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.
NBA player R.J. Hampton has confessed in a new video that he hurt the mother of his child, leaving bruises. This admission has come as a big shock to many.
NBA G League player R.J. Hampton admitted on video that he left “bruises” on his ex, Tiffany Jeffcoat, who is the mother of his child.
On Monday, Jeffcoat, who has over 1.5 million followers on TikTok, posted a video of herself confronting Hampton. She said he was trying to take their 1-year-old son, Halo, from her while they were traveling.
In the video, Hampton can be heard yelling at Jeffcoat, saying, “Shut the f–k up talking to me, b–ch! Please!” as their son climbed near his feet. Hampton also said, “I don’t care if you got me on recording. I could care less.”
On Monday, the influencer shared a video of herself confronting the NBA first-round draft pick, claiming he was trying to “take” away their 1-year-old son, Halo.
tiff.jeffcoat/TikTok
Hampton, 23, said he was “afraid” Jeffcoat would accuse him of abusing her when he took their son.
Jeffcoat responded by reminding him that he had hurt her before. Hampton, who is 6-foot-4, got angry and told her, “Get the f–k outta here with that stupid stuff.”
She then reminded him that she has pictures of the bruises he allegedly left on her arms. Hampton seemed unbothered, saying no one would “care.”
Jeffcoat told him, “But they came from your hands.” Hampton responded, “Of course they did. Did I punch you? Did I slap you? So shut the f–k up!”
tiff.jeffcoat/TikTok
tiff.jeffcoat/TikTok
Jeffcoat replied, “Just because you didn’t punch me doesn’t mean it’s okay. Wow.”
Hampton also insulted her mom, saying he didn’t care if his son’s grandmother was “dead or alive.”
In another TikTok video, Jeffcoat said she was “stranded” in Oklahoma with “no hotel, no car” and claimed Hampton took their son from her.
She said, “R.J. literally grabbed Halo off the ground, walked out, got in the car, and left. He didn’t tell me where they were going… didn’t take any of his stuff. He’s not allowed to do that.”
tiff.jeffcoat/TikTok
tiff.jeffcoat/TikTok
Jeffcoat said she called the police, but they couldn’t help because it was “a civil matter.”
Page Six tried to contact Hampton’s representative for a comment but didn’t get a response right away.
Not much is known about Hampton’s relationship with Jeffcoat.
After Jeffcoat’s video went viral, Hampton turned off the comments on his Instagram.
tiff.jeffcoat/TikTok
rj14/Instagram
Hampton was picked by the Milwaukee Bucks as the 24th pick in the 2020 NBA draft.
In September, he was traded to the Delaware Blue Coats, a team in the NBA’s G League.
In August, Hampton celebrated his son’s first birthday with a sweet post on Instagram.
He wrote, “Mr. Freaking Halo Man!! Bubs I can’t believe you are 1 year old Daddy wants you to stay little forever and ever!!” and shared a bunch of pictures of him with his son.
rj14/Instagram
NBAE via Getty Images
NBAE via Getty Images
Hampton wrote, “Honestly, buddy, you are the greatest blessing God ever gave me. You’ve taught me so much about who I am and who I want to be for you! ”
He said he would always be there for Halo and would “continue to set a great example for you and work hard every day to give you everything you deserve, and that’s the world!!”
He finished with, “You are my heartbeat, I can’t imagine life without you, and life before you doesn’t matter anymore. Me and you, little man!! The legacy continues, and I can’t wait for you to have the best day. Happy 1st birthday, Halo. I love you forever
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