OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — It’s been over eight months since Hurricane Ian made its way through Florida. Yet, one local county continues to see the aftermath.
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In late September, Hurricane Ian dumped 19 inches of rain onto Osceola County.
Those going around neighborhoods in Kissimmee will notice it still looks like last hurricane season.
Even though it wasn’t necessarily winding that hit Osceola County hard, at least a dozen homes are tarped- with flood damage inside.
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Teresa Kountz said her whole life turned upside down after Hurricane Ian.
“It took my breath away, to be honest,” she said.
Kountz was one of 523 seniors staying in an independent living facility at Good Samaritan Village when floods overtook the area.
“If it wasn’t for my daughter -- I would be homeless or living somewhere where I don’t want to be,” Kountz said.
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For some, the situation is worse.
Osceola County said about 114 people receive long-term recovery help for unmet needs like repairing homes.
And for those still unable to return to their homes, FEMA is giving them its Transitional Housing Assistance; that help ends on June 29.
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The county said they are trying to get help for as many people as possible through the program - as fast as they can.
And as for everyone else, Bill Litton, Emergency Management Director Osceola County, said residents should now plan to stock on Hurricane supplies.
“Make a plan now but also use this weekend and next weekend for the sales tax holiday,” he said.
Florida’s Disaster Preparedness sales tax holidays will take place May 27 through June 9, and Aug. 26 through Sept. 8.
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