March 12th 1993 an intense low pressure system formed in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana. The storm started moving east across the Gulf towards Florida, warnings were issued by weather centers but at midnight most coastal residents were already asleep. The storm hit the coast of Florida early in the morning of the 13th at high tide with strong winds a storm surge over 9', causing extensive flooding and damage from north of Cedar Key to Sarasota. The residents of Hernando Beach awoke to 2 to 8 feet of water in their homes and no time left to evacuate. Many had to make their way to their roof tops and were rescued by helicopter from their flooded homes. This video is made from cuts from an VHS tape made by a resident of Hernando Beach from the deck of their stilt home, and afterwards as they drove through the community in a rented vehicle. The aftermath left homes badly damaged, possessions ruined, vehicles ruined, boats damaged or missing, docks ruined and debris everywhere. Most residents were on foot with just the clothes on their backs. It was many months of repair/remodeling, and neighbor helping neighbor before the community of Hernando Beach recovered. Remember, this was
not a hurricane but a low pressure system that moved across Florida and up the east coast becoming an intense Nor'easter dumping tons of snow and rain and shutting down every major airport on the eastern seaboard at one time or another. As long as a year after the storm some coastal communities on the central Florida Gulf Coast were still rebuilding.
