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Estero shelter closes its doors

By Kyle Jordan

ESTERO, Fla. - Hundreds of flood victims used the Estero Community Center as a shelter for the last 49 days. Five families spent the final night at the Red Cross shelter. Then, they spent this morning contemplating their future. The shelter closes today, but these families can't return to their old homes in Bonita Springs.

"We've got an old trailer and I can't live in my old trailer," says Jaime Garcia. His home at the Manna Christian RV Park is not liveable.

The Red Cross did help find places for families like Garcia's, but he says the new home comes at a much greater price.

"The rent we're going to pay is $900," he tell us. "We used to pay $370 to $400. That's a big jump."

The gymanasium that served as a giant bedroom for more than four hundred people now sits empty. The clean-up process will not take long. The Estero Community Center should be fully operational after the weekend. The return to a normal life for the families leaving today will not be as easy.

Sunday, Oct 12 at 4:51 AM debbie wrote ...

yes thats right pay taxes i paid taxes too u know what only God can judge who are u to judge them they are human too hope ya dont have to go tru all they went tru hope to God all of ya talking about these people dont have tru past for they went too.

Sunday, Oct 12 at 4:48 AM debbie wrote ...

why ya crying so much live ur live not them they dint go to ur house to take ur money right so dont cry stop living somebody's live and may u own bussiness thank you

Saturday, Oct 11 at 11:13 AM DEBBIE DEJESUS wrote ...

IM SO HAPPY THE ALL THIS PEOPLES FIND THEY HOUSE GOD BLESS ALL THIS FAMILY THE I MY SELF GET TO KNOW EACH OF THEM.

Friday, Oct 10 at 5:38 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Welcome to the real world. Its what all of us paying tax citizens pay to be here. They were flood victims for what 2 weeks? Then they couldn't go home because these people violatated laws. They built illegal (permanant) additions without consent or permits. They were not allowed to return to their Illegal structures so red cross wants all of us taxpayers to pay for their free stay at the center now! Let the truth be heard!!

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