By Dave Scheiber
USF doctoral student Libby Royer will never forget the devastation to the beachfront homes of Pinellas County she witnessed following hurricanes Helene and Milton in the fall of 2024. But that memory is accompanied by another powerful image that lingers: A community coalescing to lend a helping hand to those left with no place to return.
鈥淎fter Helene, we were here the day after it passed; it was just so impressive that even though roads were closed, homes were destroyed and there were piles of sand in people鈥檚 houses, I really saw a community coming together,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hether it was cleaning up someone鈥檚 house or helping people grab their belongings -- I think it was just a really amazing thing to see.鈥