Rosa Rivera came home from getting a haircut at church last month when a utility worker stopped her outside with devastating news. Her Fort Pierce home was on fire after being struck by lightning. St. Lucie County District Firefighters responded to extinguish the flames, but the damage had already been done.
Rivera lost clothes, furniture, and irreplaceable personal belongings including photographs of her late son who passed away three years ago. The displaced resident is now staying at her nephew's home while she tries to rebuild. Rivera is uninsured and was recovering from neck fusion surgery the same week she lost her home, making the situation especially difficult for the disabled woman.
A memorial outside the damaged home remains one of the few things Rivera has that cannot be replaced. Despite the overwhelming loss, Rivera expressed gratitude that she was not inside when the fire broke out. A GoFundMe has been set up to help Rivera rebuild her life after the disaster.