While their area was not directly hit by the storm, floodwaters from overflowed waterways inundated their home, slowly destroying it.
They waited too long to evacuate the neighborhood. All they could think about is how they can get out alive. The couple said they held their children as they waited for rescue.
"Grabe, iba talaga ang feeling na yon, iba talaga pag buhay at kamatayan, survival o kamatayan mo ang nakasalalay... You try to do everything,” said Jed.
(It's a different feeling, when it's a matter of life and death... You try to do everything.)
The floodwater s rose up to chest deep. When they got into the rescue boat, Bell saw that she was bleeding heavily, a complication from the recent caesarian birth of her youngest child.
"Kailangan kong mabuhay dahil ang baby ko. Kailangan kong lumangoy,” she said.
(I have to stay alive for my baby. I have to swim.)
The Destajos have since returned to their home and taken out the flood-damaged furniture. Like 80 percent of Houston’s flood victims, they didn’t have flood insurance.
“2016 and 2017 is the toughest year for us. Hindi po naming alam kung saan kami kukuha ng pang survive namin pang araw-araw. Pero malaki po ang pasasalamat namin sa lahat ng tumulong,“ Bell said.
(We don't know where to get money to survive from day to day. But we are thankful to everyone who helped.)
The Destajos have a Facebook fundraiser page and a GoFundMe where they are accepting donations.
source: news.abs-cbn.com
