Donna Fagersten had taken refuge at a friend’s home on the top floor as Hurricane Helene tore through northern Florida, leaving a devastating trail of destruction and more than 100 casualties in the southeastern U.S.
As the storm appeared to calm, the 66-year-old teacher, just days away from her retirement, made a fateful choice to return home to rescue her cat.
When Hurricane Helene hit Florida on September 26, 2024, around 11 p.m., the Category 4 storm triggered flash floods, forcing residents to scramble for safety. One of the hardest-hit areas was Pinellas County, particularly in the Tampa Bay region, where at least 11 people lost their lives.
Among the victims was Donna Fagersten, a second-grade teacher from Ponce De Leon Elementary in Pinellas County.
According to her best friend Heather Anne Boles, Donna was set to retire the following week after dedicating 35 years to teaching. When the storm hit, Donna sought shelter with Boles and her partner, Mike Moran. As the storm surge rushed in, they retreated to the third floor of Boles’ mother’s home, across from the beach where Donna lived.
Boles recalled that as the storm seemed to settle, Donna insisted on going home to check on her cat, despite Boles’ pleas to stay. Tragically, another surge and high winds returned, battering the coastline.
A neighbor later came to their shelter, reporting that someone had been found floating in the parking garage. They quickly pulled Donna from the water and began CPR, but despite their efforts and the arrival of fire rescue by boat, they were unable to revive her.
Detectives later confirmed that Donna had drowned in her home, which had been flooded with water.
Family and friends have since remembered Donna as a “beautiful person” who was deeply committed to her students and community. In a Facebook post, Mary Gleason Lyons, a colleague and friend, described Donna as a dedicated teacher with a big heart, touching the lives of many students over her 35-year career.
Online tributes poured in, with former students and friends expressing their sadness at her passing and remembering her kindness and warmth.
While Boles and Moran are now left to clean up after the floods, which destroyed most of their belongings, the loss of their best friend is what hurts the most. “This is the worst we have ever seen,” Boles said, reflecting on the storm’s destruction compared to Hurricane Irma, where they managed to keep their home and belongings intact.
On a positive note, Donna’s cat survived, and her friends are working to find him a new home.
Hurricane Helene, which cut a destructive 800-mile path northward, left more than 2 million homes without power and claimed over 100 lives, according to USA Today.
Son’s Restoration of 45-Year-Old Family Car Melts Hearts, Gets 14M Views
Remember when Tommy surprised his parents by restoring their 45-year-old Ford XA Superbird? Oh, what a moment that was! For us, cars aren’t just metal and engines; they’re memory capsules, taking us back to places we loved and times we cherish. That lime-green Ford Falcon XA Superbird that Tommy’s dad bought in 1973 was more than a car; it was a family member.
Ah, 1973! Disco fever was just starting to catch on, and bell-bottoms were the thing. Can’t you just hear the sizzle of vinyl records as you drop the needle on your favorite album? It was a time when Saturday mornings meant cartoons and sugar-loaded cereal. Imagine Tommy’s dad cruising down Melbourne’s roads with the windows down, the fresh air mingling with the faint scent of leather seats.
Now let’s get cozy and dive into Tommy’s journey. His father bought that Superbird in ’73 as his first car, and it soon became the family’s trusty steed. It took them to school, family events, shopping trips—you name it. Even after an unfortunate tumble into a ditch rendered it unusable, the car sat on their farm, a silent but constant reminder of happier times.
That car was like a playground for young Tommy. One of his favorite memories was sitting on his mom’s lap, hands gripping the large steering wheel as they navigated the lengthy driveway of their farm. The Superbird wasn’t just an object; it was an emotional treasure chest filled with moments like these.
But years flew by like pages of a flipbook, and the Ford XA Superbird sat untouched. Tommy had to wait for the right time and resources to start the restoration, but his devotion never waned. And one day in 2013, Tommy knew that if he didn’t start the project soon, there would be nothing left to restore.
Unlike your typical restorer, Tommy wasn’t an expert mechanic or a detailing whiz. He played the role of the loving son and passionate project manager. Thanks to social media and car forums, he connected with like-minded enthusiasts who helped him source those elusive parts for the car. And after years of meticulous planning and piecing the car back together, the Superbird was reborn.
When his parents saw the restored Ford XA Superbird, their faces lit up like the summer sky on the Fourth of July. It was as if time had folded onto itself, and they were back in their youthful days. No words were needed—the sheer happiness and mutual respect between Tommy and his parents spoke volumes.
If you want to discover more heartwarming tales, check out the video above. It features more unforgettable restoration stories that will flood your senses with beautiful nostalgia. Don’t forget to like and share, because revisiting these cherished memories is what keeps our hearts young.
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