When Hurricane Debby swept through Florida earlier this year, it brought more than just torrential rain and destruction; it brought devastation right to the doorsteps of Kristy and Joe Cestero, founders of Flood Pros USA. The couple, who have spent years restoring homes and lives after flood, fire, or other disasters, found themselves in an all-too-familiar yet painfully personal situation.
“This time, it wasn’t just someone else’s neighborhood; it was ours,” Kristy shares. “Homes in our own community were torn apart. These were people we see every day, families we’ve celebrated holidays with. It hit so close to home that we couldn’t look away. We had to act.”
The storm wasn’t an isolated event. Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton hammered the same region repeatedly at intervals, leaving an unprecedented trail of destruction. What made it worse was seeing neighbors – people living in ‘million-dollar’ homes – struggling just like everyone else. “Here we were, thinking our neighbors had it all together. But we met retirees who couldn’t afford their insurance deductibles or repairs,” Joe recounts. “These are people living check to check, in homes they’ve owned for decades, with no safety net. How do you walk away from that?” Kristy, on the other hand, shares, “The storm didn’t care about their savings or status. It was our job to step in.”
And despite their own challenges and miracles – the birth of their long-awaited twins, Jenni and Wolf, which was just a few weeks before the Milton storm hit – the Cestero duo and their team at Flood Pros stepped up. Kristy and Joe spent weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), juggling the demands of parenthood with managing their business. “It was chaos,” Kristy admits. “But our team held the line. While we were in the hospital, they were out there, rebuilding homes and providing hope. They carried us through one of the hardest times of our lives.” This ethos of compassion defines Flood Pros USA.
As they embrace life as new parents, Kristy and Joe are beginning to imagine a future that extends beyond Flood Pros USA. “We want to slow down and focus on creative projects,” Kristy shares. “Our passion has always been about helping others, especially kids and animals. Maybe it’s a sanctuary, a lake house, or something where we can give back in a meaningful way.”
Joe is also looking forward to spending more time with his family and less time on the front lines. He adds, “I used to think success was about wanting more – more work, more achievement. But now, it’s about seeing the beauty in what you have and sharing it. Whatever we do next, it’ll be rooted in that belief.”
While the Cesteros may step back from the day-to-day operations, Flood Pros USA will continue its legacy of empathy and excellence. “This team has been our backbone through every storm, and they’ll carry Flood Pros forward,” Kristy says with confidence. As for Jenni and Wolf? Kristy laughs, “She’s the firecracker; he’s the calm one. Together, they remind us why we do what we do; to build a world where both resilience and kindness prevail.”
