NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. — Talking about Hurricane Irma is unsettling for Don Armstrong.
The hurricane ripped off the roof to his home and destroyed most of his belongings, but he managed to salvage his great-grand mother’s china cabinet.
Armstrong was one of many who lost everything because of the hurricane. Storms like that can be life-changing for those who decide to stay and stick it out.
“It was probably one of the scariest things I’ve ever been in in my life,” he said.
Matters got even worse for Armstrong after the storm passed. The torrential rain brought floods that stranded him and his family for three days until rescuers came.
“I started feeling a little hopeless at that time because I didn’t see the water rescinding in any way, shape or form,” Armstrong said.
That’s why Louisiana officials are trying to warn people that even though the storm is gone, rain and flooding could get worse.
“We saw it after Katrina. The storm was well passed, and then the levees, the flooding came after,” Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser said.
One local Red Cross volunteer says Louisiana locals are worried the constant rain could lead to damaging floods.
“That’s what they’re mainly concerned about is the ground can’t take anymore. Once the water starts coming, there are things in it that we don’t want to mess with,” Sally Wilsey said.
Armstrong is prepared for the next major storm to come through Southwest Florida.
“I can tell you this, if it happens again, I won’t be here. It usually takes a couple of days to show its true colors.”
