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.
I got a fake family engagement ring because my future mother-in-law said I did not “deserve” the real one — I taught her a lesson about respect
Laura’s happiness at becoming engaged to David is clouded when David’s mother tells Laura a startling truth about the family ring during the birthday celebration. Conflict arises from this disclosure, which alters family dynamics.
Laura is not overly thrilled when Belle and David announce their engagement over the celebratory meal. Laura utters a discovery in her toast that totally dispels Belle’s faith in the family ring she was given. Belle tries not to get upset or angry, but her feelings are wounded and deceived by Laura’s open admission.
My future mother-in-law said that I “don’t deserve” the real family engagement ring, so I gave her a fake one instead and taught her a lesson in respect.
As the evening goes on, Belle finds it difficult to set aside her preconceptions about their union and Laura’s dishonesty. David’s apparent ignorance of the significance of the ring makes her doubt Laura’s sincerity even more. Unable to contain her feelings of betrayal, Belle devises a scheme to be honest with Laura. She presents Laura with an appraisal kit, which will show her jewelry collection’s actual value. As Belle’s motives become apparent and the expert’s evaluations advance, David feels Laura’s embarrassment.
Laura truly apologizes after David confronts her about her dishonesty, and they come to a new understanding. Despite the initial conflict, Laura’s attempts to put things right resulted in the reunion of the family and a renewed dedication to transparency and honesty.
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Following the incident, Belle and David reaffirm their love to one another and pledge to prioritize openness and trust in their relationship. Laura’s promises of reconciliation give Belle hope for a future in which family life is governed by integrity and respect.
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