Donna Fagersten thought she was safe. As Hurricane Helene raged through northern Florida, she took shelter on the top floor of her friends’ home, along with many others who were trying to survive the storm. The hurricane, a deadly Category 4 storm, had already claimed more than 100 lives as it tore through the Southeastern U.S.
“When it started to calm down,” Donna, who was only a few days away from retiring after 35 years of teaching, made a heartbreaking decision: she wanted to head home to rescue her cat.
It was the night of September 26, 2024, when Helene made landfall in Florida around 11 p.m. The storm caused major flash flooding and forced many residents to scramble for safety, with some never making it out.
One of the worst-hit areas was Pinellas County in the Tampa Bay region, where at least 11 people lost their lives. Among them was Donna Fagersten, a beloved second-grade teacher at Ponce De Leon Elementary School.
Her best friend, Heather Anne Boles, remembers Donna fondly. Donna, who lived in Indian Rocks Beach, was set to retire the week of September 30 after decades of teaching. That night, Donna had been riding out the storm with Boles and her partner, Mike Moran.
Water beginning to come over walls off the beach in Indian Shores. Also, as the sheriff said earlier…someone is gonna “win a stupid prize…” #HurricaneHelene pic.twitter.com/jLISw266dt
— Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (@SheriffPinellas) September 26, 2024
“The water came up so fast,” Mike told reporters. “It maybe had 10 minutes, if that.”
Heather added, “We all went to my mom’s house and got on the third floor when the storm surge rushed in.” They had been seeking refuge in Heather’s mother’s house, which was just across the street from where Donna lived. Heather, knowing the storm wasn’t truly over, begged Donna to stay inside. “When it started to calm down,” she said, “Donna wanted to go over and check on her cat.”
But the calm was deceptive. The storm still had more to give—another surge of water and high tropical winds hit the coast again. Just as Donna was trying to make it back, tragedy struck.
A neighbor came into the home where Heather and Mike were sheltering and delivered devastating news.
“He said he saw somebody floating in the parking garage,” Mike recalled. “So they pulled [Donna] up to the stairs, and Heather and [a friend] started CPR.”
“We lost 3 trees w/ Irma, but we still had our house, we still had all our belongings & we still had Donna.”
— Kylie Jones Fox 13 (@kyliejonesontv) September 30, 2024
Donna Fagersten is one of 9 in Pinellas Co. who died during #HurricaneHelene. Hear from her best friend who tried to save her life, on @FOX13News at 6.
📸: Meliza Zamora pic.twitter.com/ap2uYpcLYG
The floodwaters were so high that emergency responders had to come by boat. For nearly an hour, Heather and her friend tried desperately to save Donna, but there was nothing more they could do. “Losing one of your best friends is just devastating,” Mike said sadly.
According to investigators, Donna was found in several inches of water inside her home. It appeared that water had entered her residence, and she had tragically drowned.
A “Beautiful Soul” Lost
Donna wasn’t just a victim of the storm; she was a beloved figure in her community. Friends and family remember her as a warm-hearted and dedicated teacher. Mary Gleason Lyons, a colleague and close friend, shared a touching tribute on Facebook.
“People may have lost a lot in this hurricane, but we lost Donna Fagersten, who was a beautiful person, a friend, and a teacher. I worked with Donna for over 13 years, and she has touched the lives of so many students,” Mary wrote. “I am so saddened by this and will miss her. She was dedicated to her students and had such a big heart.”
The comments section was filled with similar sentiments, as those who knew Donna expressed their sorrow and shock. “I remember her fondly!! So saddened to hear of her passing,” wrote one user. Another commented, “She was one kind-hearted woman, and if you knew her, you would never forget her. Such a beautiful soul to lose from so many people. God rest her soul.”
A third person added, “This is heartbreaking, things like this make you realize how you can’t take anyone or any day for granted.”
Picking Up the Pieces
In the days following the hurricane, Heather and Mike began the difficult task of cleaning up after the storm. The floods had taken almost everything—furniture, personal belongings, clothes—everything was gone. But the loss of their dear friend Donna was by far the hardest part.
“We lost three trees with [Hurricane] Irma, but we still had our house, we still had all our belongings, and we still had Donna,” Heather said. She’s lived in Indian Rocks Beach for 25 years, and the devastation this time was like nothing she’d ever experienced. “This is obviously the worst we have ever, ever seen.”
As they try to move forward, Heather asked for prayers, not just for herself but for everyone affected by the storm. “And I know there are others out here that lost their lives as well. Just pray for everybody right now.”
In the midst of the tragedy, there was a small glimmer of hope—Donna’s cat survived the storm. Her friends are now working to find a safe home for him, ensuring that a part of Donna’s legacy will live on.
The Wrath of Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction in its 800-mile path northward. The storm caused historic flooding, knocked out power for more than 2 million homes, and claimed the lives of over 100 people. The loss and devastation were felt deeply across the Southeastern U.S., but for those who knew Donna Fagersten, the pain was especially personal.
She wasn’t just another victim of the storm; she was a teacher, a friend, and a beautiful soul whose impact on her community will never be forgotten.
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