Trouble in Paradise
It’s been a tough few days to be a resident in Florida. We've been watching the devastation unfold before our eyes in person, on TV and the internet, and it's widespread. First, I want to stress that Evan and I are OK, our families are OK, and our pups were oblivious to everything except the lack of air conditioning and the scary winds. Our power came back on at 6 a.m., and the house is finally cooling off. I am so thankful to all the family, friends, and former guests who reached out to check on us, so I wanted to post an update on how things are going with Funshine Properties. Please keep in mind that we don’t know a lot right now, but here’s where we stand as of the morning of September 28th.
Funshine Pointe Capri
Tropical Storm Debby (later upgraded to a hurricane) sent a waterspout over Treasure Island at around 6:30 p.m. on August 5th, ripping off the corner of our building's roof. Our neighbors across the street were kind enough to capture a video of it for us a few minutes after it happened. The increasing winds overnight did the rest, tearing the TPO off the top of the roof and allowing water inside. Our guests at the time messaged me at about 11:30 p.m., reporting loud banging and water coming through the ceiling. They remained so calm and helpful throughout the entire situation.
Video taken by our neighbors of the roof damage.
By the next morning, the damage was extensive, but repairs had already begun. Thanks to our quick-thinking, well-connected HOA president, we had a tarp on the roof by the end of Monday, August 6th. Unfortunately, most of the damage had already been done. Three units had completely lost their ceilings, leaving behind a mess of wet insulation and drywall. Thankfully, no one was hurt! The only reason we didn’t lose our ceiling is that Evan had replaced the nails with drywall screws during our last mini-renovation. While that helped, it didn’t keep our unit from being soaked. Over the next few weeks, almost all the drywall had to be removed. With the constant rain in August and late September, water continued to enter our condo, prolonging the damage. Tarps are not roofs!
Here is a walkthrough of the damage: https://photos.app.goo.gl/eqhmP7HC6hhq5LXo9
The roof was finally completed in the first week of September. Then, work halted for two weeks while they tested for asbestos. The good news: we don’t have any! Our rebuild was scheduled to start this past Wednesday, September 25th—almost two months after the damage—but Hurricane Helene arrived, and plans changed.
I have some updates on what’s happening now. Every unit on the first floor had at least 4–5 feet of water. We retained most of our pool furniture, but we don’t know the status of the pool, other than it being full of seawater and who knows what else. Our unit should be OK, but I’m unsure when the rebuild will begin now or when power will be restored.
Funshine Sunset Beach
Everything I know about our condo at Harbor House is from Facebook at this point. There’s at least two feet of sand on every roadway. The water rushed across the dunes at about 7:30 p.m., completely taking out the beach access we use. All of the condos on the first floor are a total loss, with at least 4–5 feet of water inside. I believe this will affect the electricity to our unit as well, but we just don’t know yet.
Video credit from an anonymous poster on Sunset Beach TI Facebook Group
Photo Credit Ina Sinclair as seen on the Sunset TI Facebook Group.
Click here to see a video of the entrance to Sunset Beach shot this morning.
https://fb.watch/uTSoXZ5zUM/
We are heartbroken for the people who lost their homes, memories, and everything they owned. We are the lucky ones. Funshine will be back. We don’t know when, but we’ll be ready to be the backdrop for your family’s memories as soon as we’re able to open again. Please keep the residents and business owners of our beautiful paradise in your thoughts and prayers as we begin the rebuilding process. We appreciate your kindness and empathy during this time.
Looking forward to hosting you again soon,
Nancy & Evan
Funshine Properties
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