For Jesse Waltrip and his family in Zephyrhills, Florida, life after Hurricane Milton has been a relentless struggle. Months after the devastating storm, they find themselves living in tents on their front lawn, awaiting help from FEMA that seems endlessly delayed.

“It’s hard to hold on to hope when you’re camping outside in the cold,” Waltrip said. “You have to give people more answers than just, ‘There’s nothing we can do about it.’ That’s not hope.”

A Night to Remember, A Life Turned Upside Down

The night Hurricane Milton tore through Pasco County was one Waltrip will never forget.

“My wife and I hugged and braced each other,” he recalled. “We texted our kids, telling them we loved them and missed them because we weren’t sure we’d survive.”

The storm left a path of destruction unlike anything Waltrip had seen in his 27 years of living in the home.

“It was like something out of a movie,” he said. “The wind was howling, the rain was pouring, and trees were falling everywhere.”

The aftermath left Waltrip’s home uninhabitable, plagued by black mold and structural damage. With no other options, he, his wife, and their two daughters have been sleeping in tents ever since.

“I used all my savings—everything I had saved for two years—to make this situation livable,” he said. “I built a portable shower and bought a tankless water heater, but it’s not enough.”

A Frustrating Wait for FEMA

FEMA sent an inspector to assess the damage shortly after the storm, but the presence of standing water in the home prevented a complete evaluation. The inspector promised to return, but Waltrip says that follow-up never happened.

“Every time I call FEMA, they tell me, ‘It’s in the hands of the inspector,’” he explained. “But when I ask if they’ve contacted the inspector, they say they can’t.”

FEMA responded with a statement explaining their process:

“We appreciate you bringing this to our attention. We have forwarded this message internally. However, we highly recommend the applicant continue to call us at 800-621-3362. Although we are unable to discuss specific cases due to privacy laws, we encourage applicants to provide information through a disaster account, by fax, or at a Disaster Recovery Center. For more information, visit FEMA’s website.”

Despite FEMA’s recommendations, Waltrip remains frustrated.

“We’ve done everything they asked,” he said. “We’ve sent pictures, gotten estimates, and done half the job for them. All they need to do is send an inspector back out.”

Seeking Answers and Results

Feeling unheard and unsupported, Waltrip turned to the media for help.

“That’s why I reached out to 8 On Your Side,” he said. “I watch them religiously, and they get results. That’s what we need—not just us, but everyone in this situation. People need results.”

In response, FEMA has confirmed that Waltrip’s information has been sent to their case management team for review.

A Community in Need

Waltrip’s story is one of resilience, but also a stark reminder of the challenges many Floridians face in the aftermath of natural disasters. His plea is simple: to be treated with dignity and urgency by the very systems designed to help in times of crisis.

“This isn’t just about me,” he said. “It’s about giving people hope—real hope that they matter and that help is on the way.”

Want to win a $25 Amazon gift card? 

To enter, simply follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, or X between now and Tuesday, December 24th. (Psst… You can enter up to 4x by following us on all four! But sorry, U.S. residents only.)

(Image credit: WFLA)