CEDAR KEY, FL (352today.com) – Cedar Key, a quaint Gulf Coast town known as the “Clam Capital of Florida,” is picking up the pieces after Hurricane Debby swept through on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024.
While the storm brought floodwaters that filled businesses and homes with up to two feet of water, the community is focused on recovery and rebuilding.
For some, last year’s hit by Hurricane Idalia served as a valuable lesson.
“We’ve got about two feet of water inside the rooms,” says Aimee Firestine, owner of the waterfront Faraway Inn, as she points to the waterline on the wall of one of the inn’s units. Despite the damage, she’s optimistic. “When we redid these rooms, we ensured there was nothing in the walls that would mold. So, we’re prepared.”
Restaurants along Dock Street are already being repaired, hoping to bring back the foodie scene.
After Hurricane Idalia hit last August, the clam capital’s business community rallied and rebuilt in time to host the annual seafood festival less than two months after the storm wiped out the tourism district.
Locals like Sammy Canon and Michael Osborne have strengthened their disaster response strategies over the years. “We’ve had a lot of practice over the last 10 years,” said Osborne.
Even the homes that recently underwent renovations were not spared. Wade Gore and Frank Silva inspect a rental property that suffered water damage less than a year after being completely redone.
“It’s tough, but we’ve learned to take it in stride,” says Gore.
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While Hurricane Debby brought a lot of damage to Cedar Key, it helped one couple find their happily-ever-after.
Hannah Healey, owner of the Prickly Palm Cafe, is sporting a rock that she didn’t find in a debris pile.
“He proposed to me this morning,” she said, showing off her engagement ring.
She says that she and her partner, Beau Hoffmann, fell in love last year during Hurricane Idalia after dating for a month. “We rebuilt this whole place through Idalia,” she said. “We really bonded over that.”
Hoffmann says that’s when he really knew that he loved her and started planning for their future. “I had just gotten the ring done on Thursday before the storm came,” he said. “I was planning on waiting until we go scalloping.” And then Hurricane Debby showed up.
“The ring was ready,” shared Hoffmann. “I said, ‘You know, this is the time to do it.’ It’s the second hurricane and I know I want to marry her.”
Hoffmann popped the question Tuesday morning while they were cleaning up the mess left by the category 1 hurricane proving that even muddy princesses like Healey get their happy endings.