Donna Fagersten had taken refuge at a friend’s home on the top floor as Hurricane Helene tore through northern Florida, leaving a devastating trail of destruction and more than 100 casualties in the southeastern U.S.
As the storm appeared to calm, the 66-year-old teacher, just days away from her retirement, made a fateful choice to return home to rescue her cat.
When Hurricane Helene hit Florida on September 26, 2024, around 11 p.m., the Category 4 storm triggered flash floods, forcing residents to scramble for safety. One of the hardest-hit areas was Pinellas County, particularly in the Tampa Bay region, where at least 11 people lost their lives.
Among the victims was Donna Fagersten, a second-grade teacher from Ponce De Leon Elementary in Pinellas County.
According to her best friend Heather Anne Boles, Donna was set to retire the following week after dedicating 35 years to teaching. When the storm hit, Donna sought shelter with Boles and her partner, Mike Moran. As the storm surge rushed in, they retreated to the third floor of Boles’ mother’s home, across from the beach where Donna lived.
Boles recalled that as the storm seemed to settle, Donna insisted on going home to check on her cat, despite Boles’ pleas to stay. Tragically, another surge and high winds returned, battering the coastline.
A neighbor later came to their shelter, reporting that someone had been found floating in the parking garage. They quickly pulled Donna from the water and began CPR, but despite their efforts and the arrival of fire rescue by boat, they were unable to revive her.
Detectives later confirmed that Donna had drowned in her home, which had been flooded with water.
Family and friends have since remembered Donna as a “beautiful person” who was deeply committed to her students and community. In a Facebook post, Mary Gleason Lyons, a colleague and friend, described Donna as a dedicated teacher with a big heart, touching the lives of many students over her 35-year career.
Online tributes poured in, with former students and friends expressing their sadness at her passing and remembering her kindness and warmth.
While Boles and Moran are now left to clean up after the floods, which destroyed most of their belongings, the loss of their best friend is what hurts the most. “This is the worst we have ever seen,” Boles said, reflecting on the storm’s destruction compared to Hurricane Irma, where they managed to keep their home and belongings intact.
On a positive note, Donna’s cat survived, and her friends are working to find him a new home.
Hurricane Helene, which cut a destructive 800-mile path northward, left more than 2 million homes without power and claimed over 100 lives, according to USA Today.
Elon Musk Dares to Shake Up Television Industry by Acquiring ABC and Dismissing “The View” Cast
Unexpectedly, Elon Musk, the powerful CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has drawn attention from the entertainment industry with a risky and audacious action. After acquiring one of the most well-known television networks, ABC, Musk quickly fired every member of the long-running discussion show “The View” ensemble. Fans and detractors alike are in astonishment over this extraordinary choice that has rocked the business.
Sources close to Musk said that he was frustrated with the show’s lack of creativity and recurring disagreements, which is why he took this audacious action. “I’ve been watching ‘The View’ for years, and it feels like the same tired discussions over and over again,” Musk said in an apparent attempt to vent his irritation. It’s time for a new strategy for daytime talk shows because I’m sick of it.
Prominent figures such as Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, and Meghan McCain were fired, and both supporters and detractors have responded differently to this development. Some were shocked by the abrupt departure of well-liked hosts, while others praised Musk for his audacity in upending the traditional talk show model.
One ecstatic admirer said, “I can’t contain my excitement about Elon Musk shaking up the industry.” “I’m excited to see what he has in store for talk shows; it was high time someone brought some fresh energy to the industry.”
Conversations have been sparked by Musk’s surprising action across a variety of generations, particularly among those who have been disappointed by the decline of daytime television. The rumors and questions about his intentions for ABC and the future of talk programs have only grown stronger due to his image as a trailblazer and visionary.
We eagerly anticipate more statements and updates from the internet tycoon, but one thing is for sure: Elon Musk’s purchase of ABC has ignited a flame of excitement and reignited hopes for a welcome shift in the television industry. Keep checking back for more details on this thrilling adventure!
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