Florida Catholic | Flooding turns 'helper' into receiver of help

Flooding turns ‘helper’ into receiver of help

LAURA DODSON | FLORIDA CATHOLIC STAFF

Published: 08.27.08

AMANDA STRATFORD | FLORIDA TODAY
Ramona Bernard, left, prepares to leave her flooded home Aug. 20 as Laura Coffey, Nicole Morahan, and Brenda Morahan help ferry her belongings across the street in a canoe. She had two bags of clothing and possessions that she was unable to take with her until three strangers in a canoe appeared.

MELBOURNE | In the aftermath of the 2004 hurricane season, Ramona Bernard gladly signed up to be a Hurricane Helper for a buddy, another Ascension parishioner in Melbourne, who indicated he might need assistance in the event of a hurricane. As Tropical Storm Fay approached, Bernard checked with her buddy to ensure he was prepared and then again that he was OK and didn’t have any needs following the storm. But, as Fay continued to dump more and more inches of rain in Melbourne, Bernard the helper became the one receiving help.

News reports of flooding in Bernard’s subdivision brought multiple calls offering help: from the Hurricane Helpers ministry, from fellow Sunday evening Mass attendees, from friends and neighbors and from people Bernard didn’t even know.

“God was everywhere,” Bernard said. “There were constant little signs that said don’t worry. I didn’t get any animals coming out of the woodwork, but I did get lots of friends.”

As of Tuesday, Aug. 26, the carpet has been removed, the wallboards have had holes punched in them so air could penetrate and help them dry. The repairperson — who had originally been unable to come until the next week because of another job — had a postponement of the job so he has begun work to restore her home. Bernard now has affordable flood insurance that will help in case of a future flood — it becomes effective in 30 days.

“One gentle, wonderful reminder of God’s presence was a beautiful butterfly that suddenly appeared in the garage as I was sweating through the process of sorting through all my water–damaged stuff. I had completed a jigsaw puzzle of butterflies that was so pretty, I intended to frame it, but it got soaked. As I reached to put it into the garbage, there was the live butterfly — even more beautiful — the most beautiful butterfly I have ever seen.”

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