<div>My name is Mary (Pascavage) Downs.  I live across the street from Austin Howells.  I am creating this Go Fund Me for my new neighbor, who's life has has just flipped upside due to Hurricane Milton. The funds received will go to repairing his home from the flood damage.  As a fellow Veteran, we take care of each other.  Please read his story:
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<div>My name is Austin Howells, I’m 28 years old, a Volusia County Florida native and a resident of Port Orange. I am a disabled veteran and served 8 years in the United States Navy (2014-2022). I am a single father to a 6 year old son, Maverick.  I was trying my best to build a life for my son and I after I got out of the service. After 8 years away from family, 3 deployments and 3 tours later, I thought there’s no better place to settle than right back in my hometown and be with family again. After securing new employment and working hard in my day to day life, I finally got into a position to buy my first  house.  A house I planned on living in until my son started a family of his own and a house to pass onto him when that time comes. After searching so long for the perfect home to settle into, I thought I had found it. I closed on the house on September 12th, 2024 and moved in about a week and a half later. About two weeks after moving in, on October 10th, 2024, Hurricane Milton struck Florida and flooded my house and my neighborhood. It was devastating to the point where my son and I had to be rescued by two amazing gentlemen with a Jon boat going door to door. We returned to the neighborhood after the water receded to brand new furniture ruined, tons of other ruined belongings, including irreplaceable sentimental items. Before I bought the house, one of the big selling points was that it wasn’t rated as a flood zone so it wasn’t necessary to buy flood insurance.  It used to be rated in a flood zone and the City of Port Orange changed it to non flood zone.  It was told to me the sellers of the house didn’t flood during hurricane Ian back in 2022. In the seller disclosure it stated clearly that hurricane Ian had no outside water intrusion. Unfortunately, that was untrue.  I was later informed by several neighbors who lived here the past few decades the truth.  They have shown me photos and video of the flooding destruction Hurricane Ian did to this entire neighborhood. Because of this untrue home history, I thought I was safe and was purchasing a home with no flood history. I thought there wouldn’t be these sorts of hidden issues. I had a home inspection done and there was no disclosure that the home had previously had flood damage. On that pretense, I signed the deed and bought the house. I would have never bought it if I knew it’s real history. A couple days after the purchase, my neighbors started to introduce themselves and the first thing they asked was if I had flood insurance. I told them I didn’t need it, that this neighborhood was not in a flood zone. My neighbors told me the true history and my heart sunk into my stomach. I immediately went and purchased a flood policy. I had no idea that 2 weeks later we would be hit with Hurricane Milton. I filed a claim with my flood insurance, it was denied.  They said there is a 30-day waiting period for the policy to take effect. Between the time I bought the home, the policy and the hurricane hit making landfall, I was in that 30 day waiting period.  My flood insurance will not cover damages to my new home. The damage is extensive and has made the house uninhabitable. It will take a lot to get it repaired correctly. After paying closing cost on my new home, purchasing furniture and not being covered by flood insurance, the project is going to be costly for me. The real tragedy outside of the damage is merely the fact that I was duped into buying a house that was misrepresented. Had I known the truth that the house suffered extensive flood damage from Hurricane Ian two years prior, I’d have steered clear and resumed my house hunting for my forever home. I’m now leery to live here even if it is fixed, I’m afraid to turn this house into a home because of the looming fear of it flooding again and my son and I losing out on our livelihood a second time. Right now, my goal is to rebuild and put this bad experience behind me. I went from being a first time home buyer to essentially homeless in a mere three weeks. If it wasn’t for family, my 6 year old son and I would be living out of my car. I’m very thankful we have a safe place to stay with family. This experience has been confusing and stressful, having never experienced a flood out of the many hurricanes I’ve experienced. At the end of the day I’m thankful for the safety of my son and me.  Material items are replaceable but people aren’t. It’s humbling for me to ask for help but I need to make this house livable for my son, sister and me.  If you are able to contribute, it would be a blessing. If not, just sharing this on any social media would be greatly appreciated.  I’m thankful for every bit of support during the hardest challenge I’ve faced in my life. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.
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Aid a Veteran: Restore Austin's Flooded Home

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