Couple from Columbiana County face challenges after hurricane Ian

In Fort Myers, ground zero, it's not only stories of devastation, there are also stories of hope, people helping each other, and a commitment to rebuild.

WFMJ News spoke with a couple originally from Columbiana County.

Brandon Lamoncha and his wife Kristi bought and then renovated their dream home three miles from the beach near a canal in 2016.

After hurricane Ian, they arrived back home to find the trees down, and boats in yards.

Inside their furniture and belongings, had been under water. The storm surge reached 15 feet.

"All of our furniture was displaced, had floated and moved," said Lamoncha.

He says there's been no help from FEMA or the state.

So far it's been an army of church members, family, friends, and their volleyball community helping remove furniture, and tear drywall out so mold doesn't become a problem. Contractors brought containers over for all the destroyed or water-ruined home furnishing.

"Our community is just amazing," Lamoncha added.

Although they pay four thousand dollars a year for flood insurance, and several thousand a year more for homeowners premiums an adjuster told them they're not covered.

"We had the tragedy of seeing our house underwater and doing all that, and then you think you have these insurance policies. We pay $4,000 a year for flood insurance. I think our premium for homeowners is several thousand dollars and now you find out they're only going to cover a small portion. It's not even going to pay our mortgage off, so what do you do?" said Lamoncha

He urges people who live in Florida, Ohio, and other states to really understand their policies and know what is covered and what is not.

"My wife was in tears today when the adjusters came from the homeowners and they said oh no that was all flood and you don't have contents on your flood policy, so we don't cover anything the water touched. It's just devastating.

The couple must still pay the mortgage and find housing during the middle of a rental shortage with a one-bedroom renting for around 1,700 a month. A home equal to the one they have would cost about $5,000 a month there.

For now, it's day by day waiting to see what insurance will cover.

FEMA could red stamp this property and we may not be allowed to rebuild it as it is. We may have to knock it down and pick it up
thirteen feet," Lamoncha said.

He understands some people don't want to leave their homes, but urges people in future storms to leave when the mandatory evacuations are ordered, and for families who can to help elderly parents or relatives and friends or relatives who have disabilities so they can leave even earlier if they live along the coast or areas at risk of flooding.

Although the couple faces loss and challenges ahead, they still love their slice of paradise and community of friends.

They are counting their blessings and hoping, soon they will be able to help others. The couple realizes there are people who lost their businesses and homes or lost loved ones they treasure.

"Every day I see Chinook, Black Hawk helicopters, and the Army Reserve going to find people. You know as bad as we have it we're praying and wishing the best for those families because they lost more," emphasized Brandon Lamoncha.

The couple's friends have started a GoFundMe site to help them.