BRADENTON BEACH, Fla. — Manatee County’s largest wildlife rescue center remains closed following the damage it sustained during recent storms.

The Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center Inc., located in Bradenton Beach, typically helps more than 3,000 animals a year.

“We’ve been doing this for 34 years," Straight said. "I don’t know what to do without it."

Straight, who owns and operates the nonprofit center, also lives on the property. However, the combination of Hurricane Helen’s storm surge and Hurricane Milton’s winds caused significant damage to the interior of the building. While none of the animals were harmed, the damage has left Straight and her husband displaced and living with a friend nearby.

“It’s been traumatizing,” she said. “One of these days, we might actually have a house again. We’re trying to get ahold of plumbers and electricians, but they’re all so busy. I just need to get back home. It’s even harder with my husband on dialysis and a pacemaker, and we can’t get back home."

Straight’s said her biggest challenge is getting the insurance money she’s been paying into for more than 50 years.

“We’re just not getting it done, just not getting our insurance money to get it done,” she said. “I can’t keep putting all this stuff on my charge card. We paid for insurance. We should be able to get our insurance.”

Despite these challenges, Straight’s primary focus remains on caring for the animals at the center, many of which have remarkable stories of survival.

“He got hit by something. He had head trauma. And he’s doing much better,” she said, while caring for an injured animal.

Living off site has made things more difficult.

“I come back and forth," she said. "I’m here eight hours a day, but the animals aren’t happy."

The wildlife center is not only a lifeline for the animals but also for Straight, who has dedicated decades to nursing them back to health. Now, she hopes to do the same for the center itself.

Straight said she hopes to reopen the center in February.