It's safe to say that things about this fall season of The Challenge have been a bit unusual to say the least... but we will save that discussion on here for another day. But good thing that there's other seasons of this show that we can relieve if you are one of those who forges over a few dollars to watch them on Paramount+ or watches them for free on its Pluto TV channel.
And it was a much documented career that Tony had on The Challenge post-Real World: it began with him getting into it with his brother Shane just after he cheated on his baby mama in the bathroom and before a bad spill that forced him from Battle of the Bloodlines. After early exits on Rivals III (a non-physical fight with his partner), Invasion of The Champions (first to lose in the elimination after the merge with the champs) and Dirty 30 (a surprise loss to Amo in elimination), and we could have looked at another also-ran... but the Redemption House proved to be a blessing in disguise: #TonyTime won his way back to make the semifinals there, executed a move on Bananas on Vendettas and made a deep run on Final Reckoning, along with winning Champs vs. Stars and a proposal with his girlfriend Alyssa.
But this past month saw something so life-changing happen to him, it once again reiterated that there are few things that are bigger than television, and also proves why that despite all the dysfunction that frequently takes place within that community that Challenge Nation is indeed a family. One thing that can bring them all together: a devastating disaster.
The times we are in now have been tense on a political and social scape, all set against the backdrop of the ongoing pandemic, but we cannot forget that we also have to deal with frequent bouts with Mother Nature, and the ongoing discussion it has spurred about climate change. Whatever side people are on in that chatter of the ladder, it has been to blame for much of the worst methodologic disasters that America has had to put up with in the past few decades.
When The Real World began filming Season 17 sixteen years ago, it was during the midst of Hurricane Katrina which forever scarred the lives of everyone who lives in New Orleans, the state of Louisiana and all along the Gulf Coast. The events of what happened that late August was the one natural disaster that boasted the single biggest price tag of any in history ($125 billion), cost the lives of over 1,800 people that also exposed hundreds of flaws in disaster management, and altered the way of life in the Big Easy. And it was only part of a devastating 2005 hurricane season that also affected the Key West season when two other storms also rained on Johnny Bananas' MTV debut.
Not surprisingly, New Orleans felt the brunt of the storm once again as it left over a million residents in the dark, spurring flooding and substantial damage to infrastructure that years earlier was the focus following Katrina. But the most important element as to why what happened in 2005 did the way it did, its levees, survived the brunt of Ida's force... but it wasn't the case for other aspects of the Crescent City. The French Quarter suffered significant damage from its peak 150 mph winds, while Jefferson Parish also had to deal with the storm surge just it did with Katrina. So far, Ida is to blame for over $50 billion in damages... placing it sixth behind Irma, Sandy, Maria, Harvey and Katrina in that category, and that has forced the Saints to start the NFL season on the road.
However, Tony was not so lucky when he and his family had to encounter Hurricane Ida. And as he notes in the Instagram post below, the impact anyone who lives right in the eye of the storm is as life-altering and as heart wrenching as the descriptions and the visuals can describe.
INSTAGRAM @T_Raines"Hurricane Ida might’ve destroyed my home but I still have my family.The night of the storm a tree came crashing down through our living room. Alyssa and my 4 year old daughter, Isla, were sitting on the couch next to each other and I was standing in the middle of the room. When the roof collapsed, I fell to the floor and immediately thought the worst. Adrenaline kicked in and I immediately headed to the couch where my family was. I could hear my daughter crying and cleared her from the debris. I brought her to the middle hallway bathroom and went back for Alyssa. At first she was not responsive and my heart sunk but I could hear her breathing. After a few moments of moving the debris off of her to pull her out she regained consciousness. She had received a blow to the head when the ceiling came crashing in that knocked her out. Her hand was also severely wounded. We were able to make it to the hall bathroom with my daughter, who was thankfully unscathed, and attempted to call 911 for help with Alyssa’s injuries but it was too late. The storm made it impossible for emergency services to get to us. So we waited it out 5 hours before attempting a trip to the hospital ourselves. We drove every route possible but there was no way through the downed trees and power lines any way we went. We eventually met someone who had a chain saw and was willing to help us. Almost 4 hours later and we finally were able to cut a path through and make it to the hospital. Alyssa received stitches in her forehead and the doctors scheduled surgery on her hand. If all goes well, she will make a full recovery in 3 months.I struggled with sharing this but I wanted everyone to know that miracles do happen. If that tree or part of the roof falls a foot in any other direction this could be a different story. I’m thankful I get to hug my family and as traumatic as this experience was, we are all blessed to still be here! My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone else who was affected and are still dealing with the aftermath of this hurricane 🙏I can’t thank our friends and family enough who have helped us through all of this. You know who you are and we are forever grateful!"
