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.
Katy Perry Left Little to the Imagination in a Unique Dress That Had People Buzzing
Katy Perry stunned onlookers as she walked the runway for Vogue World: Paris. However, her dress, comprised of geometric figures that left the singer half-naked, sparked comments online.
The “California Gurls”singer, now 39, made a stunning entrance in Place Vendôme, the iconic Parisian plaza, donning an archival Noir Kei Ninomiya dress adorned with geometric shapes and tulle floral embellishments on the skirt. This barely-there garment showcased plenty of Perry’s skin, but she exuded confidence and elegance as she walked around the plaza for the VIP guests in attendance.
Perry, who took everyone by surprise — including viewers watching the livestream hosted by Cara Delevingne — wore her dark hair slicked back, accentuating her striking features. Her makeup was a harmonious blend of rosy lip color and matching eyeshadow, and her look was completed with edgy lace-up boots.
Katy Perry’s walk was a highlight of the 1980s segment, which paid homage to martial arts. This year’s Vogue World event celebrated the intersection of fashion and sports, with each decade from the 1920s onward spotlighting a different sport. The show prominently featured both contemporary and historic French designers and fashion houses, emphasizing Paris’s pivotal role in the fashion world.
The event was a spectacular showcase with over 500 athletes, performers, surprise guests, and models participating. It seamlessly blended the vibrancy of sports with the elegance of fashion, creating a dynamic and memorable experience.
Videos of her runway walk were published on several fashion-focused social media channels. Opinions about her look flooded the comment sections. Most people complimented the dress on her, leaving comments like, “Katy Perry’s ability to pull off so many things is my favorite part,” and “It suits her perfectly.” But one detail that stood out was the apparent lack of plastic surgery on her body, which resulted in one commenter writing, “A natural woman. Love it.”
Katy Perry’s dazzling appearance at Vogue World: Paris is just one example of how fashion and entertainment continually intersect to create unforgettable moments. With her striking presence and fashion-forward choice, Perry once again proved why she remains a beloved icon in the industry.
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