Monty and Carmen Portelli thought they'd see out their days in their 'forever home".
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But their world came literally crashing down on Tuesday night after a severe storm ripped the roof right off their Flinders home.
In the cold light of day as the elderly couple and their son Anthony Portelli surveyed the damage, reality hit that the Brunderee Road home was not insured for storm damage.
Hundreds of homes were damaged, especially in nearby areas of Albion Park and Shellharbour, on the night the weather bureau described as an extreme wind storm which whipped up top wind speeds similar to what you'd expect with a tropical cyclone.
Anthony Portelli said his father was devastated.
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"He is in quite a state, he can't believe that he forgot to insure the house," Mr Portelli said.
"My parents are in their 70s and they live a quiet life. They love the house they built in 2007. They were planning on living there for the rest of their lives.
"It is going to be hard but we are going to do our best to repair the house for them.
"If we can just get enough for a roof, we can do the rest inside slowly, slowly."
Mr Portelli's wife Misty has started a GoFundMe page to help her in-laws rebuilt their "beloved home"..
"We just want a roof on. We don't want a crazy amount of money," she said.
"It just broke our hearts. In a devastating moment their lives were changed forever, they lost their home that they worked so hard to build.
"I will never forget the devastation in their faces when they were told they had to leave their home.
"It hit them hard, especially considering they are uninsured. They are so upset with themselves for that."
The Portelllis, who have four children themselves, were doing all they could but appreciated any support from the community to help Carmen and Monty.
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"Today the work will begin to re-build their home. We understand that times are hard for everyone during COVID so please don't feel bad if you cannot donate, your love and support is enough, our goal is to just get the roof on," Mrs Portelli said.
Though some in the community have hit out and personally attacked Mrs Portelli online for starting the GoFundMe page.
"I couldn't believe some of the things people are saying. I don't understand, we are just trying to help two beautiful elderly people who are doing it tough," she said.
"They can't go back to work to do this, they are pensioners, they can't afford to refinance on their house to pay the mortgage off.
"We aren't asking for a lot and understand if people can't donate but there is no reason for people to leave nasty comments."
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Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
