On the other end of Helene, I was talking to the realtor we use in Florida for our annual October trip (which will be November next year, giving it a try!). She said they HOPE to have guests back in units by the end of the year. While this is not the busiest time of year for them, although Christmas is a popular time, they are still hurting from the lack of tourism. Some restaurants are open, but anything with only one level is pretty much destroyed. She said of the 300+ condos that they manage, only about 5 UNITS had any damage, mostly from blown out windows. But the BUILDINGS, which they do not manage, are in bad shape. I think they are all going to require new elevators, which will take time to complete. She said the lobby of the place where we were going to stay had sand TO THE CEILING. No way an elevator system can take that much salt water and sand and be reparable.
They are also having to sift the sand on the beach (that was not washed away) to get debris like glass and wood out of it to make it safer for barefoot tourists. They have been warning people who are insisting on going to the beach to wear shoes at all times b/c all kinds of crap was washed back over the sand. Supposedly, the dolphins and pelicans have made their way back, so I guess that's a good sign.