When the dust settled over his neighborhood, Tony's life -- and that of the rest of his family -- had changed just like the hundreds of thousands who call Baton Rouge home. A nearby tree fell on top of the Raines home as the roof caved in as the dad heard daughter Isa crying and did what he can to get to his high school sweetheart. At first, Alyssa did not respond amidst all the debris that was all over the house, but patience intervened as she regained consciousness moments after she was impacted upon the ceiling crashed on top of her.
It was only after the worst of the storm had dissipated that emergency services finally got in contact with his family, and amidst the tricky path made possible by the many down power lines and trees they finally arrived at a local hospital. Alyssa was brought into the emergency room, where stiches were put on her forehand and doctors performed surgery on her hand, with all eyes on her making a full recovery by the holidays. But just the fact that everyone was alive was something to cheer about amidst the chaos of the worst day -- if not, one of the worst days -- of his life... even if he had to come to grips that his house was just about a total loss.
Tony added in that post above, "I struggled with sharing this but I wanted everyone to know that miracles do happen. If that tree or part of the roof falls a foot in any other direction this could be a different story. I'm thankful I get to hug my family and as traumatic as this experience was, we are all blessed to still be here!"
The fellow Challengers who competed with Tony on those six regular Challenge seasons and the last leg of the Champs vs. Stars trilogy, and who also double as an extended part of his family, all sent their messages to him, Alyssa and Isa just after he posted that update...
● @realjohnnybananas: Your belongings can be replaced, family can't! Glad you're all safe 🙏
● @westonbergmann: Jesus Christ man, I’m so happy your family is okay and incredibly sorry you had to go through this. My thoughts are with you during the road to recovery. ❤️
● @kylecgshore: Praying for you all, I’m glad your family are okay and you are all getting through this difficult time ❤️
● @paulcalafiore_: Praying for you and your family brother ❤️
● @tori_deal: Sending prayers ❤️
● @kailah_casillas: holy shit. I’m so happy that you guys are all ok! Sending positive vibes for Alyssa’s quick recovery ❤️🩹
● @mar8e: This is terrifying. I can’t imagine going through that, it all seems so surreal when you just hear stories on tv vs. someone you know personally. Thank god everyone is okay. If there’s anything I can do to help pls don’t hesitate to let me know.
● @angelababicz: Omg praying for you and your family😢❤️
● @themarklong: I’m sending you and your family a trillion prayers and I’ll keep you guys in my thoughts each day. Hang in there my man 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
● @iamkamiam_: I’m thankful you and your family are safe! I will continue to keep you all in my prayers 🙏🏽❤️
● @jennacompono: She is one tough mama. Sending positive vibes for Alyssa’s recovery, I’m so happy you all are okay! Sending love and prayers through this difficult time. ❤️❤️❤️ if you need anything we are a phone call away
● @cheynotshy: Praying for your family ❤️
● @justjemm_: So thankful y’all are ok! 💜
● @justinavalentine: God bless 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
● @darrell_taylor_lb4lb: Damnnnn bro!!! Glad everyone is alive and safe 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
● @aneesamtv: Omg so happy everyone is ok. However, so incredibly sorry that you and your family had to endure this. Please let me know if you need anything
● @tjlavin: ❤️❤️❤️ damn man
● @bradfiorenza: Grateful you and your girls are safe now 🙏 Thanks for the perspective!
