Recovery efforts underway in Pasco County

PORT RICHEY, Fla., (WFLA) — Recovery efforts are now underway in Pasco County after Helene paved her way through the area, destroying homes, businesses, cars, and more.

Many people are hurting in the aftermath. In Pasco, they had around 400 to 500 calls during the storm, but officials said they could only answer around 20% at times.

One of those calls was for Philly 40— a business that is now a total loss on the inside.

Nico Pascale owns the yellow restaurant that sits on the corner at 7810 US-19. He has been in the restaurant business most of his life.

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Helene took his Philly Cheesesteak business from him, one that held a special place in his heart.

"This one is for both of my daughters, takes care of all of their stuff, schooling and everything," he said.

Pascale said he was at his restaurant for hours while the storm hit.

"Stayed until about 11:30, or so, when the water got real high, then I pulled out and the Fire Chief actually sent a picture," he added. "They couldn't, the water was about six and a half feet here, so they couldn't get to it right away. The propane tank was just burning and burning."

Because the water levels were so high, it was hard to get to his building.

"As the propane tank was burning, it hit the back of the building, so that's what caught on fire and burnt everything inside," Pascale said.

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The owner had put so much money, time, and work into his daughters' place.

"I think I just went numb because I just remodeled everything, just ordered a new wood fire brick oven for pizza, now it's a total loss," he said.

His plan now is to have a food trailer out in the parking lot to keep his business going. He will be doing that while he cleans and repairs his building from the inside out.

"It's emotional, put a lot of work into it, it's hard but we'll get through it, we will get through it."

For anyone in the county needing food or water, Pasco is operating two distribution locations from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. One is in the parking lot of the Hudson Library and the other is at Harrill Recreation Complex.