Chris & Toni Butters Florence Fund
Donation protected
My name is Jason Howlett I am here on behalf of my mother Toni, her husband Chris Butters, and my nephew Jared Howlett. Jared was staying here because he is about to join the Army reserves in about a month he will be shipping off to basic. The three of them live together in a two story home in my hometown of Pollocksville N.C.
Toni is mother of 2 and grandmother of 6. Unfortunately after facing a few personal tragedies including Floyd, she has had to refinance and start over again on her loan including when this home was flooded during Floyd, at that time she had no flood insurance being out of the traditional flood stage. Like many others impacted in Florence and even Floyd she thought since the area had never flooded she was safe. My mom lost her job a few months ago adding further straining a pay check to paycheck budget.
News And Observer article with my stepdad interviewed.
During the aftermath of Hurricane Florence the entire county (Jones County) received record breaking flooding. For the second time in less than 20 years my mom has faced devastating floods.
This time is far worse at least 5 ft deeper. This time my biggest concern is safety. The water stayed in her house for over a week, mold and mildew are a serious concern.
They are lucky to have flood insurance.
To all those who aren’t in Eastern NC. I want people to understand how bad Jones County got hit during this flood. We have seen many hurricanes in this area, a few major hurricanes doing very serious damage. In 99 Floyd hit this area as the “flood of the century” hitting homes that have never had flood water in them, going several feet above any other record, pushing over a half of a block further than any Hurricane even came close too.
The waters we are seeing in this community are at least 4 feet higher in elevation then Floyd in 1999, so in less than 20 years we have seen two 100/ 500+ year floods. I for one can say the flood is much worse and wide spread in Jones County than several of the other places getting more attention in the news. This isn’t a low area or down in a valley many of these homes have never seen water even in the yard and are very well drained most others have only seen flooding during the Freak flood after Dennis and Floyd. The term 1000 year rainfall event is being used to describe this.
This is very emotional for those involved not because of losing material things but because, for many they will feel this impact for years if not decades. Financially it is devastating to a lot of people even insurance and FEMA help won’t begin to touch everything needed. Many FEMA “buyouts” if they are approved will take years and only give the value of the house minus demolition fees. How will this help those who still owe much of what the home is worth?
I have been approached by a few people offering help this is much appreciated!!
For those who want to help this area:
Remember these people will be replacing everything.
The current need is storage bins, cleaning supplies, saftey gear, help cleaning out / hauling off debris, safety masks must be N95 or higher.
Give to reputable organizations and people you trust, there will be those who will take advantage and those too proud for “handouts”, so if you know people impacted don’t ask just show up and help, give them gift cards to Lowes, gas stations, Walmart etc.
The cleanup will be very labor intensive, many groups are helping out but are lacking volunteers there will be a need for volunteers long after news coverage stops.
The best possible scenario would be a total loss of the house and the insurance will pay what the house is worth. This WILL NOT cover what she owes on the house and demolition. Imagine starting over with nothing, no job no house if fema helps it will likely be a low interest loan meaning she will have to try and find something to start her loan all over again and likely still owe on this house.
If you find it in your heart to give financially it will be greatly appreciated. My mother is a very proud woman and does not a like asking for help. To be honest she will likely want to kill me because of this.
Anyone wanting to help, in anyway or even if they want to help others, let me know, I can help get you in touch with those in need. People in the Raleigh area I will be glad to pick up donations and get them to the impacted areas. I am even willing to help find rides if you want to do some volunteer work.
I know its frustrating giving to the big organizations wondering if its going to a cover a hefty salary for someone or over head or going to those who aren't impacted or don't need help. I can guarantee all funds received will go directly to rebuilding materials or work done on the house. I will keep and share receipts on this page and if any funds surpass needs it will go directly to help others (in need) in this area who were impacted by the flooding.
There is a huge need for help in this community I would love to be able to distribute extra funds to some of the other families here, please give what you can. The most important thing is to share this post and others. Please don’t forget this area once the coverage has stopped. This will be a long process no doubt taking years for many involved. This impact will be felt long after many people move back into their homes. This community will never be the same but if I know the people who live here the bonds will be stronger and this will pull the people closer together.
