Law enforcement from the Tampa Bay Area are returning home from helping out after Hurricane Irma in Collier County.

  • Deputies return home from Collier County storm recovery
  • About 50 Pasco deputies deployed to help with Irma recovery

About 50 Pasco County deputies returned home Wednesday after being deployed and stationed in Everglades City. 

“Patrolled around showing heavy presence and keeping people from looting, there was a 9 o’clock curfew down there,” said K9 Deputy, Ryan Lennox. “It was pretty devastating down there as far as flood damage. They said they had about 7 feet of water come across the whole island."

Mutual aide from all over Tampa Bay came in to help.

“What you really see is the mounds of now trash and debris that are lining the roadway, that’s their personal belongings,” said Corporal Arthur Madden. “Everything they owned, their life is now on the curb to be picked up and thrown away.”

Power was still off for many this past Wednesday, but when it finally came back on, another problem occurred. A house fire broke out, and the local fire department was also under water, so deputies went in to evacuate the residents.

“One of the concerns they had was the salt water that had gone into the buildings had corroded some of the electrical lines, and unfortunately that fear came true during the deployment,” said Corporal Andrew Denbo. 

Deputies were also there to help their fellow law enforcement.

“Half the deputies, their roofs were ripped off their homes, and yet they're still working 12 on 12 off since it happened,” said Lennox. “So to give these guys a little bit of a break so they can go home and try to get their family in order, it was a good feeling to be able to do that for them.”

The deputies were back to work in Pasco County Thursday, tired but feeling good they were able to help during this devastating time.