Bat Cave, NC -- please help support on-going recovery effort

Hello Friends & Family,

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) – we are OK, and willing to accept some generosity, but ask that those who have surrounded us with such support consider donating to those still in much greater need.

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Along with countless others, my wife, Chelsea Winkert, & I went through the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene. As many of you know, about 1 year ago we moved to Bat Cave, NC with our now 3 ½ year old son, Guenther, and recently welcomed our new daughter, Hildegard, into the world this past July. We woke up Friday morning (9/27) as the severe wind, rain, flooding, and landslides were beginning to hit the worst. Other than some water & wind damage to the house & outbuildings, a tree falling on my truck, and the complete wash away of our driveway, we were OK. However, most of our friends and neighbors were not. Most homes and vehicles were swept into Hickory Creek and the Rocky Broad River (which then flows through Chimney Rock down to Lake Lure) and those that survived tried, and some were able, to get to the Bat Cave Fire Department. All 4 ways in & out were blocked (& still are), as the roads suffered catastrophic landslides & complete loss wash out.

Members of the search & rescue team that had come in the night before worked tirelessly to save people’s lives and provide support to those who survived. The community came together in a way that is hard to describe; many of us neighbors met for the first time on the worst day of our lives.

On Saturday, we were fortunate enough to be rescued via helicopter by the US Army (pictured above). These brave soldiers flew us (as well as our 2 cats and 1 dog) to the Police Academy in Edneyville, where we were eventually shuttled to the NC Search & Rescue Center in Hendersonville, NC. My sister & brother-in-law (Kate & Doug Herrit) drove to get us and took us back to their home with their 2 kids in Charlotte, NC. After just getting cell phone service and internet access for the first time, we have been overwhelmed and immensely humbled by the outpouring of support and offers for assistance.

In an effort to gratefully accept some help, we are starting a Go Fund Me with a personal goal of $5,000. We will use this to help cover our family (and extended family’s) costs in the immediate term when it comes to turning my sister’s home from a house of 4, to a house of 8. Additional food, fuel, transportation, as well as clothing, car seats, and necessities for the kids are the priority. As time goes on, and if we find ourselves needing more help, we will ask. Our overall goal for the Go Fund Me is $25,000 which we will give 100% directly to those still trapped in Bat Cave, and the heroes who are continuing to support their survival. The Bat Cave Fire Department is our top priority, as well as our friends and neighbors trying to reach the area from Gerton, Edneyville, Black Mountain, and Lake Lure. The most immediate needs we’re aware of now are items such as gas, generators, food/water, etc. These search and rescue efforts are ongoing and will be for a long time. If you are aware of other organizations in W. NC making the same sacrifice, please feel free to donate to them directly, and/or share those opportunities in the comments section. We made it out, but many have not.

Knowing we have such incredible love & support means the world, and we are forever grateful.

Thank you, and God bless.

-Herb Klann & family