From a Leaky Roof to Lasting Resilience: One Year After Hurricane Milton

For over 30 years, Angela Bristol’s home in Daytona Beach, Florida has been an anchor for her family. Her home is the place where her daughter grew up and where children and grandchildren still gather on weekends. 

But hurricanes jeopardized that sense of stability. When Hurricane Ian struck Southwest Florida in September 2022 as a Category 4 storm, it left a trail of destruction across the state. It damaged Angela’s home, causing flooding in the yard and garage. Winds from the storm left downed tree limbs scattered across Angela’s property. Shingles were lifted from her roof, but the house was still habitable.

On October 9, 2024,  Hurricane Milton made landfall along Florida’s west coast and then moved eastward across the state, triggering tornadoes, hurricane-force winds, and heavy rain. The storm hit Angela’s home, damaging her roof and flooding her floors, carpet, and belongings. She had to manage a long cleanup process to clear debris and fallen branches, and remove household items that could not be salvaged.

Even so, Angela didn’t leave her home. 

What weighed on her most was the roof. After Hurricane Ian, she lived with leaks for two years, dreading every potential new storm. “Every time it rained, I would pray it wouldn’t come through,” Angela said. 

A Storm-Resilient Roof and Peace of Mind

After Hurricane Milton, Angela heard about SBP’s home rebuilding program in her community through a coworker. At first, she didn’t believe it. “Nothing’s free these days,” she said. But when she called SBP, our Florida-based team told her they would help her rebuild her home and install a new storm-resilient roof—at no cost.

Through our direct recovery services, SBP repairs and rebuilds homes for uninsured or under-insured homeowners affected by disasters. Powered by the efforts of SBP’s AmeriCorps members, volunteers, and the generous support of our donors, the program enables families to rebuild, recover, and return home. SBP renovated Angela’s home in just 30 days, using IBHS FORTIFIED construction standards to install a new storm-resilient roof that will withstand extreme weather.

The result was life-changing for Angela. “It’s very comfortable knowing that you have a roof on your house,” she said. “It takes the stress off when you see the storm clouds. Now I say, ‘That’s all right, I’ve got a brand-new roof.’”

Angela expressed particular gratitude for the guidance and support she received from SBP Case Manager Jennifer LaConte, who helped her navigate the rebuilding process. “Jennifer is the most caring person, easy to talk to, and very knowledgeable,” she said. 

Today, Angela is back home and still working in her community as a school bus attendant. She sees this year — with the gift of a more resilient home — as a season of blessings.

“The Lord has always blessed me,” she said, “but this year, He’s showing it even more.”

Read SBP’s Hurricane Helene and Milton One-Year Impact Update