rebuild and gain our strength again. it is going to set us back a little bit. but we're pretty resilient people in mexico beach. >> near 75% of our city is not here. there's not one local business here, not one. we're mom and pop. this isn't hampton inn, pizza hut and walmart. >> reporter: just to get the city back up and running, the city manager estimates 12 to 18 months. the mayor says the latest estimate for power will be two months. there's no water, no sewer, virtually no communication. every now and then we can get cell phones to work but spotty at best. we're talking just about text messages that can get through. there is a resolve in the people we spoke to. it is a very special place they tell us. they keep it small. there's a reason they only have mom and pop businesses and don't