First Responder Family needs to rebuild home after Helene

Friends and family,

Our home in Dunedin, FL was destroyed by over four feet of floodwater and sewage backup from Hurricane Helene and now we face the daunting task of starting over.

My husband, Tom, has been a firefighter-paramedic at Safety Harbor Fire Department for 23 years responding to others in need in their time of need. We have worked on at least one project a year on our current home for the last 12 years, and we were so close to completing it the way we imagined. I know he is going to be working his tail off every day he is not at work in order to keep the costs of the rebuild at a minimum. We are blessed to have the brother and sisterhood at the fire department help out as well. I will be assisting in the rebuild as much as possible, but my Myasthenia Gravis prevents my body from performing too many repetitive actions before it shuts those actions down entirely.

Our twin nine-year-old’s, Max and Zoey, have been doing well so far, even though we only saved a couple bins of their favorite things and have been bouncing between friend and families’ homes. It feels insanely selfish to ask for any donation, especially when we know so many people personally affected, but we simply do not have the funds to buy new tools, clothes, shoes, food while trying to rebuild our home, especially while paying our current mortgage.

Due last year’s flood at our residence, we are now required to rebuild our home to code, which mandates elevating it high above sea level. Unfortunately, our Homeowners insurance will not cover the building as it was flooding. While we did increase our flood insurance after last year’s flood, it will be nowhere near the ballpark for the quotes we have been getting of $300-350 per square foot to rebuild the structure.

Compounding this, FEMA denied any assistance because we have flood insurance; even though they issued a major disaster declaration, which would aid with temporary housing. Homeowners insurance nor flood insurance cover temporary housing.

We are asking for donations, no matter the size, and only within your means, to help with storage fees for the little we could save, leveling, permitting, rebuilding and refurnishing. Your support would greatly ease the burden on Tom and the wonderful community at the fire department that is stepping in to assist us.

Thank-you for considering supporting our family during this difficult time. We appreciate any contributions and are grateful for your kindness and generosity.

With heartfelt thanks,

Tamara, Tom, Max, and Zoey