October 10, 2018, changed us forever. It was hard to imagine coming back from this. But at heart, the people of the Florida Panhandle are strong. They are the heroes in this story. The ones who inspire hope and wield inexhaustible strength. This is their story. Told in their own words. In their poetry. In the images they captured. Hurricane Michael brought so many changes to the Panhandle of Florida. The most obvious changes, to the landscape and to the buildings, is unmistakable. Following the storm, the area looked like a warzone. One thing that has not changed is the resilience and faith of the people in the region. Watching the countless volunteers, the residents reaching out in their own hour of need to help another, witnessing random acts of kindness daily, has been inspiring and life-affirming. In the Eye of the Storm: Stories of Survival and Hope from the Florida Panhandle is a collection of stories from people who rode out the storm, were first on the scene in the aftermath, who have weathered the weeks and months since Michael slammed into the area, and who have come from far and wide to assist. They are daily reminders of the strength of the human spirit and the power of hope so needed in the aftermath. Countless people rode out the category 4 (almost category 5) storm and swear they will never do it again. Volunteers pouring into the state in the days following the destruction repeatedly said they have never seen anything like it. City and county officials promise rebuilding has begun and that the area will be back stronger than ever. It's the residents though, the ones who woke the following morning to a world inexplicably altered, that are at the heart of this project. The survivors. The broken. The devastated. It's their voices that tell the story best. Their beauty and resilience is inspiring and so worthy of recognition. This is for them. 5.0 out of 5 stars Peace February 20, 2019Format: Kindle EditionThank you, Jennifer, for taking the time to record the catastrophic events of October 10, 2018. I live in the same region, but to the west of you, out of Michael's reach. I did survive hurricane Ivan in 2004 though, the eye wall passed 12 miles to the west of here, and the result was catastrophic, so I can relate. We're survivors. God let us live through this, so we can encourage others. Your poem, "The Valley Of Death", made me lift my hands in praise. There is more than one context this poem can be taken in. I'm fighting a serious illness, I'm in the storm. But I will have peace again. To all of you in the storm ravaged region, you will too. 15 years after Ivan, the trees have grown back, everything is green again. Our homes are intact once more. Nobody left. This is home. The squirrels are thriving, we didn't see any for years. The scars are still here, but they fade each day. Life will return, better than you knew it before. You will have peace... 5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read Format: Paperback/ Verified PurchaseFebruary 12, 2019Wonderful book about personal experiences, poems and pictures from individuals during the storm. I ordered 3 books for family members who rode out the storm in the cove. #850strong 5.0 out of 5 stars A very good read. February 24, 2019Format: Paperback/ Verified PurchaseIt pulls at the heart strings to hear from other people that survived the storm and to hear their stories of strength and moving forward after such a major devastation in this area. Anybody that doesn't know or isn't struggling to come back from this storm really needs to read this. 0 out of 5 stars Still more to be said February 9, 2019Format: Kindle EditionWe have a friend with a RV park on the panhandle. We were able to help her and this book reminds me so much of what she went though. Y y for sharing your stories. If the sight of Michael's destruction is not seen personally then people just can't grasp the destruction of it. Very well written, ty. 5.0 out of 5 stars Panhandle Strong! February 14, 2019Format: PaperbackSo grateful to Jennifer for taking the time to write our story in such a beautiful, caring, and loving way. October 10, 2018, is a day the Florida Panhandle will never forget. The day, our lives and our cities were dramatically altered, irrevocably and forever. Compiling the stories, poetry, and images submitted for this project were raw and real. I realized going in, what a huge undertaking and responsibility this task was. I also realized that I could not tell every story; and there were thousands and thousands. What I hoped instead, was that the stories I was able to tell would resonate, and that in doing so, In the Eye of the Storm, would become a voice for the region. The contributors and I are humbled by the outpouring of support and the responses we've received thus far. For those who feel left out or forgotten, that was never our intention. We're part of the communities that survived that day and are living in the aftermath. Know that your stories, your pain is in