(NewsNation) — The double dose of damage caused by two major storms in less than two weeks has locals in Florida questioning their ability to rebuild. That includes efforts at a Bradenton Beach wildlife sanctuary, where several animals did not survive the hurricanes.
Floridians are still reeling from Hurricane Milton, which has killed at least 23 people across the state. Couple Gail and Ed Straight run the nonprofit Wildlife Inc. Education and Rehabilitation Center about 60 miles south of Tampa.
Ed Straight, who is on dialysis and was away during the storms, has worked tirelessly with volunteers to rescue and rehabilitate about 150,000 injured or orphaned animals over the years. Now, the rehab center faces a double disaster.
Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit the sanctuary hard. The first storm’s floodwaters surged into the Straights’ home within minutes. Although Gail Straight stayed put during Helene, she was forced to evacuate ahead of Milton.
As for the animals, most were evacuated before Hurricane Helene, including multiple 100-pound tortoises. Despite the owners’ efforts, they lost some animals to the storms.
“It got really scary pretty quick,” Gail Straight said. “It’s the fastest I’ve ever seen it. We’ve had hurricanes here before, but not like this one.”
Helene’s flooding destroyed thousands of dollars worth of food and equipment. Mold took over the sanctuary, and Gail was electrocuted while trying to move appliances when the floodwaters started to recede.
The couple also lost two cars. Now, they don’t know if or when they’ll be able to rebuild. After dedicating more than 30 years to rescuing animals for free, the ordeal could put Gail Straight into lifelong debt, she said.