St. Augustine neighbors, local businesses navigate next steps following Hurricane Ian

Cleanup efforts are in full force for St. Augustine, the oldest city in America.

Martha Hird has lived in her Davis Shores home for almost 45 years.

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“I did a lot of praying because we don’t know what’s gonna happen,” Hird said.

She and her neighbors prepared their homes the very best they could.

Hird said her home will be okay, but flooding had a large impact on her neighbors.

Photos: Ian storm damage captured by Jacksonville-area viewers

“The one behind you got two to three feet,” Hird said. “And I’m sure the other one over there got at least three or four inches.”

She said her family lost three vehicles during Hurricane Irma.

“I felt real sorry for South Florida, knowing it would be better up here,” Hird said. “Flooding is always an issue because it is a flood zone.”

Read: Hurricane Ian: Storm makes landfall in Georgetown, South Carolina as a Category 1

Throughout the week, Action News Jax checked in with local businesses to find out how they were preparing for Hurricane Ian – and also after the flooding became a reality across the city.

Reggie Maggs is the co-owner of Meehan’s Irish Pub and Seafood House.

He said he’s grateful water didn’t get inside his building.

Read: Young boy from Jacksonville dead after balcony fall in Panama City Beach

“Over the years, we’ve seen Matthew and Irma come true and just boarded up to get ready and hunkered down and stayed safe,” Maggs said. “That’s the best thing we can do and clean up after.”

He said not everyone was so lucky.

“Tomorrow morning, we’ll definitely be back up and running for us thankfully,” Maggs said. “Then a few of our neighbors – we’ll go and give them a hand.”

Read: Two kids cover their own version of the hurricane

He pointed to Mary’s Harbor View Cafe just doors down.

The owner of Mary’s told Action News Jax this is the third time her restaurant has flooded, and her home flooded yesterday as well.

She remembers Hurricane Matthew and Hurricane Irma and hoped that this time around would end much differently.

Read: St. Augustine neighbors leaving area, others staying for Hurricane Ian amid evacuation orders

Carmelo’s Marketplace was able to keep doors open on Friday.

“Thankfully, we’re able to get back on track and be a convenience and help for those that might need it,” said store associate Mike Lyons.

He said the Pizzeria is set to open back up Saturday.

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Action News Jax spoke with Sheriff Robert A. Hardwick of St. Johns County Friday morning to learn more about what’s next.

“Assessing St. Johns County, getting to the places we couldn’t get to over the last two days and making those adjustments to where we can provide emergency services,” Hardwick said.

The St. Augustine Planning and Building Department is conducting door-to-door assessments to catalog property damage to homes and businesses as a necessary first step in securing state and federal disaster relief funds in the wake of Hurricane Ian.

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Here are five first steps shared by the City of St. Augustine to property owners on how to take action as soon as possible.

1. Call your insurance provider immediately regarding homeowners and flood policies and auto policies if vehicles were damaged.
2. Visit the FEMA Website (https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4673) for general information on services and assistance or call FEMA at 800.621.3362 (711 or Video Relay Service. If you use TTY, call 800.462.7585).
3. Determine what kind of assistance you may need at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/get-assistance/find-assistance.
4. Learn about insurance and finance services and post-storm fraud warnings from the Florida Dept. of Financial Services, Division of Consumer Services by calling 877.693.5236 or visiting https://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/Consumers/.
5. Learn how to watch for and protect yourself from price-gouging by visiting the Florida Attorney General’s website (http://bit.ly/2dZRQTL).

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