Support the Hayes Family to Rebuild After Hurricane Helene

Hi, my name is Colby Overbey, and I’m reaching out to help my mom, Tracey, and my grandparents, Polly (Grey) and Mike (Papa), after they lost everything in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Their home in Henderson County, North Carolina, was completely destroyed by the severe flooding, and both of their cars were also lost. The devastation has been overwhelming.

A Terrifying Experience

On Friday morning, while my mom was out of town visiting New York, we received a terrifying call from my grandpa. The floodwaters were rising fast, already knee-deep inside the house. Within just 20 minutes, the water was up to his hips, and their road was impassable. The fear and helplessness we felt were unimaginable, but I can’t begin to comprehend the panic they experienced. We contacted 911, but for hours we had no word on their situation.

Thankfully, by God’s grace, they were rescued by boat. My grandparents clung to their porch railing as the floodwaters reached the ceiling of their home, yelling for help. They were taken to safety at a nearby nursing home, and friends helped them recover a few essential belongings once the water receded (medication, wallets, and one phone).

Rebuilding

The emotional and financial toll is enormous. They didn’t have flood insurance, and their auto insurance won’t cover the damage to their cars. In an instant, a lifetime of memories and security was washed away. Papa is a Vietnam veteran (United States Marine Corps) and retired as a police officer after 30+ years of service. He and Grey have been married for 58 years. They worked so hard to build a beautiful life together and to give their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as much as possible. They now face the daunting task of starting over from nothing.

We know how lucky we are that they survived, as so many others tragically did not. We are now asking for help to give them the basic things they need to rebuild—new cars, essential belongings, and a place they can call home again.

How You Can Help

Any donation, no matter how small, would mean the world to our family. Your generosity will go toward helping my grandparents and mom replace their lost belongings and begin the difficult journey of recovery.

Thank you so much for your support during this heartbreaking time. God bless you!