top of page
Brandon Labonte

Surge Back Stronger


A Tribute to Florida’s Resilient Coastal Communities

Florida’s coastal towns have always carried a charm—vibrant, sun-soaked shores, tight-knit communities, and a spirit that echoes through every breeze that sweeps in from the gulf. But lately, the breeze has been anything but gentle. The wrath of hurricanes Helene and Milton has ripped through these beloved towns, leaving scars not just on the land but also on the hearts of those who call these shores home.


When the winds of Helene roared ashore, they howled like the cries of a thousand restless spirits, ripping roofs from houses, uprooting trees, and submerging entire neighborhoods. Helene wasn’t just a storm, it was a relentless force, a wave of destruction that showed no mercy. It tore bridges apart—both literal and figurative ones—disconnecting communities and challenging the very foundation on which these towns were built. The broken remnants of once-bustling boardwalks and the shattered glass of storefronts now lie in piles, stark reminders of what was lost.


Milton followed, bringing a fury all its own. The heavy rains turned streets into rivers, dragging pieces of homes and businesses into a turbulent flow that refused to relent. The relentless storms seemed to have no end, leaving many to wonder if there would be anything left to salvage.


I may not live in these coastal towns, but my ties to them run deep. My son serves as a firefighter in Crystal River, and we frequently visit the beautiful communities of Cedar Key and Steinhatchee. These places are more than vacation spots—they are homes to people we care about, places that hold memories and connections that transcend distance. Seeing the devastation from these hurricanes hits close to home, not just because of the damage to these beautiful coastal areas but because of the resilience shown by those working to rebuild.


Back in Alachua County, where Wicked Good Lawn Care is based, we have been busy with debris removal and cleanup, helping our own community rise after the storms. While we may not be physically present in the coastal communities every day, we stand with them in spirit and action, providing support wherever we can and watching in awe as they rebuild from the rubble.


The residents of Crystal River, Cedar Key, Steinhatchee, Keaton Beach, Suwannee and beyond are no strangers to hardship. These are folks who have weathered storms before, who know the weight of rebuilding from the ground up. Yet, no matter how many times the winds may try to tear them down, their resolve rises stronger. It’s a resilience born from a deep connection to the land they call home—a land that, despite its vulnerability, holds a beauty and charm worth fighting for.


When the waters receded and the skies finally cleared, these communities didn’t stand in the rubble with despair, they stood with determination. Neighbors checked on neighbors, hands reached out to rebuild, and strangers from nearby towns came together to provide support, food, and shelter. The bridges may have been broken, but the community served as the bridge that connected and united everyone, standing as a force stronger than any storm could be.


Businesses like Wicked Good Lawn Care are proud to be a part of this region, even if not directly in the coastal areas. While our work may focus on Alachua County, our hearts extend to our neighbors along the coast. Each lawn we tend and each piece of debris we clear away in Alachua is a promise that we are doing our part to help our communities recover and grow, one step at a time.


Wicked Good Lawn Care may be in the business of lawns, but people have always been our concern. When we say “Surge Back Stronger,” we mean it as a call to action and a promise—to rebuild, revive, and restore not just the land but the spirit of these communities, both near and far. It’s about planting hope, knowing that even as everything else seems to crumble, there’s a chance to grow something new, something even stronger.


We’ve seen the sadness, the grief that comes from losing a place you love. We know the weight of seeing your home, your memories, and your safe spaces washed away in a storm surge. But we also know the power of resilience, the strength that emerges when a community bands together, determined to rise again. From the volunteers who distribute supplies to the families rebuilding their homes, every action, every gesture of kindness is a step toward renewal.


The storm may have taken much, but it could not take your spirit. As we pick up the pieces, we build not just for today but for the future. We build for the generations who will walk these shores long after the storm’s memory fades, and we build knowing that every act of rebuilding is an act of defiance against the fury of the hurricanes that sought to tear us apart.


To every person working to bring life back to these shores—whether through hammer and nails, through planting gardens, or through simply being there for a neighbor in need—we see you, we honor you, and we stand with you. Together, we will rise, we will rebuild, and we will prove, as we have time and again, that the people of Florida’s coastal communities are a force of nature all their own.


We may face many storms, but it is our spirit that surges back stronger. Every drop of rain, every gust of wind is met with hands that build and hearts that heal. And with each new dawn, we are reminded that no matter how many times the storm comes, there will always be a community ready to stand together and rebuild, stronger than before.

17 views0 comments

Related Posts

See All

Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
Couldn’t Load Comments
It looks like there was a technical problem. Try reconnecting or refreshing the page.
bottom of page