ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, News 6 anchor Matt Austin is leading a crew with one mission on Monday: to solve someone’s problem, hopefully that day!
Meet the Wedgewoods: A family battling storm damage and uncertainty
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Brittany Wedgewood, her husband and their three daughters are currently facing a struggle that’s all too common for families impacted by natural disasters.
Since Hurricane Milton made landfall, the Wedgewood family have been in a state of upheaval, moving from one hotel to another.
The storm’s impact left their family’s mobile home uninhabitable, with leaks in the roof allowing water to seep inside, soaking walls and damaging their living space. The Wedgewoods’ story is one of resilience, hope, and the urgent need for community support. That’s why News 6 is determined to get this family the results they deserve.
A storm’s destruction and a family displaced
The Wedgewood’s journey to stability has not been easy. Two years ago, Brittany and her husband worked hard to save up enough money to buy a mobile home in the Chalet North community of Apopka. Without the burden of a mortgage, they felt a sense of pride in achieving this milestone. However, like many mobile home owners, they did not own the land beneath their home, and they opted to forgo insurance due to their limited budget.
Before Hurricane Milton struck, Orange County firefighters arrived at the Wedgewood home, urging them to evacuate due to the dangerous conditions. With little time to prepare, Brittany and her husband gathered their daughters –ages 2, 12, and 15 – and packed what food they could afford into their car. They headed to an affordable hotel, uncertain of what they would find when they returned.
Days passed, and when they finally received word that their home was still without power and water, they stayed at the hotel longer than planned. When they eventually returned, they found extensive water damage: Leaks in the roof had caused moisture to build up behind the walls, including the bathroom and other rooms. With no power during the storm, the food in their refrigerator spoiled, adding to their list of losses. For Brittany, this scenario felt like a tragic déjà vu; mold and roof leaks were what forced her family out of their previous home.
A waiting game for help
Brittany’s father, a roofing contractor, could have been a lifeline in this situation, but he’s unable to assist because he’s not licensed in Florida. With no insurance coverage for the home, the family reached out to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the hopes of receiving aid. While FEMA responded quickly, Brittany was told that getting a new roof might not be covered, and she now faces an uncertain wait to see what, if any, assistance they will receive.
The complex nature of replacing the roof has made it hard to find contractors who are willing to take on the job, leaving Brittany and her husband in a tough spot. Meanwhile, Matt and his team are assessing the situation and working to find a solution as quickly as possible.
A community rallies together
Amid these challenges, Brittany remains determined to stay positive, even when the burden feels overwhelming. She describes her neighborhood as a supportive place, filled with people who understand the struggles of living paycheck to paycheck. Like many families, the Wedgewoods rely on food stamps to help put meals on the table. The loss of power during the storm meant that much of their perishable food went bad, creating an urgent need for restocking.
Fortunately, there is some relief on the horizon. News 6 has coordinated with Light Orlando, a local community aid group, to schedule a grocery delivery for the Wedgewood family this afternoon, offering a much-needed boost in these difficult times.
The bigger picture
Brittany Wedgewood’s story shows the challenges faced by many families in the wake of Hurricane Milton, especially those living in mobile homes without insurance coverage. The storm’s aftermath has revealed the fragility of the safety nets that are supposed to support families like hers. But mostly, it highlights the importance of community support, from local aid organizations to neighbors willing to lend a hand.
As Brittany and her family wait for updates from FEMA and work with Matt and our team, we will continue to provide real-time updates on our progress to get the Wedgewood family results.
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