“The people in that area wanted to be down closer to the water and you really wouldn't expect the water to rise like it did. They are closer to eight feet in that area so it's like I said before, anything under 12 feet was going to take in water.”

That was exactly the case for the Pine Tree Lodge and the surrounding homes. Based on Gebaurer's math, most of those houses and the Lodge would have had water up to the rooftops. Even by Wednesday, the water was as high as four or five feet inside most of those homes.

As far as Taylor's Landing, Durkee said most of the houses there did just fine. He said aside from the few that were flooded, everyone was alright.

“Maybe some wind damage here and there,” he said. “I think once things dry out, we're going to be fine.”

Because of a strong northern wind and a healthy current that is drawing the water back toward the Gulf of Mexico, Gebaurer said he figured the flooding would reside by the end of the weekend, if not sooner.

But even when the alligators crawl back down from Belle Oaks No. 8 green and even when cars (instead of boats) are capable of driving down all the roads of LaBelle, there will be plenty of work to do, as many power lines, homes, docks and trees were destroyed in the storm.