Rebuilding remains 2 years after Hurricane Irma swamps SWFL

Tuesday marks two years since Hurricane Irma swept into Southwest Florida leaving counties in devastation. Several areas remain in the rebuilding process, leaving some locals scarred from the storm. But, significant progress has been made and as one resilient woman told WINK News, “God reminds us that there’s a rainbow after every storm.”

Marco Island took a direct hit from Irma. The progress it has made shows disasters turn the ordinary into the invaluable. Among the people who survived the storm was Henry Hill, who was hunkered down on the island.

“What I used was the mailbox out in front of the house for how high the water came up,” Hill said. Then, Hill used his phone, calling us to turn his home into a lookout for thousands.

At the time, Hill was living across the beach in a ground floor condominium. His place did not have storm shutters. From the desperation brought by Irma, Hill said he knows the power of a picture.

“So that people have not only my words,” Hill said. “It showed them what the water was on the streets on Marco.”

When Irma hit, live streams and Hill’s Facebook feed gave evacuees a window into their homes. He told us he had around 55 friends; then, he saw a quick increase to 700.

“People picked it up all over the country including a bunch of my former students,” said Hill as he chuckles. “‘Mr. Hill, you’re on TV!'”

Now, two years later, hurricane preparation holds more weight than it once did.

“During the height of the hurricane, once the winds hit 40 mph, sustained,” Hill said, “if you have a heart attack, you’re on your own.”

Both Hill and his wife decide early about evacuating to make sure the invaluable people in your life stay safe.

“She said a category three is her limit – I would probably stay longer,” said Hill as he laughs. “But she might leave.”

“Be prepared at all times”