Sommerville's Hurricane Recovery

My name is Jen Graham,  my husband Brian has been friends with our dear friend Grace Sommerville since they attended Broadway Baptist school together. Grace, her husband Cliff and their two children have lost their home again due to flooding from Hurricane Harvey. This is the 3rd time they have had to start over.  The first time was in 94 due to a flood, part of their recovery was to take extra precautions and build a berm around the house with pumps in the yard which have always worked when they had any type of rain or rising water.  Last year on April 16th her home was hit by a tornado, then 2 days later part of her home burned down. Then just a few weeks later on May 26th, when they weren't home to turn on the pumps, their home was completely destroyed by a flood.  They thought they were prepared for Harvey, this time not only did they have the pumps going, they brought in sand bags.  Last night the roof started to leak and then this morning at 5 am the flood waters breached their berm. They called neighbors and started to dig trenches. Their pumps were pumping over 25000 gallons per hour.  When they realized they wouldn't be able to save the house they gathered their children, put them in life jackets and on a pool float and fled their home through a window, swimming through the filthy water and to a neighbor's house.  They left with nothing. The most tragic thing is that her children that she recently adopted have lost everything twice with an 18 months time span. You might ask why has she stayed? It's because they are taking care of her mother with dementia and the doctor's have said that because she's familiar with her surroundings moving her might be worse for her mentally. However, now she thinks they're going to move away from their family property and rebuild their lives elsewhere.  They do not have flood insurance and will need help with daily living exenses and replacing lost belongings. Any amount will help and I will be sure that all of the funds raised go directly to Grace and her family. If there are excess funds collected beyond what they need to get on their feet, I will donate it to other flood victims.  This go fund me was approved by Grace and you are welcome to contact her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/grace.yorksommerville
or if you know her personally via her phone.  If you would like all of your funds to go directly to her you can use Paypal and send money to [email redacted]



Thank you all very much!