Heartfelt and Important Information From Someone Who Knows About Cortez, Florida
Rose Lipke is part of the heart and soul of Cortez, Florida. She posted this story on Facebook, and we wanted to get the word out to the rest of the world. Thank you, Rosie.
I want to thank everyone who have been the boots on the ground, getting down and dirty helping dig out our little village. There’s simply too many of you to tag, so I’m not going to try. You know who you are. Thank you to everyone bringing food, drinks, water, and supplies, you are vital to this process, and everyone is overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank you to the network of door-to-door laundry volunteers that literally came together in the past few days, just amazing.
It’s overwhelming the outpouring of love and help that is coming, and it’s appreciated, but please be thoughtful in your giving. No one needs the fondue pot you’re tired of tripping over or grandpa’s golf clubs (two real offers I have gotten from strangers in the past 3 days…no shit)
That said, there are phases to this whole process that may help guide what is needed and when.
Everyone is at a different part of the process for many reasons. It will take time. Please be patient, understanding and most of all thoughtful in your desire to help. Everyone is still shocked and grieving, exhausted, stressed out and overwhelmed.
There are phases of this and there’s no way around that.
First is clean out and clean up. That’s where most people are at now/still. This is dragging everything to the curb. Clearing debris from yards. It’s hauling waterlogged bedding and clothes to the laundry mat and washing them. This is getting the residual water out, out of the house along with the mud, seaweed, and debris. It’s hard fucking work, physically and emotionally…trust me, especially when there’s no respite from the heat.
Then you have to dry out, which requires power, fans, air conditioning and other methods of removing water and humidity. Not everyone has reliable power or the equipment to do that. We have a network of fans being distributed. If you have one you don’t need anymore, spread the love to someone who doesn’t. Same goes for generators as power comes back up.
Phase 3 is repairs and mold mitigation. I’ve seen buckled floors, puckering drywall, warping cabinetry. It all has to be ripped out and replaced. That takes time, but hopefully before mold has a chance to get a toe in the door. This is expensive. Some can do it themselves (especially in Cortez) Some have to hire someone, and others won’t simply because they can’t do it or afford to hire someone either. In their world…Drying out will have to suffice. If you have these skills to offer that last group (mostly our seniors on fixed incomes, and a tad stubborn to boot) let me know and I’ll get you in touch. Thanks in advance for that by the way.
After all that happens, life can start to be put back together, that’s replacing furniture, moving back in and settling back into life. I have a list going of several families’ needs and who has it to give. If you are in need, let me know…if you have items to donate, also let me know. For those wanting to donate items…Please be patient and hang on to things until they can actually take them and know it may be a while. There is a whole network of neighbors working together to get everyone everything they need. Specific requests are starting to trickle in, and we are working hard to match donors with recipients and arrange pickup and delivery. Please be patient.
The huge one coming up is appliances. They ALL got fried unless it was one of the few multi story homes. Refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers, dishwashers. If you have a spare fridge you can part with (say a garage or porch fridge) let me know and I can arrange pickup when the time comes for people who need it. Not many people in Cortez have the means to just run out and purchase all new appliances. If you don’t have one to donate, consider donating cash to individuals in need. DM me for the Venmo, Zelle and PayPals of residents so you can send gifts directly and they can go purchase these items when they are ready for them.
I’ve cried more tears of both deep loss and sheer gratitude, in the past however many days it’s been than I have in the last 20 years. This has been a heartbreaking and humbling experience for us all.
My hope for you all is this…. In the middle of all this tragedy and grief, I hope you can see the beauty that is the Finest Kind. It truly takes a village. I freaking love you all so much.