A look at Englewood, nearby areas affected by Hurricane Yang.

ENGLEWOOD, Florida. A continuous drive through Grove City, about two miles south of Englewood on the western edge of Charlotte County, shows the months of recovery from Hurricane Ian. Roofers knock on houses west of Placida Road. Trees uprooted from the ground over four months ago.

FOX 4 certified meteorologist Katie Walls confirms, based on data from the National Weather Service, that wind gusts peaked at 110 mph on September 28, 2022 as Hurricane Yan passed through southwest Florida.

Dozens of heavily damaged mobile homes east of Placida Road, the city’s main stretch, show the difficult road ahead for many of the city’s roughly 2,000 residents.

In Englewood, the juxtaposition of recovery is stark. Tarpaulins and coverings on rooftops and siding throughout the city as people can stroll along historic Dearborn Street, full of restaurants and galleries, and see visitors and shoppers return. This Tuesday afternoon and evening, hundreds, perhaps thousands, sat on the sands of Englewood Beach, north of Stump Pass State Park, for another beautiful sunset in southwest Florida.

Rick Kingston is at the center of it all. Let’s just say his store is a bit off the beaten track, although it’s located on busy South McCall Road.

“First reaction, their jaws dropped!” Rick exclaimed when I asked him about the reaction when people walk into the Pop Culture Antique Museum. From 1975 televisions to the original “brick” mobile phones and endless stuffed animals, figurines, car models, toys, 45 records in three different storages, it’s a real sensory overload.

“This is how we create memories,” Kingston said. “We make memories!”

Kingston also knows Englewood well, having lived in the city since 1988. He notes that the region has changed a lot.

“The rent was (about) $400,” Kingston said, as rents in this part of Florida often exceed $2,000 a month. “It’s a different economy and the people who have been affected are the people who have lost everything.”

We asked about some of the other destruction in this part of Charlotte County, from Englewood to Grove City.

“*They still have issues with seniors, seniors, mobile home parks,” Kingston said. “You might bring tears to my eyes because they are on a limited budget. They don’t have money.”

Charlotte County Commissioner Bill Truex showed up on FOX 4 the day after Hurricane Ian hit to offer our viewers more information about how horrific the damage was in his county, which spans Englewood, Grove City, Rotunda, Placida. and many other parts of the region. Truex sent this email to FOX 4 about how residents can get help:

“The challenges our residents are facing are significant as these areas were hit hard by Hurricane Yan. There is indeed frustration and some confusion in the community when it comes to housing assistance. Those with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact my office. We will do our best to help those in need during this difficult time.”

Commission office number: (941) 743 – 1300, with “Option 3” for a direct line to the Truex Commissioner’s office.