Please Help - Flooding Destroyed My Teaching Studio

Hi everyone. My name is Nick James, I'm a full-time musician and music teacher based out of Port Coquitlam B.C. Canada. On October 19th, 2024, the we were hit with an catestrophic, atmospheric river event. The flooding that happened that day destroyed my drum teaching and studio space. A state of emergency was declared.

Pre-flood

Post-flood

Heavy rain started in the morning. The local creek a block away broke its banks. Within 15 minutes the main street and the alley were a river. My studio was under water. Salmon were swimming in the street. I was out of town for a gig that day. I got a call as the flood was happening. I felt helpless, I could do nothing to save anything. There was no way to even get back early. Roads were closed. I was literally stuck.

Years of work, destroyed in minutes. Everything I had was contaminated by river water, sludge and debris. The river water was also contaminated by dead fish carcass' due to the annual salmon run. The studio flooded, water receded and then it flooded again, twice within a few hours. My studio was a converted garage. Drums, gear, books, media, musical equipment, furniture, walls, soundproofing, carpets, as well as personal items; all of it was damaged or destroyed. Many things are expensive and difficult to replace, some are irreplaceable.

This studio and teaching space was my space to teach, to go play, practice, process, share, hangout. It was a space filled with joy and a passion for music. My students also loved the space. Teaching and playing professionally is how I earn a living everyday. Every part of my daily life and work are negatively impacted by not having a teaching space. I have managed to arrange a temporary room for lessons, but it is not sound proofed and not appropriate for teaching.

I need to be able to create a new teaching/studio space. The space is partially gutted and black mold is growing. There is a lot of work to do.

I believed I was covered by our tenant insurance. Unfortunately the very fine print indicates it does not apply because of teaching in person lessons. I am also cut off from BC emergency assistance because detached structures, and their contents, are excluded.

This is all very overwhelming. It's hard for me to ask for help, but I really need your help. I am grateful for any amount of funds you can donate, to help cover the costs of rebuilding and replacing everything I lost that day. I really appreciate it.

Donated funds will help replace items such as: