After T.S. Debby, Franklin County Bounces Back for July 4th Busi - WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News Leader

This week marks the peak of tourism season across the Panhandle, but in Franklin County Tropical Storm Debby had businesses scrambling to be ready by July 4^th.  

Last week, when high winds and strong rain pounded Franklin County, Commissioner Pinki Jackel made a promise.  

"We need their prayers, but we are also hopeful that we will get open by the weekend and we are going to have a great 4th of July weekend," Jackel said.  

Not breaking that promise was a challenge for employees at the Apalachicola Maritime Museum, as high tides pulled its exhibits and store under water.  

"When the tide came back up, the water came back into the store it was blowing so hard we had water blowing up under the museum," said employee Wesley Hagler.  

But Hagler and his co-workers washed away any doubt and worked day and night to have their "open" sign flashing again.  

"It's a very important week for us. It's the height of tourism here in Apalachicola and the summer season is the high season," Hagler added. "We had to be open because we were going to probably have a lot of visitors."  

For tourists, they didn't see Debby's destruction and could tell businesses put in that effort to bounce, but just to make sure, visitor Jack Pierson called ahead.  

"I called yesterday to find out if there was any residual damage after the storm and I was assured that there wasn't much damage and business was back to normal," Pierson said.  

He is one of many guests visiting Franklin County this week and that prove to be true by the names listed in the reservation book at the Apalachicola River Inn.  

"We are completely booked," said Apalachicola Inn employee, Angel Feder. "It didn't affect us, it really didn't thank God." 

"It looks like business as usual, everybody seems happy," Pierson added. 

For a list of July 4^th events in Franklin County, visit the county's TDC website here.