PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — A Pasco family with ties to the Bahamas has opened their home to 17 people who lost their homes in the islands to Hurricane Dorian.
- Rebekah Tedeschi grew up in the Abaco Islands, still had family there
- Tedeschi's relatives OK, home, possessions destroyed
- Tedeschi now trying to help others as well has her family members
- More Good News stories
Rebekah Tedeschi grew up in the Bahamas, specifically the Abaco Islands, which were hit hardest by Dorian.
"Everyone I’ve grown up with has lost everything," Tedeschi said.
As Dorian slammed the islands for days, she had no idea if her family was OK. The images she saw during that period of time weren’t good.
"Everything I knew is gone. Boats thrown up like they were toys. I’m just watching this thinking I don’t even know how my family is going to survive this," Tedeschi said.
Finally, she got the word that they had survived, and they were able to catch a flight to Florida. But their pictures showed everything was gone.
Now, like many families affected by Dorian, Tedeschi has opened her home to those fleeing the destruction, and more may be on the way.
"The burden of having those extra people is nothing compared to the relief of having them here," Tedeschi said.
Her husband Robert is also in the thick of things. He is a Pasco County Sheriff's Deputy and has been helping to deliver relief supplies to the Bahamas.
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is helping those victims and Rebekah’s family as much as they can as they get through this difficult time.
"It’s hard to believe the islands are going to come back," Tedeschi said. "It’s just been devastated. We know that the Bahamian people are strong and resilient and will do what they can."
If you’d like to help this family, they have a GoFundMe they are using to help the storm victims. Visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/tedeschi-family-abaco-evacuation.
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