The devastation left behind by a hurricane is a stark reminder of nature’s power and the importance of community. For Maddie and Joe Rosen, residents of Tampa, Florida, this truth hit home twice in a matter of weeks. After enduring the wrath of Hurricane Idalia, just as they were piecing their lives back together, Hurricane Milton delivered another blow.
Imagine returning home after evacuating for a hurricane, only to find your house submerged under three feet of water. The emotional toll is unimaginable. For Maddie and Joe, the sight of their toddler’s overturned crib was particularly heartbreaking.
“Originally, it was definitely very emotional…seeing everything kind of flipped,” Maddie shared, recalling the initial shock. “Like the worst part of that was like our baby crib, you know, just flipped. Um, that was a very emotional week.”
Image of a house damaged after Hurricane Ian with debris everywhere
As the days passed, the Rosens, like many of their neighbors, began the arduous task of cleaning up and salvaging what they could. The outpouring of support from their community provided a much-needed source of strength.
“Our neighborhood has been amazing, everyone is asking who needs help,” Maddie explained. “There were um, neighbors that got food donations so every day that people were cleaning after Hurricane Idalia they had food they asked who needed help, they gathered volunteers.”
The task was made even more daunting by the fact that the floodwaters were contaminated with sewage, making it unsafe to be inside their homes for extended periods.
Just as a glimmer of hope emerged, the news of Hurricane Milton approaching sent shockwaves through the community. The Rosens, already grappling with the aftermath of Idalia, now faced the prospect of further devastation.
“We tried to just stay, well um everything is out of the house, you know, everything that we could possibly save which was not much uh we were able to get out but then uh it didn’t even really cross our minds that the ground could be missing,” Maddie said.
The second hurricane brought with it a new set of challenges, with the potential for flying debris posing a significant threat. Yet, amidst the uncertainty and fear, the Rosens found solace in their community.
“People keep telling us that,” Maddie remarked, reflecting on their resilience. “Um I don’t really know how we are, you know, I guess I’m just super thankful. I could see how much worse, even how worse it is for, you know, how bad it is for us it could be worse for everyone else.”
Their story is a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who have faced unimaginable loss and emerged stronger. It underscores the importance of neighbors helping neighbors, of shared strength and resilience in the face of adversity. While the road to recovery will be long and arduous, the Rosens and their community exemplify the power of the human spirit to overcome even the most challenging circumstances.
