DELAND, Fla. — For weeks after Hurricane Ian dropped over 20 inches of rain on Central Florida, flooding persisted along the St. Johns River. Now, those still recovering from the flooding caused by Hurricane Ian are preparing for more possible flooding as Tropical Storm Nicole approaches. 

The storm, which is expected to become a hurricane before making landfall on Florida’s Atlantic coast, has prompted flood and tropical storm warnings for the area of the St. Johns River near DeLand. 

For Tiena Gall and her husband Charles Gall, who own Shady Oak Restaurant, a riverside tavern, the approach of the storm is causing concern. During Hurricane Ian, the restaurant – a local staple serving specials like catfish and shrimp and grits – was badly damaged.  

“We were approximately a foot, maybe a little bit more, inside the restaurant,” said Tiena Gall. 

It has taken over a month for the couple to begin to rebuild the restaurant, which was devastated by floodwaters. It remains closed. 

“We washed and cleaned everything inside, top to bottom and we are almost back together,” said Gall. In total, Gall estimated that the damages caused by the flood cost her and her husband $30,000. 

That’s not including revenue lost due to the restaurant’s prolonged closure. With the St. Johns River near DeLand once again under a flood warning, the couples’ plans to reopen this month could be in jeopardy.

“Without a business, you don’t have the money to make the payments that you have on your personal side,” said Gall. “So it’s been a struggle, all the way around.” 

The restaurant is located directly on the river and the back patio is still submerged in water, so flood prevention methods like putting down sandbags won’t do much. Instead, Gall is focused on rebuilding the restaurant and taking the storm one day at a time. 

“This storm right now is definitely not what anybody needs,” said Gall. “But it’s gonna be what it’s gonna be.”