PALMETTO, Fla. (WWSB) – Erin Paris, a longtime Manatee County resident, says she and her family saw two huge ships crash into the backyard of her Palmetto home during the hurricane Helene.

“My husband and son went out to tie down the boat during the storm so it wouldn’t crash into our dock or the neighbors’ dock,” she said.

Not only that, but another boat almost crashed into his mother-in-law’s house.

“Luckily we got her out, but it was still scary to see her come so close,” Paris said.

Boats are considered abandoned after 45 days of abandonment, based on other criteria, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Paris says she is working with state officials to allocate funds to create legislation that would alleviate the problem in Florida.

Copyright 2024 WWSB. All rights reserved.