Support Renee's Recovery from Tropical Storm Debby

Dear Family, Friends, and Supporters,

My name is Aleena Ruscella, and I am the niece to Renee Ruscella Pagan. I am from Tampa, Florida and my aunt is from Sarasota, Florida. I have lived here for over 20 years and grew up in various cities around Florida. My aunt has lived in the Sarasota area for over 50 years. Despite being in a location that is known to deal with hurricanes, tropical storms, rain, and thunderstorms, Tropical Storm Debby was unlike anything we had ever experienced. Sarasota, Florida experienced the brunt of this storm, and its aftereffects are life-altering for many. Funds for this GoFundMe will be used to help rebuild my Aunt Renee's home during this crisis.

On August 3rd, storm Debby moved into the Sarasota area, bringing with it relentless rain and rising floodwaters that have wreaked havoc. The situation took a dramatic turn on Monday morning, the 5th, around 5:00 a.m. Renee awoke to find her bedroom floor submerged in water. Despite her best efforts to protect her belongings and the quick response from friends who came to help, the rain continued to pour. Water began seeping through all the sliding door sets, and soon the guest bedroom, the main family room, the second back bedroom, the hallway, the dining room, the guest bath and the kitchen were all inundated, including the already flooded master bedroom. The incessant downpour transformed the entire street into a vast, impassable lake, rendering it impossible to drive or access any resources. Frankly, there was nowhere for the water to drain.

What started as a familiar, but manageable, weather event turned into a devastating flood that has caused significant damage to her property and has placed an enormous financial burden on her.

The extent of the damage includes numerous flooded rooms, ruining the flooring and causing significant damage to a large amount of drywall as described above(up to 4 feet high in many places). The sliding doors have also damaged along with the leaking tracks, and
rugs have been soaked and removed with the flooring.

Expenses Thus Far:

Flooring (Vinyl Planks & Underlayment): $4,746.17
Drywall Replacement & Labor: $2,900.00
Home Depot Supplies: $281.19
Interior Paint (Sherwin Williams & Home Depot): $396.16

Miscellaneous Supplies (Home Depot): $139.43

Sliding Door Replacements (Estimated): $17,000.00

Friends have already spent hundreds of dollars and countless hours helping Renee, and their contributions are not included in this list. Additionally, a clean-up company was quoted $10-15K for mitigation, which was not feasible. Thanks to the volunteer hours of her church family, there would be a much higher cost in labor. The floor has yet to be installed, and there are more repairs to come.

Several factors have compounded the difficulties Renee faces as she deals with the aftermath of the flooding.

One significant issue is the absence of flood insurance. Renee’s home is situated far from a recognized flood zone, which led to the decision not to carry flood insurance. This was based on the fact that, in the 24 years she has lived in her home, she had never encountered such severe flooding. As a result, she is now facing the full financial burden of the damage without the assistance of insurance coverage.

Adding to the challenge are Renee’s ongoing health issues, which further complicate her situation. Recently, she underwent surgery on her right hand, which has made many recovery tasks more difficult and physically taxing. Additionally, she has struggled with chronic health challenges necessitating hospitalization and extensive medical treatment. She is also dealing with a serious sinus infection that requires continuous care and will soon require surgery. The debris in the home had exacerbated this issue. These health concerns have not only strained her physically but have also consumed significant financial resources over the past year.

As a single income earner, Renee is solely responsible for all household expenses and the upkeep of her home. Her full-time job provides the only source of income, and the additional financial strain of the flood damages places considerable pressure on her already limited resources.

The flooding has also disrupted her plans to find a new renter, which has further impacted her financial stability. The flood’s timing has delayed the process of securing a new tenant, exacerbating her income challenges and adding another layer of stress to an already overwhelming situation.

Together, these factors create a complex and difficult situation for Renee, making her recovery from this disaster even more challenging.

Renee has always been a pillar of strength and generosity, and now she needs our support to get back on her feet. Any donation, big or small, will make a significant difference in helping her recover from this disaster. The funds will go towards repairs, replacement of damaged items, and covering additional expenses that have arisen from this unexpected calamity. If unable to donate at this time, prayers are very appreciated as well.

Your support means the world to Renee during this challenging time.