Longwood’s Slow Recovery Continues Despite Debris Removal

LONGWOOD, Fla. – Whispering Winds neighborhood in Longwood was hit by an EF-2 tornado a month ago, which transformed peaceful streets into a scene of devastation.

Captured on various cameras, the severe storm with winds reaching 120mph wreaked havoc by causing trees to fall, roofs to be torn apart, and vehicles to be damaged.

Today, most of the debris like branches, roof remnants, and fallen trees have been cleared away. However, what lingers is a source of frustration for numerous locals: tarps, paperwork, and the tedious process of dealing with insurance matters and coordinating with repair professionals.

“We’re just trying to get back to normal,” said Emily Sless who lives in the Whispering Winds subdivision. Last month, Sless spoke with News 6’s Cat Silver, recalling how projectiles like 2x4s pierced the ground and damaged her home.

Today, she’s still navigating a complex web of quotes, contractors, and adjusters.

“We’re doing okay,” Sless told me. “We’re just dealing with insurance issues now and trying, little by little, to get irrigation back, get the trucks in place, get the contractors out here to do all the things.”

Sless’ house sustained major damage. A large hole in the roof opened directly above her husband’s closet. The pool cage collapsed. Two family vehicles were severely damaged – one totaled, the other just recently repaired.

“Our 19-year-old son just got his truck back a few days ago,” Sless said. “That’s helped him feel like himself again. But being down to one vehicle for weeks, that’s hard on you.”

The storm lasted less than two minutes, but the cleanup has dragged on.

Sless wasn’t home when the tornado struck. She was working at her school in Sanford, watching the storm’s progress with growing anxiety. But her husband and son were home when it hit.

“My son was sleeping, ignoring his dad’s calls at first, thinking he was being asked to do chores,” she said. “But when he heard ‘tornado,’ he ran across the house, just in time to see the pool collapse.”

And the emotional and financial recovery has proven far slower than the actual storm.

“Just the insurance. I think it’s getting the different quotes to kind of go back and forth with the insurance company of well, we’ll do this, but it needs really this,” Sless said. “So that process has been, I think, even amongst the neighbors, has been slow.”

While vehicle claims were resolved quickly, Sless says roof damage has become a major sticking point.

“No roofers want to touch it,” she said. “We haven’t really done anything yet… checks are just sitting there while we try to get all the paperwork together.”

Even with their immediate safety restored, families like the Slesses remain in limbo – able take comfort that everyone is safe, but still not yet able to move ahead and rebuild.