SWFL still on the road to recovery after Hurricane Irma

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FORT MYERS, Fla. Southwest Florida residents are working to get back on their feet after Hurricane Irma caused major destruction.

Heavy rain and storms caused localized flooding in areas like Bonita Springs less than two weeks before Irma hit.

Virginia Guffey was barely recovering from knee-high water that invaded her home on Chapman Avenue when Irma completed the damage.

“The first time was bad enough, but now I don’t have anything left. No furniture, no clothes…nothing,” Guffey said.

Other Bonita Springs residents like Efrain Rojas are working to rebuild their homes, but worry more rainfall could spell trouble for their community.

“The last thing we want is rain, especially after we just got this road cleared. People are finally coming in just to clear out their homes,” Rojas said.

The city is preparing for added rainfall by improving water drainage through the Imperial River, according to Bonita Springs Mayor Peter Simmons.

But people from all over the nation have gathered in this desperate time of need to lend a helping hand.

A christian based organization called Samaritan’s Purse from North Carolina arrived Thursday in the Golden Gate Estates to help haul away debris.

“Our goal is to protect the people by setting up some temporary repairs,” team leader Lori Leibster Abou said.

The organization has volunteers from Hawaii, Washington State, Michigan, Arkansas and Texas, according to Leibster Abou.

WINK News reporter Olivia Mancino has more:

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