Key Resident Opens Arms, Heart and Home to Dorian Survivors

Key Biscayne residents welcomed the Auguste family that survived Hurricane Dorian to a new island home, Sunday, Sept. 15. (Carolyn Koslen via Key News)

It’s hard to listen to the Auguste family’s story. The cold facts of their ordeal are nightmarish enough to belong on a movie screen. But what happened to Erick, Elsie, Erynn and Chloe the morning of Sept. 1 is real – and from the nightmare emerged solace and relief. 

Longtime islander Michele Estevez first heard of the family’s plight through her involvement in the Key Biscayne Community Foundation. She was sent a Palm Beach Post article about their ordeal, and when Village of Key Biscayne Human Resources Director Juan Gutierrez asked how the community could help, she knew. 

“Why not give them my house?” said Estevez. “We were so close. It could have been us.” 

Sure enough, on Sunday, Sept. 15, a gathering of islanders welcomed Elsie Bain-Auguste and her children Erynn, 8, and Chloe, 2, to Estevez’s home in LePhare condominium on Crandon Boulevard, while Erick remains at Jackson Memorial Hospital. 

“When you think about what they went through, how can you ignore it?” said Estevez. 

Erick Auguste was wading through neck-high water with his mother Matinise Elysee holding his left hand and Chloe wedged in his right arm. Dorian’s eye was close. A piece of plywood sliced his arm off just above the elbow. In an instant the hurricane took it – and his mother – away forever. 

What followed was a tortuous 30-hour journey through decimated roads to get Auguste medical help. The family made it to Miami, where Gutierrez, whose wife’s family has a house on Treasure Cay, put them up for a couple of days before Estevez’s place was ready. 

Estevez said when Elsie arrived at the house she let out tears she had been holding back for days. “She cried for hours.”

Auguste began therapy soon after arriving but suffered a setback Friday when the vacuum that sucks away the infection in his arm malfunctioned and needed to be replaced in a painful procedure. According to Estevez, he has been under sedation. “It will be a long road to recovery,” she said. 

Recovery will clearly be mental as well as physical for the family. Estevez tells of walking this weekend with Chloe on the Key when a strong wind blew up. “She grabbed my leg and extended her arms for me to pick her up.” 

But the community has stepped up to offer support. “They have been wonderful,” said Estevez. 

Two schools immediately accepted the children: the Key Biscayne K-8 Center for Erynn to join 3rd grade, and the Key Biscayne Presbyterian School for Chloe in pre-K2. 

Initially, donations of clothes, toys and other items for the family were gladly received, but Estevez now says that apart from continued prayers, they mostly have everything they need. Those wanting to help can sign up to provide meals for the family here.

Estevez is not yet finished bringing the community together to show love for the Augustes. “As soon as Erick gets out of the hospital we will all get together again with the family,” she said.