CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — A single mother of three in Crystal River says she is still picking up the pieces after a tornado damaged her home last week.


What You Need To Know

  • Picking up after an EF-2 tornado has been a struggle for one single mom in Crystal River

  • Faith Rodgers has been able to pick up some pieces after the tornado, but large branches and knocked down trees remain on her property

  • The damage has been such a financial struggle for Rodgers that she's had to postpone her 4-year-old’s birthday party and worries about the holiday’s coming up

Faith Rodgers says this was her first time experiencing storm damage, and that getting her life back on track has taken longer than anticipated.

“I came out at 2:30 in the morning and I saw this outside on the ground,” she said.

Outside her Crystal River home, Rodgers takes a look around.

“This one just broke off the oak tree," she said, pointing at a tree branch. "I have another oak tree that has actually been lifted from the ground with the roots, just lying in the yard.”

Multiple trees and branches have been left scattered throughout her yard, while some items had to be put back.

“It took four, four men to maneuver the well-house and to put it back over the well-tank," Rodgers said. "Because I just bought that, that’s all brand new. I didn’t want any water damage or anything getting into it so they hurried over here and turned it back over.”

The well-house was not the only thing swept up on Rodgers’ property.

“There’s the trampoline,” she said, pointing at a picture of the trampoline on her phone.

Her children’s trampoline was left wrapped around a tree.

“Oh my gosh ... it was just wrapped around the tree and the poles were bent with it," she said. "That was some serious damage.”

But picking up after the storm has been a financial struggle. Rodgers said she had to postpone her 4-year-old’s birthday party and worries about the holiday’s coming up.

“I’m pushing back on bills but I’m too prideful," she said. "I’ve been a single mom for a long time so it’s hard for me to ask for help.”

And despite all she’s been through — there’s something to be thankful for.

“The cars, the vehicles are still drivable," Rodgers said. "Like I said, there are people out there who have it way worse than I do.”