FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — One year after Hurricane Milton swept through the region, the quiet retirement community of Spanish Lakes in St. Lucie County is still on the road to recovery from one of the storm’s deadliest tornadoes.
The community became ground zero for an EF-2 tornado, which produced triple-digit wind speeds, killing six people and damaging or destroying more than a hundred homes. The EF-2 was one of only two produced by Hurricane Milton.
Today, signs of recovery are visible. Many homes feature new metal roofs, and fresh paint marks houses that have been recently repaired. However, remnants of the devastation remain, with empty dirt lots marking the locations of homes deemed damaged beyond repair.
Despite the destruction, some residents who stayed in the neighborhood say they have carried the memory of that day with them.
Jeanna McKamey, who moved into the neighborhood less than a year before the tornado struck, considered herself fortunate even with her roof torn apart.
“We still had a home; these other people don’t have homes. When you get in places where you feel bad for yourself, you stop and give gratitude because you actually still have something,” she said.
Others, like resident Virginia Tierney, who had less physical damage to her home, say the memory is still emotionally raw.
See also: One year since Hurricane Milton’s wrath left a path of destruction
“I did have ptsd for a while. I was really scared if I heard anything like a loud noise or something, or if the wind came up. I’ve prayed about it, and things get better.” Tierney said about her recurring trauma from the disaster.
Damage from the tornado is estimated to be in the millions of dollars. The community continues to rebuild, though reminders of the storm’s fury, such as debris still hanging from trees, persist.
“We came to Florida for a purpose, and we really felt like we were supposed to be here. Our neighbors became family, community, and it could happen anywhere. We’re still here because we’re supposed to be. You don’t pack up every time something bad happens,” said McKamey.
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