St. Armands business owners assess damage from Hurricane Helene

Devastation ran through St. Armands Circle after business owners and residents were allowed back following Hurricane Helene on the morning of Sept. 28. 

Walking around the usually busy tourist destination, people cautiously stepped around the debris, puddles and glass left from the storm scattered on the sidewalks. The area received feet of storm surge as the hurricane passed offshore in the gulf Thursday night. 

Numerous business owners expressed sadness around the Circle through sobs and shock after seeing their life's work destroyed.

"There was probably not one business on the circle that wasn't affected by the storm," said Cigar Paradise Manager Carolyn Conner.

Green Zebra Cafe Owners Vasil and Elena Ianakiev said in their 10 years at St. Armands, they have never had damage like this. Not knowing what to expect, they came to the cafe on Saturday morning and saw the entire interior ruined, including their refrigerators flipped upside-down. 

"There really is nothing we can do now," said Vasil Ianakiev. "We just have to be positive and move forward, hopefully opening back up soon."

Like most businesses, Cafe L'Europe is closed indefinitely due to the damage caused by around four feet of water. Director of Catering Sales Ashley Watts compared the site to a war zone. 

Crab and Fin Owner Scott McDonald echoed others that the damage is far worse than they ever experienced. 

"We've been here over 40 years," said McDonald. "The worst we have had in other years has been a couple of inches of water. We had five feet of water from this hurricane. Our floors, windows, everything is completely destroyed."