Small business owners neighboring a popular creek in Osceola County have been out of work since Hurricane Irma, while these businesses are struggling they hope to bounce back soon.

  • Small business owners experience flooding, power outages
  • Flooding is cause of lack of customers, owners say

What is usually a serene and picturesque site is now something quite different in the aftermath of Irma.

“Walking in right now you would have no idea what this actually looked like. It is so different from what it was before,” said John Jacobs, the owner of the Docks At Shingle Creek. “It is almost surreal for us … It is almost surreal.”

The water from Docks At Shingle Creek is 6 to 8 feet higher than it normally is. Dave Malott, a kayak instructor and tour guide, showed News 13 around.

“This is a floating dock and this is why this is up so high. Normally it's way below this railing on the end,” Malott explained.

Jacobs said that due to the flooding, they cannot be open and they are not getting any revenue.

“I am not unlike any other small business owner that has been flooded or had their electricity taken out,” Jacobs said. “We are all trying to do our best to keep our second family — our staff — employed.”

For those neighboring the Docks At Shingle Creek they are having to deal with a number of issues; like floodwaters reaching their ankles or above, cars submerged in water, and also having a hard time coming in and out of their homes.

“I don't think anybody that has lived here from what I’ve talked to has ever seen it this high,” Malott said.

The staff says they just cannot wait to welcome their neighbors back and be able to re-open for business.

“We are hopeful that we can get back to some normalcy in the coming weeks and months, but we know it’s going to be a long time,” Jacobs added.

For those who would like to help the Docks At Shingle Creek by volunteering their time or making any donations can check out the Facebook page called Friends of Shingle Creek.