August 23, 2025

University Community Supports Professor After Hurricane Helene

News Summary

Judithanne Scourfield McLauchlan, a political science professor at USF St. Petersburg, receives strong community support following extensive damage to her home from Hurricane Helene. The storm flooded her Madeira Beach residence, causing substantial loss. Despite the devastation, residents rallied together to assist McLauchlan and her family, showcasing the resilience and compassion of the community during this challenging time.

St. Petersburg, Florida – Judithanne Scourfield McLauchlan, a political science professor at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, is receiving considerable support from her community after losing nearly everything in her home on Madeira Beach due to Hurricane Helene. The storm’s impact flooded her home with around four feet of water, causing extensive damage to a residence built in 1956 that had never experienced flooding before.

The aftermath of the storm has been described by McLauchlan as an “incredibly difficult time.” She, along with her husband Ramsay McLauchlan, who teaches middle school civics, and their daughter Peggy, a college student in Wisconsin, faced significant losses. The family has owned the home for about 20 years, and the destruction has been devastating. All belongings from their house have been removed and piled into the yard, where it has comically been termed “Mount Trashmore.”

Despite the overwhelming situation, McLauchlan expressed a sense of relief when she discovered after the Milton storm that her house had not sustained any additional damage. However, concerns remained about the items in her backyard becoming dangerous projectiles during gusty winds, which could potentially harm neighboring properties.

McLauchlan’s experience highlights the strength of community support during challenging times. Many of her colleagues and students rallied together to assist her through the ordeal, which McLauchlan referred to as “super volunteers.” These dedicated individuals took charge in organizing cleanup efforts and helping salvage what they could from the wreckage.

Support varied from just emotional encouragement to hands-on assistance. Some community members provided transportation for items deemed salvageable, while others brought essential supplies like boxes and cleaning materials. Notably, Christina Diamond, a former student of McLauchlan’s, contributed by handling laundry duties and supplying food for the volunteers, demonstrating an active commitment to helping her former professor during this crisis.

Susan Toler, who serves as the associate dean of the College of the Arts and Sciences at USF St. Pete, also played a crucial role in aiding McLauchlan. According to Toler, the experience following the storm was akin to peeling layers off an onion, where the extent of the devastation became clearer day by day. The community’s resilience in supporting McLauchlan has served as a poignant reminder of the importance of mutual reliance in difficult scenarios.

The outpouring of assistance has been recognized by McLauchlan as “absolutely essential” in navigating the aftermath of the storm. It reflects the broader theme of compassion and communal solidarity that often takes place in the face of adversity. Such community initiatives illustrate how collective action can bring solace and support within local neighborhoods, especially during times of personal and environmental upheaval.

As St. Petersburg continues to recover from the challenges posed by Hurricane Helene, stories like McLauchlan’s underscore a critical human aspect of disaster recovery—the indomitable spirit of community that helps individuals and families navigate difficult realities.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Luxury Real Estate Company Expands to St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg Police to Enforce Fines for Flood Wakes
Michael Saunders & Company Expands to St. Petersburg
Shore Acres Residents Face Challenges in Hurricane Recovery
Major Contributions Enhance University Scholarship Program
St. Petersburg Considers Utility Rate Increases for Infrastructure
Negotiations for the Tampa Bay Rays Continue Amid Deal Termination
Community Searches for Missing Teen in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg City Council Approves Funding for Tropicana Field Repairs
St. Petersburg City Council Supports Martin Luther King Jr. Parade

Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER

ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.

ADD MORE INFORMATION OR CONTRIBUTE TO OUR ARTICLE CLICK HERE!