Floridians will not soon forget two weeks in September and October of 2024, when two powerful hurricanes cut through the state.

First, Hurricane Helene delivered a surge of destruction to the Gulf coast.

Then, Hurricane Milton caused widespread damage over the Bay area, Central Florida and beyond.

Both storms claimed lives, obliterated buildings, flooded neighborhoods and left millions powerless. But, as we’ve seen in the wake of every storm to hit Florida before them, neighbors and strangers united to persevere.

The difficult path to recovery continues in the hardest-hit areas, but Floridians always prove resilient.

'A war zone. A flooded war zone'

As with many hurricanes, relentless rain from Milton caused the most damage. More than a foot fell on Tampa, and pumps at a nearby pond in Forest Hills failed. 

One pump's backup generator failed to turn on. Two other pumps didn't have backups at all.

Within hours, stormwater and sewage inundated a neighborhood that was not even in a flood zone.

For some, rebuilding has not even begun

The arduous task of rebuilding a hurricane-ravaged home cannot get started until all of the required permits are in order.

And for many Flordians, the permitting process quickly becomes a huge headache.

One snowbird couple owns two homes in two different beach towns. They say one city has approved their plans, but the other can't even say how long that will take.

Taking on a heavy lift to rise above

Hurricane Milton helped one water-weary couple make a major, and expensive, decision. But, that was just the latest storm to flood their New Smyrna Beach home. 

The damaging trend began in 2022 with Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, and the Wishmeyers have had enough.

They called in a third-generation home mover to lift their home four feet in hopes they won't get washed out again.

Danger spins up far from landfall

Hours before the Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida's west coast, a historic tornado outbreak struck the state's east coast — the most in a single day to ever hit the state.

A total of 46 confirmed tornadoes touched down. Some were classified as EF-2s and 3s, with significant clusters in South Florida leading to at least six deaths in the Spanish Lakes 55+ community in Port. St. Lucie.

In Stuart, a tornado peeled off a woman's roof, sent tree limbs flying through the windows and tossed cars around like toys. She huddled in fear with her adult children, waiting for the storm to pass.

Rediscovering joy after tragedy

Making — and eating — fudge is supposed to be fun. But after a hurricane hits, dealing with the impacts on a family business proves depressing.

More than $200,000 in damages and spoiled sweets knocked the Amos family down.

But, months after Hurricane Milton, they're back doing what they love at the Fudge Factory in Bradenton Beach.

Working hard for a temporary fix

The countdown to hurricane season is particularly nerve-racking for a homeowner who's still waiting for her insurance company to approve her roof repair claim.

Six months after Helene and Milton, Tanya Morales still has to climb onto her roof a few times a week to clear off leaves and other tree debris.

While hoping for a permanent solution before another storm strikes, she says her laborious routine keeps the problem from getting worse.

Finding the strength to return home

When Hurricane Helene caused two trees to crash through her roof and flooded her St. Petersburg home, Amy Brooks packed what belongings she had left and got out of town.

After six weeks of prioritizing her mental health, the 34-year-old was ready to begin navigating the rebuild.

Nearly six month later, she's still living in limbo.

Redefining a lifelong dream

As the bridge tender on the Treasure Island Causeway, Dave Ditto is doing exactly what he wants to do in retirement. 

He and his wife, Cindy, moved into their dream home — where they planned to live out their golden years.

But after more than four feet of storm swept through, the Dittos decided to move to higher ground.