One year after Hurricane Helene, the Englewood Point of Pines community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the devastating storm surge. Residents recall the chaos and fear as water swallowed their neighborhood.

"When you're in the moment, you feel just the need to move quickly and act and save your loved ones," said Englewood resident Dale Vogel.

Vogel and his family were stranded on their kitchen island, surrounded by water with electric currents.

"We were stranded on our kitchen island as the water on the floor had an electric current running through it," said Vogel.

Reflecting on the past year, Vogel shared the emotional toll of losing irreplaceable items.

"A year later, you look back and reflect, there are many things you can't replace," he said.

The community spent months sifting through debris, salvaging family photos and childhood letters.

"It's been a tough process to navigate. To be honest with you, just navigating the aftereffects of the hurricane itself is emotional," said Vogel. "It's a disheartening feeling. This is a very close neighborhood. The neighbors here are excellent. We've got Jimmy, who's 99 behind us."

Jimmy Smith, known for riding his tricycle, is a beloved figure in the neighborhood.

"Everybody was so happy to see Jim back on his trike," said Michelle Williams, who survived Hurricane Helene.

Williams took care of Jimmy's family and took him to the hospital hours before the hurricane's worst hit, ensuring he didn't need rescuing. However, she had to rescue herself.

"It was too deep. Nobody could get out," said Williams.

Now, Williams is moving Jimmy back into the neighborhood. While some residents find a path forward, others face a more challenging journey.

"The people who were heavily impacted by this, they'll never forget. They'll come back from it in one way, shape, or form, but we'll never forget," said Vogel.

Lemon Bay Drive stands as a reminder of the ongoing recovery across Southwest Florida, with communities in various stages of rebuilding.

WINK News looks back on the lasting impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Explore stories of recovery and resilience here.