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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A St. Petersburg resident is on the path to recovery after her home suffered extensive damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.
Two years later, a team of dedicated volunteers is transforming her property with fresh paint, new landscaping, and much-needed repairs to restore her home to its former glory.
For Andrea Destowet, owning a home in St. Petersburg symbolized security and a sanctuary for her family. That sense of stability was shattered in 2024 when the devastating hurricanes wreaked havoc on her property.
“I stayed put during the hurricane; I don’t evacuate,” Destowet explained. “But the powerful winds tore off the shingles and my roof, allowing water to pour in and eventually causing my ceiling to collapse.”
After enduring months of uncertainty, Andrea received a lifeline when Rebuilding Together Greater Florida, with assistance from Progressive Insurance, stepped in to help rebuild her home.
“Back in February, we replaced some drywall and we replaced the floors,” said Lance Lee, Vice President of Operations for Rebuilding Together Greater Florida. “Her door frames were flooded; there was a lot of flood damage.”
Now today, volunteers are finishing the final phase, with exterior improvements designed to make the home safer and welcoming again.
“Where you live is where your peace is, and she deserves to feel peaceful after she’s been through with the storms,” said Lee.
“They have made my life so much easier,” Destowet said. “I’m looking forward to coming home and not looking at my house needing to be fixed and questioning when I am going to be able to get it done.”
Destowet said this is about more than the repairs. It’s about a new beginning.