Residents in Saint James City need housing help after Hurricane Ian

Reporter: Tiffany Rizzo Writer: Paul Dolan
Published: Updated:

For some people in Saint James City, lanais and bars are being used as a place to lie down at night in the wake of Hurricane Ian.

The people of Saint James City have made it clear they need more help after the storm.

Tom Simonton is just one example of somebody sleeping on the lanai of their mobile home.

“Nobody wants to live like this, there’s no doubt, but you do what you got to do,” Simonton said.

Tents in Saint James City where residents are sleeping. CREDIT: WINK News

Simonton explained he has nowhere to go, and while his walls and floor have suffered damage, he’s got a fridge, microwave, toilet, and sink, so he’s grateful, all things considered.

“I feel very fortunate to have what I have here, and it’s not the best conditions in the world, but hey, it’s getting better every day,” Simonton said.

Nevertheless, Simonton plans to stay put and fix his mobile home up.

The inside of Simonton’s home after Hurricane Ian. CREDIT: WINK News

But Bobbie Jo Gordon doesn’t have that luxury.

Gordon spends her nights on a cot inside the Froggy’s Bar, where she works.

“It’s cause I don’t know what else to do. There’s really nothing out here to rent, and the properties I am seeing to rent, it seems like they are being unreasonable,” Gordon said.

And Gordon fears the people on the island have been forgotten.

“We just don’t have the help we need to be able to survive,” Gordon said.

“Please send volunteers and send whatever you can, materials, supplies, whatever donate a camper or whatever we will get someone in it; we have plenty of people that need a place to stay,” Scott Fowler, with the United Cajun Navy, said.

They are hoping FEMA will be able to send more help their way in Saint James City.

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