JDNews coverage
WITN footage
ABC News footage goes by the house
WCTI The house at 5 seconds in
Toni is mother of 2 and grandmother of 6. Unfortunately after facing a few personal tragedies including Floyd, she has had to refinance and start over again on her loan including when this home was flooded during Floyd, at that time she had no flood insurance being out of the traditional flood stage. Like many others impacted in Florence and even Floyd she thought since the area had never flooded she was safe. My mom lost her job a few months ago adding further straining a pay check to paycheck budget.
News And Observer article with my stepdad interviewed.
During the aftermath of Hurricane Florence the entire county (Jones County) received record breaking flooding. For the second time in less than 20 years my mom has faced devastating floods.
This time is far worse at least 5 ft deeper. This time my biggest concern is safety. The water stayed in her house for over a week, mold and mildew are a serious concern.
They are lucky to have flood insurance.
To all those who aren’t in Eastern NC. I want people to understand how bad Jones County got hit during this flood. We have seen many hurricanes in this area, a few major hurricanes doing very serious damage. In 99 Floyd hit this area as the “flood of the century” hitting homes that have never had flood water in them, going several feet above any other record, pushing over a half of a block further than any Hurricane even came close too.
The waters we are seeing in this community are at least 4 feet higher in elevation then Floyd in 1999, so in less than 20 years we have seen two 100/ 500+ year floods. I for one can say the flood is much worse and wide spread in Jones County than several of the other places getting more attention in the news. This isn’t a low area or down in a valley many of these homes have never seen water even in the yard and are very well drained most others have only seen flooding during the Freak flood after Dennis and Floyd. The term 1000 year rainfall event is being used to describe this.
This is very emotional for those involved not because of losing material things but because, for many they will feel this impact for years if not decades. Financially it is devastating to a lot of people even insurance and FEMA help won’t begin to touch everything needed. Many FEMA “buyouts” if they are approved will take years and only give the value of the house minus demolition fees. How will this help those who still owe much of what the home is worth?
I have been approached by a few people offering help this is much appreciated!!
For those who want to help this area:
Remember these people will be replacing everything.
The current need is storage bins, cleaning supplies, saftey gear, help cleaning out / hauling off debris, safety masks must be N95 or higher.
Give to reputable organizations and people you trust, there will be those who will take advantage and those too proud for “handouts”, so if you know people impacted don’t ask just show up and help, give them gift cards to Lowes, gas stations, Walmart etc.
The cleanup will be very labor intensive, many groups are helping out but are lacking volunteers there will be a need for volunteers long after news coverage stops.
The best possible scenario would be a total loss of the house and the insurance will pay what the house is worth. This WILL NOT cover what she owes on the house and demolition. Imagine starting over with nothing, no job no house if fema helps it will likely be a low interest loan meaning she will have to try and find something to start her loan all over again and likely still owe on this house.
If you find it in your heart to give financially it will be greatly appreciated. My mother is a very proud woman and does not a like asking for help. To be honest she will likely want to kill me because of this.
Anyone wanting to help, in anyway or even if they want to help others, let me know, I can help get you in touch with those in need. People in the Raleigh area I will be glad to pick up donations and get them to the impacted areas. I am even willing to help find rides if you want to do some volunteer work.
I know its frustrating giving to the big organizations wondering if its going to a cover a hefty salary for someone or over head or going to those who aren't impacted or don't need help. I can guarantee all funds received will go directly to rebuilding materials or work done on the house. I will keep and share receipts on this page and if any funds surpass needs it will go directly to help others (in need) in this area who were impacted by the flooding.
There is a huge need for help in this community I would love to be able to distribute extra funds to some of the other families here, please give what you can. The most important thing is to share this post and others. Please don’t forget this area once the coverage has stopped. This will be a long process no doubt taking years for many involved. This impact will be felt long after many people move back into their homes. This community will never be the same but if I know the people who live here the bonds will be stronger and this will pull the people closer together.
JDNews coverage
WITN footage
ABC News footage goes by the house
WCTI The house at 5 seconds in
Organizer
Jason Howlett
Organizer
Pollocksville, NC
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