Family Displaced / Hurricane Irma
Donation protected
Our devastation began with the heavy rains after Hurricane Harvey overflowed the Imperial River that was not too far from our home in Florida. At that time streets flooded and we had 6 inches of water inside our house. We were able to move some of the items to the living room which is 4 steps up from the rest of the house. They started repairs on the house and two weeks later Hurrican Irma hit, with the eye of the storm right over us. We didn’t think it could have gotten worse than before but with all the ground saturated already we ended up with waist deep water in our streets and over 2 1/2 feet inside our home.
We had already lost the kids bedroom furniture, boys bunk beds, dresser, chest, Jaziah’s bedroom set and Nicole’s bedroom set. From the first flooding. This second one took the kitchen table and everything in the kitchen as they had already taken cabinets down and put contents in boxes on kitchen floor. Everything in small bathroom of Nicole’s and the kids had been put in the bathtub during repairs but Irma’s flooding was so high you couldn’t even see the tub.
We took a boat to our home to check if the water had gotten into our living room. By the grace of God at the highest point it was two inches below the top step. Now it was going to be a waiting game until the water receded to retrieve our things as the only way to get to the house was by boat or huge monster trucks. Little did we know the house would be without power for 13 days and the dangerous mold started. It was getting so bad it was growing on the ceiling of the portion of the house that didn’t flood. We were able to save some of the furniture and clothes but everything else is having to be thrown out. We thought we were saving the kids toys and bikes by putting them in the storage shed that was higher ground in the back yard having no clue that would be underwater as well.
We’ve applied for FEMA with no assistance, not even temporary housing or hotel rooms. Our rental insurance doesn’t cover flooding so they won’t replace anything. Now all 9 of us have been displaced from our home. We are going to have to find homes with first, last and security and start rebuilding our lives. We were fortunate enough after mom passed to find this large home for us all to be together and it has been a total blessing. The new addition of a beautiful healthy baby boy to the family 3 days after Hurricane Irma went through has been a ray of sunshine in our lives.
We are not the type of people to ask for help, we always seem to manage ourselves. After this Catastrophe we’ve learned that so many people want to. Mercy Chefs fed us two great meals a day until they had to leave. Community volunteers have set up a tent close to our taking donations of water, non perishable food, baby items, cleaning supplies and anything people want to help give. I’ve seen cars line up to the tent with carloads of items trying to help all of us underwater still. A man driving the ends of the streets with 25.00 Walmart gift cards from his friend in Dallas to pass out to people working on their homes. All he wanted in return was a picture of the recipient to know who received them. The community outreach has been amazing.
Red Cross had donated their funds to those hit by Harvey, so there isn’t much to go for Irma. We’re still waiting on fema to even address our neighborhood. So we’re are going to ask for help. Anything to help our family rebuild would be so greatly appreciated. You think you are strong people until something like this brings you to your knees. So as we are on our knees we are going to pray for the help we need for all of us.
Tracy, Tyler, Nadia, Nicole, Andrew, Damian (10), Jaziah (8), MJ (6) and Kaiden (1 week)
We had already lost the kids bedroom furniture, boys bunk beds, dresser, chest, Jaziah’s bedroom set and Nicole’s bedroom set. From the first flooding. This second one took the kitchen table and everything in the kitchen as they had already taken cabinets down and put contents in boxes on kitchen floor. Everything in small bathroom of Nicole’s and the kids had been put in the bathtub during repairs but Irma’s flooding was so high you couldn’t even see the tub.
We took a boat to our home to check if the water had gotten into our living room. By the grace of God at the highest point it was two inches below the top step. Now it was going to be a waiting game until the water receded to retrieve our things as the only way to get to the house was by boat or huge monster trucks. Little did we know the house would be without power for 13 days and the dangerous mold started. It was getting so bad it was growing on the ceiling of the portion of the house that didn’t flood. We were able to save some of the furniture and clothes but everything else is having to be thrown out. We thought we were saving the kids toys and bikes by putting them in the storage shed that was higher ground in the back yard having no clue that would be underwater as well.
We’ve applied for FEMA with no assistance, not even temporary housing or hotel rooms. Our rental insurance doesn’t cover flooding so they won’t replace anything. Now all 9 of us have been displaced from our home. We are going to have to find homes with first, last and security and start rebuilding our lives. We were fortunate enough after mom passed to find this large home for us all to be together and it has been a total blessing. The new addition of a beautiful healthy baby boy to the family 3 days after Hurricane Irma went through has been a ray of sunshine in our lives.
We are not the type of people to ask for help, we always seem to manage ourselves. After this Catastrophe we’ve learned that so many people want to. Mercy Chefs fed us two great meals a day until they had to leave. Community volunteers have set up a tent close to our taking donations of water, non perishable food, baby items, cleaning supplies and anything people want to help give. I’ve seen cars line up to the tent with carloads of items trying to help all of us underwater still. A man driving the ends of the streets with 25.00 Walmart gift cards from his friend in Dallas to pass out to people working on their homes. All he wanted in return was a picture of the recipient to know who received them. The community outreach has been amazing.
Red Cross had donated their funds to those hit by Harvey, so there isn’t much to go for Irma. We’re still waiting on fema to even address our neighborhood. So we’re are going to ask for help. Anything to help our family rebuild would be so greatly appreciated. You think you are strong people until something like this brings you to your knees. So as we are on our knees we are going to pray for the help we need for all of us.
Tracy, Tyler, Nadia, Nicole, Andrew, Damian (10), Jaziah (8), MJ (6) and Kaiden (1 week)
Organizer
Tracy Hanlon
Organizer
Bonita Springs, FL
