After Hurricane Idalia, a woman from Montana cleans up

Billings, Montana — After Hurricane Idalia devastated the island village of Cedar Key, Heather Greenwood has spent the past few days clearing up the debris, mud, and other items that were forced into the yard of the Cedar Key Bed & Breakfast.

“There are a lot of people that lost everything,” Greenwood said on Sunday. “It’s amazing how angry that sea can get.”

The bed and breakfast manager, Greenwood, claimed that it was fortunate that the establishment did not sustain as much damage as others nearby. She claimed that once the company could afford a sizable propane tank, they would be able to start providing lodging for those who came to the island to assist with the cleaning.

During the tropical storm, Greenwood and the proprietor of Cedar Key Bed & Breakfast traveled inland to Greenwood’s house.

“This is the first time I’ve actually been through (a hurricane) that created this much devastation close to home,” Greenwood said.

Greenwood has resided and worked on Cedar Key during the summers for the previous four years. She spends the colder months in Montana.

“You don’t even think about the water being that scary when you’re from somewhere like Montana,” she said.

Greenwood, who is from Eureka, claimed Cedar Key is quite comparable because of the inhabitants’ capacity for cooperation during difficult times.

“You know, being from Eureka, a little tiny town, with no stoplights, no restaurants, Cedar Key is a lot like that. Very close-knit, very hard-working community and they’re all going to be back up and running in no time,” she said. “So much of the island is already rebuilding.”