Relief for Maury Kopman

In the early morning hours of Monday, September 11, 2017, Hurricane Irma made her presence known in Middleburg, Florida.

Because he knew of the impending hurricane, and the likelihood of the Black Creek exceeding its banks, Maury Kopman packed what he could, and went to stay with friends on higher ground Sunday afternoon, September 10.  At that point of time, Northeast Florida was experiencing a Nor’easter storm.  Due to the storm’s rainfall and the coming hurricane combined expected rainfall and surge, the National Weather Service was predicting a major flood.  It was predicted that Black Creek would rise slowly and crest on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning.  It was the consensus among Maury’s friends that there would be an opportunity to remove more items on Monday if needed, once both storms were on their way and the final flood predictions were posted on the NWS website.

By 7:00am Monday morning, when Irma was still affecting the weather in Middleburg, the NWS had revised its predictions of the flood stage of the North Fork of the Black Creek where Maury lives. The creek was already flooded to the extent that Maury could not get to his home. All the residents that had stayed overnight in their homes on Scenic Drive in Middleburg had to be rescued. As friends of Maury, we were very thankful that he had left home on Sunday. If he had stayed until the hurricane was past, he too would have had to be saved by the first responders in boats. That is, of course, if he would have even been able to make it through the quickly rising waters of the flood and the hurricane force winds and rain. The creek was, to everyone’s surprise including the NWS, already at major flood stage by 7am. Thank God he did not try to spend the night at home. Thank God also that none of us will ever know how that would have ended.

When the sun finally made its appearance on Monday, the water was so high that the NWS instrumentation was unable to accurately measure the depth.  Flood stage is 16 feet.  At 3:00am Monday morning, they were registering 20 feet; major flood stage is at 21 feet.  By 12:15pm on Monday, the instruments topped off at 26.92 feet. No one knows exactly how much it continued to rise from there. This flood was totally unprecedented.

From the pictures you can see the water levels both at the house and the street from where we could stand on dry ground. Maury was able to hitch a ride in a canoe to see the house up close when the water was still rising. He had hoped to be able to get into the house but the water was just too high. All he could see through a window was household items floating. 

As the day passed, the water just kept coming. Finally, all we could see of the garage was part of the roof. Water completely submerged the house. The devastation inside the house is unbelievable and indescribable.

As can be expected, Maury is overwhelmed and distraught. He has lost almost everything he owns and he is now homeless. While he has been trying to get registered with FEMA to see what relief is available to him, he of course will have so many things he will need to replace, not to mention trying to find a permanent living situation. All of the deposits and other expenses of finding and moving into a new place will add up quickly. He had already taken his vacation this year, unfortunately, and without vacation time to be used, he will not be paid while all these details are being addressed and resolved. Obviously, this is a process that will take a great deal of time to completely resolve.

As alluded to earlier, Maury is still attempting to get registered with FEMA to find out what relief is available. He did have renter's insurance, and although he was told at the time of purchase it included flood protection, he is now receiving mixed messages regarding that. Apparently the insurance company had a recording when he called that led him to believe that if they would find that this was a water/rain related catastrophe, it was not covered under his policy. An adjuster has not returned his call yet, so Maury does not know for sure one way or another if they will pay for any loss or temporary living expenses. Any monies that are forthcoming from these sources will of course offset what Maury believes his financial need to be.

First and foremost, prayer is needed: Prayer for necessities, his mental and physical health as he sorts through and salvages what possessions he can, and all the many decisions he will have to make. While the bureaucracy of the government and the insurance company takes their time and relief from charitable organizations is dispersed who knows where, Maury's physical needs are also immediate. Losses, temporary living expenses, startup permanent living expenses, lost wages, and even meals eaten out since cooking and storing is impossible; all these expenses have already been incurred. He humbly is asking his friends and anyone else who would like to help with financial assistance to get back up again, to please contribute. Any gift, however small, is deeply appreciated.

 Thank you so much for your generosity and above all, your prayers. Maury is genuinely grateful.

 
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10.


My name is Gayle Tucker from Middleburg, Florida.  Maury and I have been dating for several years.  My parents own this home as it was built by my grandparents.  All donations (beyond the amount that GoFundMe takes) will go directly to Maury to help him rebuild his life as described above. As Maury needs funds, only he will have access to the funds.