Fort Lauderdale Flooding Victim
Donation protected
Did you ever JUST move into a new place and immediately be flooded out of it? My dogs and I just were. My name is James. I’m originally from Chicago and have lived in Fort Lauderdale since 2011. I am raising funds for myself and my 3 dogs.
After just getting settled in, with new furniture and all, April 12th’s record rain caused a flash flood into our new place, causing us to flee quickly with only the clothes I had on, two towels, and my 3 dogs. We swam to my truck in the driveway, I got my babies thrown into the backseat, and ventured out of the driveway — into a street where the water was almost over the hood of my SUV. Trying to get to any higher ground with the truck taking on water, I saw a neighbor’s driveway that was somewhat higher. We sat there for an hour or so, and the people came out to offer us water and food (so nice).
11 pm came around and the rain started stopping. Noticing other SUVs slowly getting through the deep water in the street, I attempted to move again to a safer place. Again, we were almost swept away and stranded in the water, but finally got to a big parking lot that was not flooded, where dozens of others also took refuge.
Via Twitter where I was posting info, etc., I was contacted and interviewed by ABC Digital News Correspondent Peter Charalambous:
shorturl.at/cknr5
I’ve never experienced flooding like this before and I can’t believe how terrifying it was — and how fast a small amount of water on your lawn can turn into a flash flood very quickly.
The dogs and I have been in the car since but had a hotel room for a couple of nights, but this is not affordable or sustainable. I went to Red Cross yesterday to get a clean shirt and a bag of dog food, but they really couldn’t let me have a cot with the dogs.
I’m still waiting for flood cleaners to be able to get in my place and pump water out and begin cleaning, but still the water hasn’t receded enough. It does appear I’m losing all that new furniture and not sure what else, but it’s probably everything that was submerged. I’m so anxious waiting to see the damage.
I attach some photos of my street yesterday (4/14/23) as close as I could get where my place is, and of my dogs — who think we are on an adventure or a vacation — so I am going along with that. They lost all their toys too.
So…any donations sure would help — especially for lodging right now, and subsequently for basic furniture, food, and care for my 3 dogs.
All the best, and thanks —
James G., Chloe, Molly and Ryan
After just getting settled in, with new furniture and all, April 12th’s record rain caused a flash flood into our new place, causing us to flee quickly with only the clothes I had on, two towels, and my 3 dogs. We swam to my truck in the driveway, I got my babies thrown into the backseat, and ventured out of the driveway — into a street where the water was almost over the hood of my SUV. Trying to get to any higher ground with the truck taking on water, I saw a neighbor’s driveway that was somewhat higher. We sat there for an hour or so, and the people came out to offer us water and food (so nice).
11 pm came around and the rain started stopping. Noticing other SUVs slowly getting through the deep water in the street, I attempted to move again to a safer place. Again, we were almost swept away and stranded in the water, but finally got to a big parking lot that was not flooded, where dozens of others also took refuge.
Via Twitter where I was posting info, etc., I was contacted and interviewed by ABC Digital News Correspondent Peter Charalambous:
shorturl.at/cknr5
I’ve never experienced flooding like this before and I can’t believe how terrifying it was — and how fast a small amount of water on your lawn can turn into a flash flood very quickly.
The dogs and I have been in the car since but had a hotel room for a couple of nights, but this is not affordable or sustainable. I went to Red Cross yesterday to get a clean shirt and a bag of dog food, but they really couldn’t let me have a cot with the dogs.
I’m still waiting for flood cleaners to be able to get in my place and pump water out and begin cleaning, but still the water hasn’t receded enough. It does appear I’m losing all that new furniture and not sure what else, but it’s probably everything that was submerged. I’m so anxious waiting to see the damage.
I attach some photos of my street yesterday (4/14/23) as close as I could get where my place is, and of my dogs — who think we are on an adventure or a vacation — so I am going along with that. They lost all their toys too.
So…any donations sure would help — especially for lodging right now, and subsequently for basic furniture, food, and care for my 3 dogs.
All the best, and thanks —
James G., Chloe, Molly and Ryan
Organizer
James Gainey
Organizer
Fort Lauderdale, FL