Please Help Lauren & Cory Recover from Flood Damage

UPDATE: 10/12/24

After Milton Lauren and Cory were able to make it back to their apartment to see what could still be saved, but the mold and mildew make it difficult for them to spend more than 10-15 minutes in the apartment. Lauren has developed some lung issues from trying to live in that apartment after Helene, inhaling the mildewed air while attempting to clean and rescue what they can.

They have packed up everything they can save, and everything they think they might be able to dry out and rescue. Journals, photo albums, and clothes, but their most of their furniture and electronics are a total loss, and it’s become obvious that they cannot stay there.

Unfortunately, most of their family and friends in Florida have also been hit by the hurricane in some way or are otherwise unable to let them stay while they figure things out. Their lease only ties them to an unlivable apartment, and with another hurricane forming in the gulf they have some difficult decisions to make. Right now, it looks like leaving Florida to reach out-of-state family members might be their best option.

They still don’t have a working car, so they will need to rent one. Hopefully, once they arrive, they will have the peace and safety needed to get settled, replace some essentials they lost, and look at putting a deposit down on a new place.

I can’t even imagine how hard this is, and I’m heartbroken this is happening to my little sister. There are so many logistics to deal with, and she’s sick on top of it. Without a washing machine, how do you get mold out of clothes before packing them? They need to replace dog food because they found mold in that too. Their landlord is not being helpful at all, so they might have to leave before their lease issue is fully resolved. Absolutely everything is a problem right now, and in the midst of it, you are finding your photos, keepsakes, and journals trashed. Anniversary gifts they’ve treasured for years. All gone.

To everyone who has already donated, thank you so much! Your generosity has made a real difference in helping Lauren and Cory get through this incredibly challenging time. Everything they’re trying to do—renting a car, replacing essential items, and finding new housing—adds up quickly. The money raised so far has been so helpful, but in the end, they are still coming up short. They’re facing a long road ahead, and they need all the support they can get. If you’re able to contribute, even a small amount, it will go directly toward helping them rebuild their lives, secure safe housing, and replace what they’ve lost. Even the smallest amount can help make a big impact on their journey forward.

UPDATE: 10/5/24

Thank you so much to everyone that has donated so far. They were able to get themselves and the dog out of the way before Hurricane Milton made landfall. Hopefully the flooding won't be as widespread this time and they'll be able to get back in the next couple of days to determine what (if anything) can be saved

My sister Lauren and her husband Cory have been hit hard by flooding from 2 hurricanes in the past 2 months, and they need help getting back on their feet.

What Happened:

During Hurricane Debby on August 4th, my sister Lauren was out helping family members when she was caught in a flash flood. Their only car was submerged in 3-4 feet of water.

Fortunately, no one was hurt, and she was able to drive home, but the car stalled out on their next trip and did not come back on. Mechanics have told them it is a total loss and advised them to find something else.

They started using Uber and Lyft daily to get to and from work, and it has quickly become a huge expense. While still trying to resolve everything with their car, Hurricane Helene rolled through Florida on Sept. 26th, flooding their small apartment with 3 feet of water. Most of their possessions were destroyed, either by water damage or due to the mold and mildew quickly spreading among everything. To make matters worse their landlord has been resistant to addressing the damage, leaving them stuck in a barely livable apartment.

They are doing what they can to keep going, but the financial strain is enormous. Between replacing essentials, paying for ride-shares every day, and living in a damaged apartment, they are in a very tough spot.

We are hoping to raise enough money to help with:

• Getting a reliable car – insurance will cover some of the car’s value, but if they had another $1,500 they can be sure to find something they can depend on.

• Replacing the essentials they lost in the flood - $5,000 will go to replacing their bed, couch, coffee table, clothes, cleaning supplies, and various electronics damaged in the flood.

• Covering possible temporary housing costs if the apartment continues to deteriorate. – With their apartment continuing to develop mold and mildew, and the kitchen appliances malfunctioning in concerning ways, it is becoming more and more likely that they will either have to find a new place or at least stay somewhere else until their unit can be made habitable again. $3,000 will go towards a deposit on a new lease, an Airbnb, or a hotel depending on their needs in the next couple of weeks.

Lauren and Cory are two of the most committed, resourceful people I know. I have seen them make impossible situations work time and time again, but this time they have hit a new level of impossible, and they will need all the help they can get to come back from this.

If you have read this far, thank you, and if you are able to donate, anything would be appreciated. Every little bit helps, and any contribution—no matter how small—will make a huge difference in helping them recover from this. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing their story to help spread the word!

Thank you for your time and for any help you can give!

Ashley Adams - Lauren's sister

Raising money for Lauren and Cory from Washington State