TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – A Tallahassee couple is working to rebuild after Hurricane Isaias brought a tree down on their home, sparking a fire that destroyed the house.
Keith Powell was out of town at a motorcycle festival in Birmingham when his wife called to tell him what happened.
“She called up and said we lost the house, it burned up and I couldn’t believe it,” Powell said.
Powell drove back to Tallahassee through strong winds. He says the fire destroyed decades of family memories, along with his wife’s artwork and inventory for upcoming art shows.
“Everything’s lost. It’s tough cause it’s not just the stuff, it’s the memories,” Powell said.
The couple is staying in a hotel while working with their insurance company to find long-term housing and begin rebuilding, according to Powell.
Despite the loss, Powell says he’s grateful no one was hurt and the couple’s cat was found hiding under a bed the following day.
Powell’s lifelong friend, Brian Wells, was with him in Birmingham when he first learned of the fire at his North Tallahassee home.
In support of his friend of more than 40 years, Wells launched a GoFundMe to help the couple rebuild.
To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Nextdoor and X (Twitter).
Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here. Please include the article’s headline in your message.
Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here to get started.
Copyright 2026 WCTV. All rights reserved.