'Never give up’: Davis Islands couple reflects on hurricane that changed everything

DAVIS ISLANDS, Fla. (WFLA) — Hurricane season is here again, and several across Tampa Bay are still recovering from last season's storms.

For one couple on Davis Islands, the memories of floodwaters, loss, and starting over are still fresh.

John and Julie Fillingim moved to Davis Islands in 2021 never thinking a hurricane would flood their street, let alone their living room. But when hurricane season hit, they learned just how fast conditions can turn.

“Helene is the one that got us,” John said. “You know, we had, we were visiting with folks that lived on the island for years that day, and they said, ‘Oh, don’t worry about it. Never floods. Davis Islands doesn’t flood. It’s been 100 years,’ and we listened to that too much.”

The couple stayed until water crawled up to their front door