First Helene, then Milton. Rubonia residents want a break after back-to-back hurricanes
Manatee County’s Rubonia community is praying for a reprieve after back-to-back storms wreaked havoc on the low-lying neighborhood along Terra Ceia Bay.
Less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene ushered in the worst flooding the historically Black community has ever seen, Hurricane Milton came through, ripping the roofs off of homes, downing trees and turning debris into dangerous projectiles.
“The wind was outrageous. You can tell by the downed trees, the poles and the people out of service,” said Webster Hayes, a Rubonia homeowner for over 50 years.
Jerry Putnam, a Rubonia resident for 20 years, said both storms were the worst he’s ever experienced. With a wrecked kitchen, damaged roof, no power and spotty cell service, he prepared to stay at a friend’s house.
“The flood got us the first time, and the second storm tore the roof off,” Hayes added, pointing to the plastic blue tarp secured to his roof with over a dozen sandbags. “It’s unlivable.”
Hayes’ wife is staying with a family member while he looks after the house.
Hurricane Milton shreds rooftops in Rubonia
For decades, Rubonia sounded the alarm about constant flooding. After pleading with county officials, community leaders were able to push through a project meant to provide sidewalks while improving drainage, but some residents aren’t convinced that it made a difference.
“It sure didn’t help any,” Hayes said when asked about the drainage improvements.
The Bradenton Herald previously reported on the $4 million project to install sidewalks and better drainage systems.
But Charles Miller, a lifelong Rubonia resident, believes the county’s changes are making a positive impact.
“It took a long time for them to do it, but when the flood came, it was just too much to handle at one time. Any storm drain wouldn’t have handled it,” said Miller, one of the Rubonia advocates who supported the drainage improvements.
Miller, 74, sat in his driveway Friday afternoon, taking a break after assessing extensive damage to his property. Milton took the corner of his home’s roof off and flooded two of his rental properties in the neighborhood.
“I hope we don’t have nothing like this come through here again soon,” said Miller. “Now, I’m going through the healing process.”
Speaking with the Bradenton Herald, another neighbor said he’s tired of dealing with the healing process. Dylen White has lived in Rubonia for about 18 months, but Milton and Helene are giving him second thoughts.
“It just sucks. It makes me want to move, honestly,” White said. “I got really lucky, but it’s really scary to see all the water come up here.”
White expressed sympathy for neighbors who lost virtually everything, pointing to streets lined with the ruined contents of homes. Across the way, a massive heap of rubbish contained the traces of a family’s life. Furniture, clothes, books, toys and mementos awaited transport to the dump, and the smell of food rotting in the sun lingered in the air.
But in the wake of two incredibly destructive storms, some of Rubonia’s residents are already focused on coming back stronger than ever.
“We’ll survive and keep going,” Miller said. “That’s the only thing you can do, you know.”
