Before and After the Storm (a photo essay)

We look back at the devastation, and where we are today

By Mike Buhler and Jacob Wheeler
Sun editors

The Serbin Real Estate offices took a tremendous blow, when a tree settled on the north wing … and kept settling. The entire section was removed, foundation repaired, and then built anew from the ground up.

——————–

Many of you recognize the Forest Haven Road entrance to the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. How many of you are disoriented looking at the rubble after the storm swept down Alligator Hill and piled the trees up to 20 feet high?

——————–

In this iconic photo by Stephen Brotschul, a fearless lumberjack began to cut this quaint cottage from its quagmire of limbs. A year later it is much sunnier, and with new stain and paint, is even more striking on the Crystal River!

——————–

For a few days after the storm, only M-109 was passable — the route in and out of Glen Arbor. For a time, it only had one lane open, and even some of that required going off-road. Many power poles were broken, and wires hung on the ground. Tuesday night, in almost stealthy quiet, visiting power crews rebuilt the electrical service for six miles. Power still wasn’t restored until Friday, Day Five.

——————–

Riverfront Pizza took quite a hit (as did Crystal River Outfitters), The Cyclery, Oak Street, and all cars parked there). While the shade is gone, the view to the river is still spectacular!