ELLENTON – More than a dozen mobile homes in an Ellenton neighborhood were left damaged in Sunday’s strong storms.
“Thank god it’s not us, and thank god nobody that I know of got injured,” said Colony Cove resident, Joe Kotowicz.
An intense thunderstorm that rolled through the 55+ community, Colony Cove left a total of 31 homes damaged Sunday afternoon.
“Even though it was a thunderstorm for most of us, for this area it was obviously some kind of extreme weather event happened with that many homes damaged in that small of a space, things can change really fast so it’s important to stay vigilant, watch the news, watch the weather,” said Manatee County Commissioner, James Satcher.
Officials say the damage to the homes on Lakeshore and Sunset drives were minor to moderate
“A small awning to entire roofs were lifted off, a lot of car ports , because they’re aluminum , many of those were lifted off, the soffit, so anywhere what we would call very minor damage to what we saw last night, and today we have a team out doing more thorough assessment,” said Deputy Director of Public Safety & Emergency Management in Manatee County, Steve Litschauer.
Although Red Cross officials were on scene providing shelter to those affected, many of the residents stayed with neighbors.
“The situation is that many here do not have insurance because they cannot afford insurance, because we are classified as low income, exceptionally low is where it starts, so we are here to help,” said President of the Colony Cove H.O.A board, Darlene Kornacker.
Officials advise residents, especially those in mobile or manufactured homes, to prepare an evacuation plan for severe weather threats, such as designating a place in a home to take cover in.
“Inside a bathtub, inside a closet, but with no notice, in a low spot, inside a tub, or a mattress over them, the best protected they could be,” said Litschauer.
Officials also advise you be prepared and know your evacuation zone.