ABOUT THIS SERIES
The Panhandle was devastated in October by Hurricane Michael, a Category 5 storm that grew rapidly in the Gulf of Mexico and tore into the coast near Tyndall Air Force Base. That placed its fierce front right quadrant over Mexico Beach, a town of just 1,200 people, which had subsisted for decades on an economy built around retirement, sunsets and recreational fishing.
Anywhere, Fla.
Recovery will take years, and residents will face a decision of whether to rebuild or leave. There are lessons in the cleanup for all Floridians, who by the whims of the weather could find themselves in the same struggle next time.
The Tampa Bay Times is following the Wood family, owners of the Driftwood Inn in Mexico Beach, as they attempt to rebuild. Along the way, they will deal with shifting regulations, difficult financial decisions and frequent reminders of what they lost. We do not know where or when the story will end.
We hope you’ll reach out as you read along. What do you want to know? What do you think you would do? Who should decide where we can build, and who will bear the cost?
PART ONE: DREAM, INTERRUPTED
January 2019
The Woods flee Mexico Beach before Hurricane Michael and return to find the splintered remains of a motel they spent four decades perfecting. Amid the ruins, they begin to think about what comes next. CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY
PART TWO: IF THEY BUILD IT...
February 2019
Three months after Hurricane Michael, leaders in Mexico Beach worry about paying bills from the storm while money remains a top concern for the Woods. The family sets a meeting with a contractor to hopefully learn how much rebuilding will cost, and whether they can afford it. CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY
PART THREE: A PLACE TO REMEMBER
March 2019
Five months after Hurricane Michael, it’s demolition time for the Driftwood Inn. The moment brings the Wood family together amid uncertainty about whether they will build a new Driftwood or if a final sunset is goodbye. CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY
PART FOUR: IN-BETWEEN DAYS
May 2019
Life has slowed in Mexico Beach, still desolate seven months after Hurricane Michael. The Wood family feels ready to move on but is stuck in a lonely interlude. Meanwhile, the next hurricane season looms weeks away. CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY
PART FIVE: YEAR ONE
October 2019
One year since Hurricane Michael, the Driftwood Inn is not close to being rebuilt. But the Woods have clarity on their next steps. CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY
VIDEO: THE WOOD FAMILY RECALLS THE INN AND HURRICANE MICHAEL
VIDEO: THE WOODS TALK ABOUT REBUILDING
VIDEO: WITH DEMOLITION COMES DOUBT
VIDEO: THE DRIFWOOD INN, A PLACE TO REMEMBER
VIDEO: THE WOOD FAMILY DESCRIBES LIFE SEVEN MONTHS AFTER THE STORM
VIDEO: ONE YEAR LATER, MEXICO BEACH IS ‘DROWNING IN DEBT.’ CAN THE WOODS REBUILD?
VIDEO: MEXICO BEACH, DAY 365 SINCE HURRICANE MICHAEL
CONTACT US
Did you stay the Driftwood Inn? If you have a story or memories of your time there, we want to hear from you. Please email zsampson@tampabay.com or dclifford@tampabay.com.
HOW TO HELP
To learn more about how to donate to storm recovery in Mexico Beach, visit www.mexicobeachgov.com.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
After the storm
Ground zero: See the damage Hurricane Michael inflicted on Mexico Beach (Oct. 11, 2018)
‘We’re broken here.’ Mexico Beach reels in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael (Oct. 11, 2018)
Hurricane Michael: Mexico Beach locals banding together to survive (Oct. 13, 2018)
Recovery begins
Hurricane Michael destroyed their home. So they got married on the slab. (Dec. 4, 2018)
‘We can’t not do this:’ Mexico Beach lights a Christmas tree amid ruins (Dec. 24, 2018)
After the storm, ruins and rebuilding overshadow personal anguish (Jan. 4, 2019)
Ron DeSantis visits Mexico Beach: ‘Really, really devastating’ (Jan. 9, 2019)
Hurricane Michael recovery has a big problem: People aren’t donating. (Jan. 27, 2019)
Hurricane Michael retroactively upgraded to a Category 5 storm at landfall (April 19, 2019)
Hurricane Michael debris hasn’t been cleared. Why that really matters now. (June 6, 2019)
Eight months after Hurricane Michael, many fear a mental health crisis (June 13, 2019)
Hurricane Michael destroyed their homes. Then the insurance heartache began. (June 26, 2019)
Hurricane Michael left a Florida ‘ghost town.’ See the before/after pictures. (Oct. 10, 2019)