High Rent Forced Them Into a Tent, But The Decisions That Followed Truly Tested Their Relationship.

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In the wake of a devastating flood, the Original Poster (OP) faces the abrupt reality of her home being declared uninhabitable. As she grapples with the immediate challenges of a dwindling food supply and the added stress of an unexpected pregnancy, a rift forms between her and her husband over the difficult choices they must make. Will their resilience be enough to overcome such dire circumstances?

Northeast Flood

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Heavy rain in the Northeastern United States in mid-July brought flooding, and storm impacts to Vermont, which received more than nine inches of rain in just a few days. The house OP and her husband owned flooded beyond repair.

Unpleasant Revelation

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Soon after the flood, OP discovers she’s pregnant, making the situation even more difficult. Being eight weeks along, OP is stressed and worried about the baby’s well-being. Proper nutrition becomes a concern.

Futility Against the Flood

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Despite their efforts using a shop vac and dehumidifier, they’re unable to salvage their residence. With no power and mold starting to grow in the floors, walls, and ventilation system, their fight against the floodwater proves a losing battle.

Living Situation

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OP and her husband contacted their insurance company, which sent an inspector out to survey and catalog the damage. The house is inspected and declared uninhabitable. The floods have devastated their property.

Limited Supplies

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With no savings, they scramble to gather essentials. All their food was lost in the refrigerator when the power went out, leaving them with only a few days’ worth of canned items. They gather a tent, lantern, and fishing equipment from their garage, forced to rely on these minimal resources for the foreseeable future.

The Rent Dilemma

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With local rent prices skyrocketing, OP’s husband must work two pay periods just to afford a roof over their heads. They resort to living in a tent temporarily. OP seeks employment with hours matching her husband’s to expedite their return to stability.

Pawn Shop Decisions

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OP and her husband sell most of their valuables to different pawn shops. The sales help purchase essential items like gas and flashlights. However, a disagreement arises when her husband is reluctant to pawn their wedding bands and his late father’s camera equipment.

Limited Supplies

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The money from the pawned items barely stretches to cover their needs. They manage to buy food, but it’s only enough for a few days. The situation remains precarious, especially with OP’s pregnancy in mind.

Catch-22

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OP’s husband’s income level makes them ineligible for SNAP assistance. They’re stuck in a tricky situation where they earn “too much” for aid but too little to get by. Their limited resources add to the mounting pressure.

Unsuccessful Fishing

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OP tries to fish using gummy worms as bait, hoping to supplement their food supply. Despite her efforts, she doesn’t catch anything, and their struggle for sustenance continues. OP wonders about the safety of eating the fish she would catch anyway.

The Transportation Problem

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With the car at her husband’s workplace, OP considers ridesharing to earn some cash. However, the cost of gas becomes a concern. Getting to a nearby city might prove more expensive than the potential income.

Foraging Fears

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To find more food, OP considers foraging. But without proper knowledge or a guidebook, she’s scared of accidentally consuming something toxic. Their limited phone battery further restricts her ability to research.

The Camping Conundrum

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OP and her husband are unsure about the legality of their camping situation. They worry about getting in trouble for setting up camp randomly, adding yet another layer of stress. OP and her husband consider camping in their flooded house; however, the severity of the damage and potential hazards make it too risky.

SNAP Denied, Again

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The mention of SNAP (food assistance) comes up again, reinforcing the fact that they can’t avail of it. OP’s husband’s earnings exceed the eligibility threshold. This closes another potential avenue for help.

Was The Woman’s Behavior Appropriate?

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Amidst the chaos, OP reaches out to the online community. She shares her story, hoping for advice and solutions. The readers in the forum had a lot of mixed views on the matter.

Forum Responds

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One reader said, “This is how we handled it. We bleached out our garage and set it up as a home base. We set up a stove and refrigerator in there, along with a TV and bed. FEMA was of little help. We had flood insurance, thank goodness.”

Another Commenter Thinks

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Another responder wrote, “If you’re pregnant, you can try WIC. You can also try to get a loan from FEMA if you didn’t have flood insurance.”

A Third View on The Story

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A different person stated, “Get a quick job at Walmart, Amazon, or UPS. You can work next week. I do pray after reading this, your situation turns around. All the good luck.”

A Final Perspective on the Matter

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Another reader commented, “You still own the house and the land, right? Nothing is ever unsalvageable. While living in the apartment, do you plan to go to the house and get it dried out and repaired?”