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TOP STORY OF THE DAY - Storm destroys house but not family spirit
Thursday’s severe storm front left one Brazil family without a home.
It’s been a rough year for Teddi and Kyle Jasper and their blended family living in a home on Blaine Street.
The couple have five children under the age of 12.
Teddi is in college studying phlebotomy.
Kyle was self-employed until recently, when a health scare caused one of his lungs to collapse from a spontaneous pneumothorax. He was hospitalized for surgery and out of work for a month.
“We were so grateful the people supported our family during that time,” said Teddi. “We were just getting things back on track again.”
One problem that was bad luck was getting house insurance. Two large trees next to the home had to be removed or topped before insurance would cover their home.
“We didn’t have the money or the resources to do that. We were getting back on our feet and getting our finances in line. Kyle was just back to work, and now this,” said Teddi. “I am a nervous wreck.”
Teddi said she believes God was watching out for her family Thursday, when her amily is always together.
One set of grandparents came Wednesday to take the three girls for an overnight stay, and another family member took the two boys.
Although Teddi had just been to the hospital for a back injury the night before, she was home sleeping Thursday. When their phones announced a severe weather alert, Kyle came home to check on his wife. They decided to check on a family member who had a basement.
While everyone was out of the house, the storm front arrived and toppled the two big trees on their home, destroying the roof. The kitchen area was not damaged, so they could get a few items out of the rest of the house.
Four different agencies said the house was a complete loss.
Then the storms came again on Friday night and Saturday morning, flooding the home and destroying the walls.
“We lost everything,” said Teddi, who admits she feels lost. “We went to my mom’s house during the storm, then came home, and the house was gone. It’s just gone.”
The American Red Cross is helping the family with a hotel room for a night and looking for resources they will need in the future.
“Right now, we need clothes,” said Teddi.
The children need the following sizes;
12- 14 for the two boys
10-12 for two of the girls, and
6/7 girls size for the 8-year-old
MENS size large shirts and size 32/34 pants.
WOMEN’s size large or X-large shirts and size 12-14 pants.
Any donations can be dropped off at 6 East Logan Street, Brazil. If you have any questions, call 812-531-3340 and leave a message.
The goal right now is to clear away the debris, get a camper for the family to live in, and start planning on rebuilding the site.
“We can’t afford to rent a place while paying for our home and rebuilding simultaneously,” Teddi said. “We just don’t have that kind of resources. It all feels so hopeless, but I know through the good grace of God we will rebuild.”