Elderly Couple Fear They Won’t Survive Hurricane Ian, Mom Sends Farewell Message to Daughter

When the raging Hurricane Ian flooded their home, an elderly couple began fearing for their lives. They tried steering clear of the rising waters, but all their efforts were in vain. Thinking it might be their final moments, the woman wrote a farewell message to her daughter.

Life is a precious gift that should never be taken for granted. It’s a beautiful journey that blesses us with priceless moments and lovely people, making us feel special and loved. But the undeniable truth about life is that it comes with no guarantees and can end at any time.

Still, despite this chilling reality, everyone wants to make the most of their time on earth and cherish their beloveds. Imagine the irony of being in a situation where you’re surrounded by fear, chaos, and disarray, not knowing what the next minute will bring. A similar scenario played out in today’s story.

Expecting the Unexpected

With the onset of the fall season in the U.S., the locals have finally bid farewell to the summers. While many looked forward to celebrating autumn and preparing for Halloween, the last thing on their minds was knowing how to handle a horrific hurricane.

As time passed, the Donalds became even more uncertain of their survival.

Hurricane Ian’s Destruction

On Wednesday, September 28, 2022, Floridians were ambushed by the raging Ian, which made its first landfall on Florida’s west coast as a Category four hurricane. With gusty winds crossing 150 mph, hundreds of lives were upended, with homes inundated and entire neighborhoods submerged.

The aftermath of the monster storm reportedly left over 1.05 million people without power on October 1. Many struggled to get to their homes or find shelters amid the raging storm.

The Donalds

An older couple in Fort Myers, Florida, found themselves in a quandary when Ian shook their world most unexpectedly. The Donalds could have never thought that a massive storm would ruin everything they had spent years building, from their furniture and home to their lives.

On the night of Wednesday, September 28, Cecilia Donald’s house was flooded to the point that she and her husband thought they wouldn’t make it out alive. She recalled:

“We got on the counter at first and then I told my husband, ‘I think we’re going to drown.'”

Cecilia Donald reflects on the deadly Hurricane Ian that destroyed her home. | Source: YouTube.com/CBS Evening News

Fearing for Their Lives

As time passed, the Donalds became even more uncertain of their survival. Cecilia noted that she and her husband decided to tie themselves together so the rising waters wouldn’t wash them away. Sadly, they failed to find a rope.

Not knowing if they would live to see another day, Cecilia decided to write a final message to her beloved daughter. When her daughter received the message, she feared for her parents’ lives.

Cecilia Donald and her daughter share their thoughts with a CBS News Correspondent. | Source: YouTube.com/CBS Evening News

Surviving the Worst

After Hurricane Ian passed, Cecilia met her daughter on Thursday, September 29. The mother-daughter duo wrapped their arms around each other, grateful to have survived the worst. The elderly couple’s daughter recounted:

“The last message I got from her was that the water was waist high and she didn’t know if they were going to make it.”

Many other people in the neighborhood shared harrowing stories of their survival. Another man, Spencer Mumme, revealed that the water inundated his house and that the attic was the only place he and his family could take refuge.

: yCecilia Donald and her daughter share an emotional hug. | Source: YouTube.com/CBS Evening News

The Aftermath

As Hurricane Ian raged and battered large areas of Florida, search and rescue efforts were expedited to help as many people as possible. When Ian and its remnants moved north, over 56,000 people in North Carolina and more than 17,000 in Virginia experienced power outages.

According to the local officials, at least 72 casualties were reported in Florida, with many people stuck in the deadly floodwaters. Most fatalities were recorded in Lee County, Fort Myers, where at least 35 people lost their lives.

Stepping up to Help

After wreaking havoc on Floridians, Ian was expected to decrease in intensity, with tropical storm alerts in Florida and North Carolina.

Several people were said to have experienced massive destruction when the rising waters flooded their homes, turning everything topsy-turvy. Community members were seen helping each other in heartwarming videos making rounds on the internet.

Our thoughts, prayers, and best wishes are with the people of Florida and all those who continue to face the aftermath of the horrific storm. May we all wake up to blue skies and be surrounded by peace and prosperity.