Hope endures: Life's hard in Mexico Beach after Hurricane Michael. You can help by visiting

Chelsea Workman

About this project: Half a year after Hurricane Michael, the Tallahassee Democrat asked residents of towns throughout the Big Bend to share stories of their communities post-Michael and tell their experiences and hopes in first-hand reflections.

MEXICO BEACH, Fla. — I had the privilege of interviewing 18 small business owners in Mexico Beach about a month after Hurricane Michael came through.

I was standing among piles of debris, full of what used to be restaurants, real estate offices, a bank, a welcome center and more. Most of the places I visited were a total loss. Whether any part of the building survived or not, the damage to the framework was too great to repair and buildings that have been icons in this beautiful city for decades have been torn down. It was one of the hardest, most emotionally and physically exhausting weekends of my life, reliving every person’s storm experience over and over again.

Hurricane Michael obliterated Lookout Lounge on the outskirts of Mexico Beach. Six months later the land has been cleared, and the Lookout has reopened in Port St. Joe.

However, there was something that stood out in every single interview: There were many tears and many unknowns — but every single person had hope.

A hope that would be tested and tried over and over again as the realities set in of what life is now.

It’s been six months since Michael barreled through the Panhandle. Some places have long been back to normal, some places have made significant progress. But some places, like Mexico Beach, are still struggling daily to get the help they need.

News outlets have stopped reporting. The extra help has gone home. There’s still no grocery store or gas station. Life is really hard and they already feel forgotten. They’ve submitted files and applications to insurance agencies, the Small Business Administration and others that say they’ll help, only to be asked for more and more paperwork, stalling the process and making life even harder. They’re discouraged by the state of local, state and federal politics, getting in the way of recovery.

Hurricane Michael blasted Castaways Southern Cuisine into pieces on Oct. 10, 2018. Six months later, the property has been cleared but the restaurant’s future is uncertain.

►See more before and after pictures 6 month after Michael

They feel like their lives are being held hostage by the powers at be for political gain, who seem to be missing the fact that they desperately need help.

Some progress has been made. You can now eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, go shopping at some local boutiques and rent beach equipment, all without leaving Mexico Beach. Buildings that can be repaired have begun renovations. Buildings destroyed are already coming down to make way for new buildings. The community wants it to feel the same way that it did, because it was truly a charming place, but people understand things have to change. However, they are determined to fight to keep the quaint, charming feel they have always had.

I was standing in a coffee shop recently, talking about the six-month anniversary of the storm that changed everything for the Panhandle, and I had a number of people tell me they wished they could help but just didn’t want to be in the way.

There’s the problem.

So many people have the ability to do something. Anything. Instead, they chose to do nothing because they can’t fix everything or they feel like they aren’t going to be helpful enough. At the same time, many of these small businesses are trying their hardest to make enough sales to stay open for another week.

Mexico Beach is ready for people to come back. There’s still a lot of work that needs to be done and honestly, it still looks really devastated.

But one of the best ways to help in recovery is to go visit, even for a few hours and spend money and time there.

The beloved Driftwood Inn was totally destroyed by Hurricane Michael. A half a year later, owners are actively working on rebuilding.

Buying a cup of coffee at Caribbean Coffee and renting a kayak from Barefoot Kayak and Paddleboard Rentals is doing something. Eating lunch at Mango Marley’s and shopping at Two Gulls is doing something.

Visiting the welcome center to learn about what’s open and what’s happening and buying merchandise from the pop-up shop is doing something. Booking a charter or taking your family for an amazing day on the beach, just being there in the city will help this place feel more normal again. You can always do something.

We started the Never Forgotten Coast campaign to do something. The people we’ve met, the stories we’ve heard, the photostaken and the hope that shines through is all truly incredible. I hope you take the time to visit the site to read these stories and find out ways you can help. Buy a T-shirt, reach out to these business owners, share their stories. Help us never forget.

Chelsea Workman and her husband Alex along with some incredible friends, mentors, business professionals and creative professionals started a campaign called Never Forgotten Coast to tell the stories of those affected by Hurricane Michael and to help with small business recovery in Mexico Beach. Learn more about their project at neverforgottencoast.com.