It was a great evening for more than 100 seniors who got to return to their apartment in Winter Haven after being displaced after Hurricane Irma.

  • Storm tore siding off of building
  • Some residents shuttled to different shelters on buses
  • City inspectors deemed building safe on Sept. 22

The hurricane tore the siding off of Winter Haven Manor, causing all of the high-rise's residents to evacuate during the storm.

Some went to live with friends, while others were transported by buses from shelter to shelter.

Residents Bjorn and Deborah Gade said they were transported to four different shelters in four days.

““It was ridiculous," Gade said. "They didn’t know what to do with us, that’s how bad it was."

He said he ate so many bananas it made him sick, literally. He recalled catching a virus and being sent to the hospital, three days after the storm.

Gade was released Sept. 17 and then sent back to the Red Cross shelter at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Winter Haven.

“They have been absolutely wonderful,” Gade said. “Taking care of us. I’m just amazed at the number of Red Cross workers from all over the country who came to help.”

“It’s horrible when you have your life just snatched from you," said Deborah. "But then you find there are good people out here."

The Gades were some of the lucky ones, who had an air mattress to sleep on. They said they passed the time by reading and talking to the other 17 people there from Winter Haven Manor.

“We’ve really found out who our true friends are. the ones who help us," Deborah said. "We’ve held each other while we cry. I’m missing my puppy dog right now because she can’t come to the shelter with us."

Around 3:30 p.m. Friday, more than 11 days after the storm, they got the news they were waiting on. City building inspectors deemed the Winter Haven Manor safe to live in again.

The couple returned home soon after.

“God is so merciful. We’re home. You don’t know how glad I am to be home. And I get to get my doggie tomorrow,” Deborah said.