Photos: Extensive Damage to Cedar Key After Hurricane Idalia

Julio Rosas | September 01, 2023 5:30 PM

CEDAR KEY, Fla. — The small island town was hit hard by Hurricane Idalia this week, coming onshore as a low Category 4. The most devastating aspect of the storm was the high storm surge along with the powerful winds.

As I previously reported here, Amiee Firestien, whose family has owned Faraway Inn for almost two years, was still picking through the rubble of the cottages to see what could be saved. Her most popular cottages were beyond saving, due to their closeness to the ocean. One of the rentals was no longer standing. The patio where guests would sit to watch the sun set had been reduced to a concrete slab.

It was still too early to determine what the timeline would be for the Faraway Inn to be back up and running. Firestien hopes it could be before their busy season in the springtime.

Julio Rosas/Townhall

Beyond the damage, residents and business owners were hard at work, clearing away debris and providing support for each other. Free coffee was being offered outside a coffeehouse. A restaurant located right on the water was offering free grilled chicken sandwiches to anyone who wanted a bite to eat.