Displaced by Hurricane Idalia - Housing Needed

Maureen & Steve Mancini, displaced by Hurricane Idalia

Links to News outlets their story has been featured on:

NBC 8 WFLA - https://shorturl.at/BELMX

GroundNews.com - https://shorturl.at/dDU16

SpotOnFlorida.com - https://shorturl.at/pEFX2

Hi, my name is Melissa Mancini and I'm from MA.

On Saturday August 26th, my dad Steve Mancini, flew from his home in Hudson FL to MA to visit my son and me.

There was a tropical storm brewing off the Gulf. By Sunday evening it was projected to hit my parents’ home as Category 3 Hurricane Idalia.

My stepmom, Maureen Mancini, was able to book a flight for my dad back to FL for Tuesday, so she would not be alone in prepping for and riding out the storm.

But Tampa airport closed. My stepmom evacuated to a neighbor’s daughters house after prepping the home without my dad. We are so grateful to that family for helping her prep and for taking her in (and Monkey!) and opening their home up so graciously!

My dad had to sit back and watch the devastation unfold through the news, and community Facebook page updates. And my stepmom had to face this head on with as much comfort and support as my dad could give to her from halfway across the country.

After the storm passed my stepmom returned home and found the home had some flooding. With all the other devastation surrounding them, they were grateful that this is all that happened. They planned to cut out sheet rock, and replace floors, lower cabinets and maybe a little electrical. The airport opened back up and my dad was able to get a flight back for Thursday morning. All was going to be manageable!

But Thursday morning that all changed when their home caught fire due to a possible electrical surge. Whatever was salvageable prior to the fire is no longer. It was either burned, or is covered in soot. They've lost everything.

Every penny they had went into renovating this home, because when they purchased it, there were undisclosed issues that had not been remediated properly. So, my dad has spent years ripping it apart on fixing it correctly. He completed the last project of hanging the last closet door, the day before flying to MA to visit us.

Insurance will help, but there is an extensive line of people waiting and they need funds now because they are completely displaced. Not only was this structure their home, but it was also my stepmom’s workspace since she works remotely. My dad is retired.

True to my stepmoms form, she did not let on how bad it was out of concern that my dad would worry too much about her. She is one of the most selfless and giving people on the planet! But he soon realized when they were finally reunited Thursday afternoon.

They are now facing two housing payments for an indefinite time since they are in need of interim housing and will still have to maintain their mortgage payments on the home while they rebuild. And it could be some time before that starts since there is an extensive line of people who have also been affected by Hurricane Idalia. They have no clothes, personal care items, furniture, or housewares. Any amount will help them rebuild their life and would be appreciated!

Thank you!

Melissa, Maureen, Steve & Monkey (their dog)