
‘Forced letting go:’ Palm Bay resident starts over after flood damage, relies on help from neighbors
By Marcus Chen
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More than a week after catastrophic flooding tore through parts of Brevard County, two women, who were also hit by the floodwaters, are helping neighbors recover one doorstep at a time. Mariah Colon, owner of The Aesthetic Xperience, and Winnye Vicente, owner of Winnye’s Bakery, packed two cars with pet food, baby supplies, hygiene products, water and other essentials to deliver directly to flood victims in Palm Bay.The flooding left homes damaged, cars destroyed and families sorting through waterlogged belongings piled along the curb. With the holidays just weeks away, Colon and Vicente said they wanted to help people facing the hardest recovery. “We’re two moms. We feel for the families that are out here,” Colon said. Both women said their own families were affected by the flooding. Colon said water entered two front rooms of her home and that a truck in her household was flooded. Still, they said they know many others are facing far greater losses.“My son slept in his bed today. My