In October, Hurricane Milton battered the Tampa Bay area, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Now, nearly six months later, some Zephyrhills residents continue to grapple with persistent flooding, lacking access to basic necessities like running water and electricity.

Don Ferguson, a resident of nearly 20 years, saw his entire home inundated during the storm. Even now, in March, the water lingers, though it has begun to recede slightly. Ferguson navigates to his front door by laying down wooden planks to avoid slipping in the mud. He recently spoke to WUSF, along with other residents.

“I’ve lost it all,” Ferguson lamented. “My life’s work, everything I own, is tied to this property.”

Multiple feet of water ravaged his home, destroying nearly all its contents. Outside, his beloved cars and motorcycles, including a newly restored 1964 Triumph TR4, remain inaccessible and likely beyond repair.

“The mental toll is the hardest part,” Ferguson admitted. “It’s a constant strain on my mind. I feel worthless, like nobody cares.”

Ferguson claims he has received no assistance from FEMA despite providing updates and photos of the flooding. “They don’t respond. They don’t do anything,” he said.

A Total Loss Next Door

Richard Beckwith, Ferguson’s neighbor of 11 years, fares even worse. His property remains completely surrounded by water, front and back.

“When I first saw it, I just stood here, looked at it, and wept. It’s all gone,” Beckwith told WUSF.

He hasn’t been able to enter his home for weeks due to flooded septic tanks contaminating the water, creating a safety hazard. The house itself is now lopsided, with the roof separating and screen rooms collapsing.

“The house is done for,” Beckwith stated bluntly.

He estimates losses exceeding half a million dollars, including his home and the inventory for his second-hand sales business. The flooding triggered a cascade of misfortune: back surgery from a car accident in November, followed by a cancer diagnosis in December.

“At 64, I thought I’d die in that house,” Beckwith said. “Now, I’m starting over from nothing.”

“Lake Fernandez” Emerges

Patrick Fernandez, residing on the block’s corner, escaped flooding inside his home but not on his property. “Welcome to Lake Fernandez,” he quipped while surveying the submerged land.

His plans to create a self-sufficient farm with chickens, aquaponics, and a fruit and vegetable garden were washed away. “I wish the drainage issue could be addressed,” Fernandez said.

Despite the setbacks, he strives to maintain a positive outlook. “Staying optimistic keeps me sane. I see it as God cleansing my property of bad energy.”

Seeking Solutions

None of the three men have flood insurance. State tankers briefly pumped out some water but left the job unfinished. They now look to Pasco County, the state, or any source for help.

Jason Mickel, head of the county’s public works department, says his hands are tied since the men live on private property. “It’s not the county’s responsibility to address flooding damage on private land,” he explained. Each subdivision has its own drainage system that homeowners must maintain.

Mickel suggests private pumping services, though he acknowledges the cost may be prohibitive. “I didn’t even look into it,” Ferguson said. “Who can afford that?”

The trio believes recent nearby developments have turned their street into a bowl, collecting water from higher elevations. However, Mickel attributes the flooding primarily to the unprecedented 2024 hurricane season, with October’s 20 inches of rain far exceeding historical records.

Looking ahead, Pasco County plans to improve drainage connectivity between public and private systems. A recent $585 million HUD grant will fund major stormwater projects in low-income areas, but this offers no immediate relief for Ferguson.

“They go home to a warm, dry bed each night. I don’t,” Ferguson said. “It’s all I think about—my property, the flooding.”

Currently, he and his dogs stay in a friend’s Florida room. He lost a cat shortly after the storm, likely due to stress. Ferguson hopes to park an RV in his yard until the flooding subsides, but the muddy ground prevents it for now.

The storm destroyed his workshop, shed, and countless tools, some still submerged in water-filled boxes. All three homes lack water and electricity.

“I’ve been using jugs of water in my kitchen and bathroom and showering at Planet Fitness,” Fernandez said.

His truck sat in floodwaters for nearly two months but was salvaged. However, the storm’s aftermath cost him his job after late arrivals due to distant hotel vouchers led to conflicts at work.

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(Image credit: Sky Lebron/WUSF)

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