Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Bruce Ashley and wife Nina Banister Ashley lost their home, vehicles and most of their possessions when flooding romped through Crawfordville and Medart earlier this week.

Lt. Ashley is a member of the Criminal Investigations Unit (CID) and Nina is employed by the Department of Financial Services. They are seeking a rental home until their can get back on their feet.

The water level rose to five feet deep inside their home and 12 feet deep outside the home. They have been using Scuba gear to recover items buried deep in the water.
The Ashleys were awakened by their animals very early Tuesday morning as the flood waters quickly engulfed their home. They were able to rescue their three cats and dog and swim to a boat. They lost a tractor, two personal vehicles and an agency vehicle in the flood as well as the vast majority of their possessions.

Anyone who can assist the Ashleys with a rental should call Nina Ashley at 528-0032 or e-mail her at nina.banister@hotmail.com.
“We have flood insurance and family support so we will get back on our feet,” said Nina. “But I know other people around us didn’t have flood insurance. They were told they didn’t need it.” The Ashleys and their neighbors do not live in a flood zone.

Nina offered three recommendations for other families based on her professional experience with the state.
“Review your insurance policy and know what you have covered. Prepare in advance and have a water safe place for important documents, medications, pictures, records and pet information and have a plan for your family pets and carriers available nearby,” she said.

“It all happened so fast,” added Lt. Ashley.