● @thejohnnyhickey: Tony let us know if there is anything we can do … so glad your fam is ok
● @rachel_fitness: So sorry to hear this you all are so strong thank 🙏🏼 everyone is ok.
● @jossmooney: ❤️❤️❤️
● @nicolexoramos: Damn I’m so sorry this happy to you and @alyssagiacone my prayers are with you guys
● @lindseypelas: Omg so sorry to hear this. Wishing you and Alyssa and the babies fast healing ❤️
● @beaucaspersmart: ❤️❤️
● @chriswademma: God bless you guys. Wow 🙏
● @amberleediamond: Holy shit I am soooo sorry! Big hugs to your whole family ☹️
● @brittanybaldi: 💙🙏🏼
● @laurelstucky: Wishing Alyssa a quick recovery ❤️🩹
● @v_cakes: I’m so happy your family was not torn apart! What a scary experience for you all but probably came with many lessons for you. I’m so sorry you are all going through this but thankful it wasn’t worse, as you realize & expressed yourself. Thankful it was Alyssa & not your daughter. There are so many circumstances to be grateful for, even in the midst of tragedy. You & your beautiful family are in our thoughts, Tony. You’ll get through this & we are all here should you need assistance ❤️❤️❤️
● @kellyannejudd: Sending love and prayers. So so happy everyone is okay. Hopefully Alyssa has a full recovery soon. 🙏❤️🙏❤️ Stay strong.
● @trishellec: Oh my gosh that’s horrible. I’m thinking of y’all. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do.
● @syrusmtv: Dam man I’m so sorry to. That’s crazy! Stay blessed man
● @avereytressler: So thankful you guys are safe. Prayers for you and yours
● @melindastolpmtv: Wow! Super scary! Glad y’all are ok! 😢
● @brilacuesta: So glad your family is ok 🙏🏻 thinking of you all during this time
● @mtvshauvon: Ohh my 😢😢😢 I’m so sorry! Thank you Jesus you all are okay ❤️
As has always been the case for so many during these times, the power of the people and the internet have rallied together to support each other and those affected by Hurricane Ida. And in the case of Tony, Ali Evans - host of a Challenge podcast by the Hedrick Files - organized a GoFundMe appeal in his honor, which began just after the storm hit and which closed with almost $13,500 in donations -- well ahead of their $10,000 goal.
In addition, more money was raised when Ali hosted an online trivia night this past week with proceeds also going towards family recovery, as Tony's fellow Challenge alumni pitched in whatever they can to help his family out during the recovery process that lies ahead this fall. That includes them having to stay with Alyssa's dad for the time being until things get better back where he calls home, and until they can afford a new place to call home.
Tony wrote on IG, "To every single person that has donated and helped behind the scenes, you don’t understand and I can’t put into words how much this means to me and my family. The stress and pressure that this alleviates means more than you know and honestly it’s still hard for me to process. I just wanna hug everyone. @helloalievans I owe you a special thanks for starting this. Also (Real World roommate) @violettaatteloiv who offered to start one as well but I wasn’t ready emotionally."
Almost a month since this terrible tragedy, and the road to recovery is ongoing for those who have been most deeply affected by the most severe of the three major hurricanes that have hit during this 2021 Atlantic hurricane season with two months left until this window subsides -- and a year after Laura also hit Louisiana and made things a living hell just as the whole year of 2020 was. And while we know of the saying that you can't really appreciate what you've got until it's all been swiped away, things could've been worse... but luckily, Tony, Alyssa & Isla that they survived Hurricane Ida.
- I AM DC
#DCBLOG
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