Support Recovery After Hurricanes Helene and Milton

As many of those who know I am Frank "The Barber" Marabello, from Rhode Island. I came to Punta Gorda, Florida to start a new life in my final years. In 2020, I purchased a place in Harbor Belle RV Resort, which is on Alligator Creek, leading to the Peace River and the Gulf of Mexico. In short, for me, it was Paradise. I would wake up each morning, go outside with my cup of coffee, and look down the creek at all types of birds flying around, such as Blue Heron and White Ibis. Snowy Egrets would actually come and eat out of your hand. Their favorite? Hot dogs. Then we'd have fish called Mullet that jump out of the water, Snook, Gray Snapper, and more. Boats docked, and palm trees with still waters—the sight would at times take one's breath away.

The person I purchased the property from had never experienced flooding in 24 years. The other issue was that having insurance, be it flood or otherwise, was either tough to get, unaffordable, or due to what was required by insurance providers, wasn't available. My place was purchased before Hurricane Ian, the hurricane that changed everything for Florida owners. The closer to the water, the harder it was to get insurance. With Ian, 18 insurance companies left the state or would no longer provide insurance on property, AAA being one of them.

Where my story started to where it's at now was like going from a dream to a nightmare. On September 26th, Hurricane Helene came in with 6-8 foot surges and flooded many properties and businesses. Everyone was cleaning up what they owned or lived in, throwing out much of the contents of their homes. When some were almost there, Ba Bam, just 12 days later, on October 9th, Hurricane Milton hit with a vengeance, taking whatever was salvageable from Hurricane Helene.

Everything from 4-bedroom homes to 1-bedroom apartments, including RVs and businesses of every kind, was destroyed. Everything within was now out on the sidewalks from Helene, then Milton.

I was no different. From living room sets to kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom, every appliance, drywall, electrical—you name it, it was done and out on the sidewalk. People who lived here for 4-5 decades never saw this much destruction. Let's not forget that tornadoes were also involved with Hurricane Milton. Surges reached 20 feet in some areas to 12 feet where I live. Water in your building from 4-9 feet. Boats 40-50 feet on the streets and even on the roof of one's home.

In my 77 years on earth, I have never seen or experienced this. The Blizzard of '78 couldn't compare to what water can do.

Like 70% of others, I either couldn't afford coverage, or in my case, especially after Ian, couldn't get it. In many RV parks, they only offer 30 amp service or 50 amp service, that's it, and insurance providers wanted 100 amps, which no RV park I know of offers, and if they do, it's rare.

FEMA is boss when it comes to whether you can or cannot repair anything here. If damages exceed 50% of the value, it's done. Tear it down and rebuild new and by code, or tear it down and take the total loss.

I think I pretty much covered this. If I am able to repair, it's electrical, drywall, all furniture needed, washer, dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator, cabinets that were made of particle board, couches, TVs, etc., etc., etc. All my tools in my shed were also flooded. Anyone reading this, look in your homes and think about if your home was flooded with 4-6 feet of brackish water (salt & fresh water mixed) and think about what you'd have to throw out and then replace. That's exactly what I'm looking at. If FEMA tells me it's over 50%, it's removing it. Where I live, I do not stand alone, for there are 230 of us in the same boat.

So if my family, friends, and former clients of MarDin are able help me with the funds needed to be spent in repairing, and replacing what was lost by these (2) back to back Hurricanes it would be greatly appreciated.