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In the Eye of the Storm: Stories of Survival and Hope from the Florida Panhandle

Jennifer N. Fenwick

4.69 · Rating details · 13 ratings · 6 reviews

October 10, 2018, changed us forever. It was hard to imagine coming back from this. But at heart, the people of the Florida Panhandle are strong. They are the heroes in this story. The ones who inspire hope and wield inexhaustible strength. This is their story. Told in their own words. In their poetry. In the images they captured.

Hurricane Michael brought so many changes October 10, 2018, changed us forever. It was hard to imagine coming back from this. But at heart, the people of the Florida Panhandle are strong. They are the heroes in this story. The ones who inspire hope and wield inexhaustible strength. This is their story. Told in their own words. In their poetry. In the images they captured.

Hurricane Michael brought so many changes to the Panhandle of Florida. The most obvious changes, to the landscape and to the buildings, is unmistakable. Following the storm, the area looked like a warzone.

One thing that has not changed is the resilience and faith of the people in the region. Watching the countless volunteers, the residents reaching out in their own hour of need to help another, witnessing random acts of kindness daily, has been inspiring and life-affirming.

In the Eye of the Storm: Stories of Survival and Hope from the Florida Panhandle is a collection of stories from people who rode out the storm, were first on the scene in the aftermath, who have weathered the weeks and months since Michael slammed into the area, and who have come from far and wide to assist. They are daily reminders of the strength of the human spirit and the power of hope so needed in the aftermath.

Countless people rode out the category 4 (almost category 5) storm and swear they will never do it again. Volunteers pouring into the state in the days following the destruction repeatedly said they have never seen anything like it. City and county officials promise rebuilding has begun and that the area will be back stronger than ever.

It's the residents though, the ones who woke the following morning to a world inexplicably altered, that are at the heart of this project. The survivors. The broken. The devastated. It's their voices that tell the story best. Their beauty and resilience is inspiring and so worthy of recognition. This is for them.

This book is possible only through the generosity of the individuals willing to share their stories, their pain, and their grief with me. They are true warriors, able to put into words everything we all felt in those first days, and all we continue to feel as our new reality settled upon us. ...more

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Kindle Edition, 217 pages

Published January 23rd 2019

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Mar 01, 2019 Kristi rated it it was amazing

It was my honest pleasure to be included in this book of stories of survival and hope from the Florida Panhandle. It is my hope that all who read this beautiful book share in our lives and are inspired.

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Feb 20, 2019 Donna Bell rated it it was amazing

Peace

Thank you, Jennifer, for taking the time to record the catastrophic events of October 10, 2018. I live in the same region, but to the west of you, out of Michael’s reach. I did survive hurricane Ivan in 2004 though, the eye wall passed 12 miles to the west of here, and the result was catastrophic, so I can relate.

We’re survivors. God let us live through this, so we can encourage others. Your poem, “The Valley Of Death”, made me lift my hands in praise. There is more than one context this po ...more

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Feb 09, 2019 Jan R rated it it was amazing

Still more to be said

We have a friend with a RV park on the panhandle. We were able to help her and this book reminds me so much of what she went though. Y y for sharing your stories. If the sight of Michael's destruction is not seen personally then people just can't grasp the destruction of it. Very well written,ty. ...more

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Oct 04, 2019 Judi rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: history

It's almost 2 years since Hurricane Michael hit the Florida panhandle and I'm sure there's still plenty to clean up. I live in the area hit by the Loma Prieta earthquake (1989) and the last "hole" caused by that quake in our downtown area was just developed this past year - 29 years later! Yet, as we celebrate the 30 year anniversary of the quake later this month I can still relate to the roller coaster of emotions displayed so viscerally in this text.

Filled with short essays, poetry, and photog ...more

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Dec 16, 2019 mary bell rated it it was amazing

Excellent read

For those not impacted by Hurricane Michael, we only know what we saw and heard from the media. This book, full of first hand accounts and heartfelt poetry provides a gut wrenching insight into those terrifying hours during the storm as well as the heartfelt spirit of those very survivors in the aftermath of the storm.

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Feb 07, 2019 Pat Mills rated it it was amazing

I survived

Hurricane Michael was frightening and devastating. And the aftermath is unbelievable. The rest of the world has forgotten us but it will be years before we recover. Thanks for the stories and the pictures.

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