STEINHATCHEE, FLORIDA: Florida resident Daniel Dickert has been navigating the challenges of Hurricane Idalia, a Category 3 hurricane that made landfall on Wednesday, August 30.
The storm struck various small towns along Florida's Big Bend, and eventually led to surging waters impacting Charleston, South Carolina.
As he encountered the floodwaters, Dickert made the decision to drive his truck as far as he believed possible, before opting to exit the vehicle and continue his journey on foot by wading through the rising waters.
Hurricane Idalia brings destruction to beloved 'Old Florida' area
After Hurricane Idalia struck the Big Bend region, the Steinhatchee River still rippled around waterfront homes. This area, cherished for its "Old Florida" charm, hasn't faced such destruction in over a century.
"I’ve never seen the water so high," said Dickert, 54, as reported by Tampa Bay Times.
In the dim light, with choppy waters splashing his thighs, Daniel Dickert moved through a yard to catch a glimpse of his house across the river. Behind him, a black Bible floated from a nearby church.
He had driven his Ford pickup wearing shorts and sneakers, through 3 feet of water that morning to check on his house after enduring Hurricane Idalia at his mother's place in Cross City. Many residents in Steinhatchee had left due to the worsening forecast.
"I got smarter as I got older," he said.
Hurricane Idalia was 'worse' than 2016 Hurricane Hermine
Dickert claimed that Hurricane Hermine in 2016 flooded his shed with over a foot of water. In 1993, the Storm of the Century caused a flood of 5 feet. According to Dickert, this time it was worse.
He navigated through Hurricane Idalia's surge until he reached a vacant house on the far bank. On the opposite side, his pink home stood tall on 12-foot pilings, untouched by the surging waters. One of his boats was safely elevated on a lift above the choppy waters.
With his phone in hand, Dickert called his wife. He informed her that Steinhatchee was in disarray, with docks crumpled and sailboats stranded ashore.
However, he reassured her that their property remained unharmed. "It wasn’t bad as I thought," he said.
