Some Central Florida families are still trying to recover from the 2022 hurricane season after the destruction that Hurricane Ian left behind nearly nine months ago.

Osceola County officials said there are 30 households that are still living in hotels through FEMA. Comparatively, officials with Seminole County said there are still five staying in hotels and 10 in temporary housing.

Bradley Freilich has been staying at a hotel since November 2022. Nine months after Ian hit, he still does not have a stable place to live. FEMA is funding his hotel stay until June 29, but he says the double-wide trailer he owns in Seminole County is still covered in black mold.

“In every room in the house, the water had leaked to the point where pieces of the ceiling fell in,” said Freilich.

The flooding left the carpets saturated with water, and he says his mobile home is unlivable.

As the 2023 hurricane season kicks off, Freilich said he’s dreading what could come. He says the stresses of it, plus battling depression and his health conditions, make it worse.

“Getting myself up and going, it’s a problem,”  he said.

He said Red Cross provided funds for his short-term expenses and FEMA has been a huge help, but what they’ve offered to provide is less than what’s needed to make his trailer livable again.

“I rather have a permanent home,” he said. “It’s ultimately because of the situation here there is nothing to do, nothing to situate myself with that I end up in bed almost all day long.”

Freilich says he also hasn’t had any luck with contractors willing to fix his mobile home. He said all he could save the night he left was a duffel bag, a few sets of clothes, a pillow and a blanket.

“Ultimately, right now, I have maybe a dozen changes of clothes,” he said.

Freilich said he sees a light at the end of the tunnel by searching for resources and help.

His message for people that are in similar situations as hurricane season kicks off is to get homeowner’s insurance, have a plan and stay calm if things go south.

“The darker it gets, remember it’s easier to see the light," he said. "The darker it gets, focus on the light."