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.
Taylor Swift’s Freckled Makeup at Kansas City Chiefs Game Is Under Discussion: Too ‘Mature’ ‘Fillers’
Taylor Swift’s recent makeup at a football game has caught a lot of attention. Some fans loved it, while others were more critical. The star sported a sparkling look with glittery freckles during a Kansas City Chiefs game. The freckle patches, created by beauty brand Fazit, stood out and sparked online reactions.
**Fans Have Mixed Reactions**
Swift was attending the Chiefs’ game against the New Orleans Saints in a plaid dress and black boots, but it was her unique makeup that people noticed. Some fans thought the glitter freckles were too youthful for a woman of her age. One Instagram user questioned, “Is she 15?” while another said, “You can wear that at 65. Age is just a number!” But others agreed with the critics, saying Swift might be too old for this style.
Another user on X said, “She’s in her mid-thirties. Why is she wearing face glitter?” Some also wondered if Swift had undergone cosmetic procedures like Botox or fillers.
**Some Fans Loved the Look**
Despite the criticism, many fans thought Swift looked amazing. One fan wrote, “Love her sparkle face,” while another gushed, “Taylor looks stunningly beautiful.” The co-owner of Fazit, Aliett Buttelman, also praised Swift’s makeup. She shared her excitement on Instagram, saying, “Is life real?! I just stopped sobbing!” She even posted a close-up video of Swift wearing the glitter freckles.
**Jason Kelce Comments on Swift’s Look**
Jason Kelce, the brother of Swift’s boyfriend, also noticed her appearance. During an ESPN broadcast, Kelce mentioned Swift’s makeup, saying, “Hey, look at that now. She’s got the part on right there. That looks good.”
**Not the First Time Swift Has Sparked Reactions**
This isn’t the first time Swift has sparked debate about her style. Earlier in September 2024, she wore a denim corset top with red boots to a Chiefs game, which led to a lot of online discussion. Some fans questioned whether she was pregnant, while others criticized her outfit. However, some fans defended Swift, saying she looked better with a bit of extra weight.
**Swift Enjoyed the Game**
Throughout the game, Swift seemed to have a great time. She sat in Travis Kelce’s luxury suite with his family and was seen cheering passionately for him. After the game, Swift and Kelce left the stadium together, looking happy and in love as they walked hand-in-hand.
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