PORT ORANGE, Fla. – A 28-year-old veteran and single father is grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, which flooded his recently purchased Port Orange home.
Austin Howells, who just closed on the house last month, said he discovered a crucial fact about the property only a couple of weeks before the storm.
It had a history of flooding.
“They fixed the home after Hurricane Ian and put it out on the market,” Howells said. “Unfortunately, in that seller disclosure, they lied in there and said the home has no outside water intrusion.”
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Howells said he noticed water seeping through the walls just hours after the hurricane made landfall.
By the end of the day, 10 inches of water filled his home, destroying vinyl flooring, appliances, furniture, and cherished family mementos.
Howells, a father to 6-year-old Maverick, said one of his main reasons for purchasing the home was for his son.
“I was excited for him to be able to have his own room,” he explained. “I had big aspirations for this home to revamp it and build it up to how I like.”
Neighbors informed Howells of the area’s history with flooding, news that came too late.
“My heart sunk to my stomach the moment my neighbors actually told me about the true history of this neighborhood, that it has flood history,” he said. “I was sick.”
He quickly secured flood insurance, but it went into effect just two days after the hurricane. “I’d say it’s one of the most unfortunate timings I could’ve probably ever fallen into,” he said.
Howells now faces an estimated $60,000 in repair costs.
The state of Florida’s flood disclosure law, which went into effect Oct. 1, requires sellers to inform buyers of flood history before a contract is signed.
Howells bought his home on Sept. 12 though.
“I feel like this is so unfair to me that this is my first time homebuying experience,” he said.
If you’d like to support Austin Howells in his recovery, you can donate HERE.
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