Cedar Key business owners optimistic after Hurricane Debby’s landfall

CEDAR KEY, Fla. (WCJB) – Hurricane Debby may have passed, but her effects still linger, especially for business owners along the coast.

Hannah Healey, owner of The Prickly Palm, says about two feet of water entered her business after Debby made landfall.

“The business is as ready as it could’ve been to see that water, so we didn’t lose anything. Maybe a white curtain or two,” said Healey.

Healey says it took her 18 days to reopen after Idalia, but she’s hopeful this time she’ll start serving customers sooner.

“We know what to do, we’re moving through the actions,” she said. “I’m really hoping my fingers that we can be open by this weekend. I don’t know if that’s a crazy dream, but it’s my dream.”

RELATED: ‘We’re all still standing’: Residents, businesses clean up damages caused by Idalia

Meanwhile at the Firefly Resort Cottages, owner Ian Maki is restoring his business after Debby’s visit.

“After recovering from losing almost all the contents in all seven cottages last year, we were looking at a similar style of storm,” said Maki.

He’s learned from last year’s experience, moving everything out of the lower cottages, which he believes received between 18 to 20 inches of flooding.

“We are a coastal community, so we are affected hugely by tides which range about four feet during the course of the day,” said Maki. “So it can make a great deal if the storm comes in on a low tide or if it comes in on a higher tide.”

Maki and his husband didn’t evacuate to stay close to their property and work on repairs immediately.

At this time, both businesses are closed and will update guests on social media.

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