yard, the residents down in Seminole Heights suffered tremendously. In some areas, houses were destroyed by the debris of trees. In others, houses were absorbed into the flow of the flooded river.  
 
“When I first visited my house after the flooding, it was still flooded. Naturally, I had to wait until it went down to enter. It was such a sad moment just sitting there, staring at the place I called home– hoping, praying even– that it would just be okay so I could still provide a roof over not just my head, but my kids’,” said Hershberger. 
 
Most residents of Old Seminole Heights are either homeless, elderly, or people who have been comfortably living there with their families for some time. So, with this destruction, many had nowhere to go and were left in a panic. While spots were filling up for anywhere to stay, some people had to move into their cars. 
 
“I didn’t see my kids for a month or so after the flood. Luckily, me and their mother are divorced so they had somewhere safe to stay, but it was sad being away from them for so long. But I knew I had to get to work, so as soon as the water went away I began working on the house myself. I ripped up the floors, drywall, and bought 10 fans to dry the house. This normally is a process that most pay for, but I knew I just didn’t have that money when I could do it myself.” 
 
While Seminole Heights is a relatively safe area, it neighbors a dangerous area called Sulphur Springs– known for its dangerous activities such as robbery, assaults, gang activity, and even murder. In times like this with homes in such bad shape, residents of Seminoles Heights become victims of burglary. 
“I’ll never forget when I realized my house was broken into. The contractor had called me and asked why I’d thrown my belongings all around the house. I hadn’t been at the house, so I knew something was up. When I showed up, I realized my bedroom window was broken. He stole all my tools, my suitcases, my youngest daughter’s clothes and shoes, and more. It was devastating. Just when I had started getting things back together, something just had to come up. Turns out he broke into lots of my neighbors’ homes too,” said Hershberger. 
 
With the community in destruction, the residents all continue to help each other and keep a positive attitude to one another as they are all going through a similar situation. In an attempt to keep things natural, they all still attend to work, and some get help from others outside the community– fighting to get back to normal. 
 
“I think one of the most upsetting things about how people have reacted to this hurricane is the people who suffered no destruction. It’s just so tacky how they drive around the neighborhood to just watch us struggle. They treat it like a show, not providing any help– just watching. Or when they complain about losing power for a day. It’s just they need to realize; someone has it worse. I know I have it worse than most people, but I also know; someone has it worse than me.” 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Gallery • 5 Photos

Layla Hershberger

Mother nature. A home recently after the destruction of Helene is pictured, huge tree debris everywhere. Growing through the driveway the roots of the tree pull up the sidewalk, destroying it.” It looks like a scene out of a movie.” said junior Zander Green.