When Hurricane Ian devastated Florida in 2022, thousands of families were forced to leave behind everything they owned. Isabel Guzman was one of them.
As Hurricane Ian intensified, Isabel was preparing for bed when an emergency alert interrupted her evening. She and her roommate had just 20 minutes to evacuate their home before the weather conditions became too dangerous.
As they gathered a few belongings and rushed to leave, the storm intensified around them.
“I heard glass breaking. The electric box in the backyard was smoking,” Isabel recalled. “You heard power lines sparking, and everything was just going crazy.”
The pair evacuated to New York, where they remained for a week. When they arrived home, they found widespread destruction. Fallen trees and debris covered the property, and nearly four feet of water remained inside their home.
Unsure where to go next, Isabel asked a neighbor for help. She was directed to an American Red Cross shelter at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach.
“They took me in. My car was a mess. I was muddy. I had nothing—absolutely nothing,” she said. “They gave me an air mattress, food and a warm shower. And it was the first responders who basically saved my life.”
Red Cross Volunteers Collen and Bert were an integral part of Isabel’s recovery process
At the shelter, Isabel met Red Cross volunteers Colleen and Bert, whose kindness left a lasting impression. They quickly became an integral part of her recovery, providing not only practical assistance but also compassionate support during one of the most difficult times in her life. Together, they helped Isabel sift through the wreckage of her home, recovering priceless keepsakes and irreplaceable mementos that had survived the storm. Their compassion and dedication gave Isabel hope that, even amid unimaginable loss, not everything had been taken away.
“It was my first deployment with the Red Cross,” said Colorado volunteer Colleen. “I had this feeling like I was there for a reason, and Isabel was the reason I was there.”
Following Hurricane Ian, hundreds of American Red Cross volunteers and employees from across the country deployed to support communities in Daytona Beach and throughout Southwest Florida. They provided emergency shelter, meals, relief supplies, emotional support, health services and financial assistance to help families begin their recovery.
“The American Red Cross is so well organized and equipped with volunteers who honestly care,” Isabel said.
Recovery, however, did not end when Isabel left the shelter. Along with financial assistance, Red Cross shelter teams continued working with her through case management and follow-up services as she searched for permanent housing.
That support ultimately connected Isabel with Transform386, a Volusia County homeowner recovery program that helps residents rebuild after Hurricanes Ian and Milton. Through the program, Isabel received a new mobile home, giving her a safe place to start over.
Today, Isabel’s story is a reminder that disaster recovery is about more than meeting immediate needs. With the support of compassionate volunteers, community partners and long-term recovery programs, families can begin rebuilding not only their homes, but also their futures.
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