Catholic Charities provides relief to flood victims

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Apr 30, 2026
At left is Claire Ernst’s Lake County home after it was flooded by torrential rains in October 2025. After their evacuation, Catholic Charities of Central Florida assisted the family with basic needs until they could return six weeks later. At right, Claire Ernst and her family are seen back in their home in early 2026. Ernst was pregnant at the time of the flooding. (COURTESY PHOTOS)

ORLANDO  |  On Oct. 26, 2025, torrential rain hit parts of Lake County, washing out roads, houses and infrastructure. As the waters surrounded the Ernst family home, Claire Ernst describes rapid flooding that “left us running up a hill with our toddler in tow during the middle of the night as we watched our property disappear from around our home.” At the time, she was eight months pregnant and living with her husband and their 2-year-old daughter.

Ernst said the experience was overwhelming. “It happened near the holidays and just a few short weeks before the anticipated birth of our second daughter,” Ernst said. “The property damage was extensive, … (and) costs were extensive as the damage was catastrophic.”

The Ernst family reached out to Lake Support and Emergency Recovery (LASER) for help. LASER then contacted Catholic Charities of Central Florida (CCCF) to see if they could assist families affected by the flooding in Lake County.

Giselle Rosario, case manager with CCCF, received photographs and the case information from LASER, and reached out to Ernst.

“I personally met with her to listen to her experience and support her through the emotional hardship of nearly losing her home,” Rosario said.

For Ernst, Rosario’s gentleness made an impact. “Catholic Charities reached out with kindness and we are forever grateful,” she said.

Rosario visited with the family at their temporary rental home. She brought with her diapers for their unborn child from the diaper pantry and items from the food pantry.

In collaboration with LASER, CCCF contributed funds to help the Ernst family return to their home before the birth of their daughter, Remi. Rosario was happy to help facilitate the Ernsts’ return home.

“It was truly a pleasure to be part of helping prepare their home for the holidays and for the birth of their daughter.”

CCCF’s help came at just the right time for the Ernst family.

“Catholic Charities assisted in donating funds to help get our property restored so that we could move home just in time to celebrate Christmas and bring our new baby back to our own home,” Ernst said. “Being out of our home for six weeks was so hard, but we were so grateful for all the support we received. We are forever grateful for the kindness and generosity of Catholic Charities.”

By Lucas Blackwell of the Florida Catholic staff, April 30, 2026