WIMAUMA, Fla. — The holidays are right around the corner, and for some families in our state, this season will look and feel much different this year because of the recent hurricanes.

What You Need To Know

  • As the holidays approach, families will spend it differently this year after two hurricanes

  • Maria Del Pueblito Sanchez Diaz will be spending the holidays without her family by her side

  • She saw damage to her mobile home and lost a lot of appliances

These days, life in the U.S. is difficult for Maria Del Pueblito Sanchez Diaz. With the holidays approaching, the only thing that brings her comfort is making tortillas.

It reminds her of her home country of Mexico. She moved to Wimauma nine months ago with her family, seeking asylum.

"It’s very difficult here because we can’t really go out," she said, "and if we don’t know how to drive, we can’t go anywhere.”

She lives in a mobile home with her husband, three children and a baby on the way.

Like many other families, they were affected by the recent hurricanes.

Their mobile home had water damage inside, and they lost an air conditioning unit and washer.

“We thought the hurricane had turned our home upside down, because we didn’t have time to tie it down, but although we saw it damaged, we’re grateful we still have this home,” she said.

She said they have been able to buy a new fridge and are relying on using their neighbor’s washer until they can replace theirs.

But with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, sadness is also kicking in.

“Although we may be a small family, we usually come together during the holidays," she said. "So I feel sad to see these pictures because I don’t know when I’ll be able to see them again."

This will be the first year she will celebrate the holidays without her family by her side. And although it won’t be the same, she is staying positive for her husband and children.

“We have a lot of expenses to repair everything, and without a job it’s even more difficult. But I just thank God we still have a place to live.”

Even if she’s more than a thousand miles away from her relatives, she is making the best of it and working to re-build her new home here.

The family says they don’t qualify for FEMA aid, so it could take months before they’re able to raise enough money to replace what they lost.

In the meantime, they’ll be seeking help from nonprofits to help with basic necessities.