The Twin City mobile home park in St. Petersburg, Florida, was devastated by Hurricane Milton, following the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Residents, including 61-year-old James William Lawson Jr. and 70-year-old Ninda Menegias, faced mold, sewage, and decay in their ruined trailers. Many trailers were deemed uninhabitable due to flooding, forcing residents to evacuate. Lakeshore Management, the company managing the park, faced accusations of deceiving tenants about flood risks and continuing to charge rental fees when tenants were unable to live in their homes.
Following Hurricane Milton, residents like Jesse Hancock and Ria Blaight, who had to salvage belongings damaged by the storm, faced the task of removing mold-infested materials and rebuilding their homes. Despite the devastation, many residents, including Menegias and Lawson, faced financial constraints and had nowhere else to go, making rebuilding their only option. Some hoped that FEMA would provide assistance to cover some of their expenses. Despite the hardships, the sense of community among residents remained strong, with Lawson expressing his love and concern for his fellow residents at the park.
The future of the Twin City mobile home park remains uncertain, with residents facing challenges of rebuilding and recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricanes Milton and Helene. The community has been left with damaged homes, financial struggles, and a sense of uncertainty about what lies ahead.
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