CRYSTAL RIVER, FL (352today.com) – First it was Hurricane Idalia and just six weeks later tornadoes in a one, two punch of storms that tried to keep residents and businesses down in Crystal River. They were not having it in the coastal community.

City manager Doug Baber, Mayor Joe Meek and city council members talked of the community’s resolve at the dedication of a new gateway sign on Highway 19 on Thursday, Dec. 21.

The littlest hands had the biggest job at the dedication. Councilman Robert Hall’s grandson Decker Reed Brown who is just two years old used the requisite big scissors to officially cut the ribbon on the new sign.

Crystal River leaders said the sign itself was ripped from its footing in the storms and had to make a comeback just like so many in the area have had to do. Many have had to rebuild, repair and recover more than once this year.

Residents attempt to get around after Hurricane Idalia flooded streets at Northeast Fifth Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Crystal River on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Residents walk through water after storm surge from Hurricane Idalia flooded streets at Northeast Fifth Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Crystal River on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Ashli Shuman, left, and Tiffanie Powell document the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia at Northeast Fifth Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Crystal River on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office used Northeast Fifth Street for a helicopter landing zone after Hurricane Idalia flooded the downtown business district in Crystal River on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Several roads are closed in Crystal River including this intersection at Three Sisters Springs Trail due to debris and downed power lines blocking the roadways. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
An EF-2 tornado cut a path of destruction through Crystal River, FL on Thursday, October 12, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
More of the destruction on Pinwheel Drive. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Don Markham shovels up debris at the Crystal River Kayak and Dive Shop. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Homes were destroyed as a tornado cut a path of destruction through Pinwheel Drive in Crystal River on Thursday, October 12. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today

They say it’s to welcome travelers and visitors to the popular attractions in the Nature Coast community. Crystal River is known as the ‘home of the manatee’ and just like the welcoming warm spring waters that attract the gentle giants in the colder months, city leaders say they want to welcome back tourists to Crystal River.

Baber told 352today about the spirit that drives the Citrus County community to overcome adversity and how the dedication of the sign plays into that.

“The sign is what we are showing as we are starting to do more and more. We are ready to bring back this community better than it was,” said Baber. “We had a tough six months with a hurricane then a tornado that crushed our town and our residents. The goal is just to improve the downtown area and make it grow. We want to draw attention to it and our Main Street district. So, we have a great partnership with the Main Street director and our Main Street board and it’s just really going well for us right now.”

The new gateway sign prominently welcomes visitors at 860 NE Highway 19 right next to the cross-town trail.

City manager Doug Baber along with Mayor Joe Meek and city council members gather to dedicate the new gateway sign welcoming tourists to town.