Support a Family in Need After Devastating Flood

Thank you for taking time to read about our experience and help in any way that you can. My name is John Singleton. My wife Jessica, my son George, our dog Max, and I just had our house completely flooded during Hurricane Helene.

This is the 2nd time in 12 months that we've had to go through this, and I never imagined that I'd be making a post like this. We had 4 feet of water fill our home and literally destroy everything. All of our furniture is gone, all of our appliances are destroyed. This was a cataclysmic event for not just us, but most of western Florida. What most people don't understand about flooding from a Hurricane is that it drives not only the saltwater in but all of the sewers back up so it's kind of like a toilet bowl ran through your house for several hours.

The other thing most people don't know (we didn't either until the first one last year) is that Flood Insurance doesn't cover personal property inside the home. That's a special add-on that doubles the cost of the insurance. Typically homeowners insurance covers everything (including all property), but with a Hurricane with a storm surge, the Flood policy kicks in and overrides everything. Flood will cover putting the house back together. Drywall, cabinets, etc, but not the contents inside the home.

Although we flooded last year, we dodged a bullet because it miraculously avoided our furniture. We had to replace our washer and dryer and many other things not covered out of pocket. Even with insurance, we incurred so many expenses last time that we burned through savings, credit, and everything to get our home rebuilt. We just finally put in closet doors last month, which was the last of the items from the last storm and hadn't even painted the doors yet, and now we find ourselves here.

When it hit last year, it was the first time in 30 years that our home had been flooded, and it was "minor" compared to this one. Now, as I sit here typing this, we've truly been razed to the ground and must build back up from ground zero. We didn't ask for help last time, and it's really taking me out of my comfort zone to ask for help now, but there's no other choice. Last time we were able to live in the house while it was repaired. This time it's so extensive that we need to find housing for a few months at least. We have no bed to sleep on. All kitchen appliances are gone. Washer and dryer are gone.

It's a hard reset all the way around. Truly a disaster.

I pray that whoever reads this can help in some way. We are blessed beyond measure even with this situation we find ourselves in. We've been through others. It's just a hiccup. But this time, we really need help beyond our means.

For those that don't know me, I'm an overcomer and God has blessed me in countless ways. After every loss came a new gift.

I know there will be new gifts to come from this too.

But this isn't just about me, it's about my family. My wife, son, and our elderly German Shepherd. We appreciate your help more than you could ever know.

Sincerely,

John Singleton