Donate to help Chimney Rock Volunteer Fire Department

Gray's Creek and Hope Mills Fire Departments are raising money to assist the members of Chimney Rock Volunteer Fire Department.

On Friday, September, 27, Western North Carolina was devastated by Hurricane Helene. Soon after, a team from Gray's Creek Fire Department, Station 18, and Hope Mills Fire Department deployed to Chimney Rock to assist the Chimney Rock Volunteer Fire Department and provide some relief for its members. When we arrived, the destruction we witnessed was unbelievable – some buildings were flooded, some collapsed, and many completely washed away from the flood waters.

The Chimney Rock Volunteer Fire Department has a total of 22 members, all volunteer. Of those 22, 10 lost everything. Their businesses, their homes, their pets, their livelihood.

Nick and Kristin volunteer at the fire department. Their inn and mini-golf businesses were destroyed and their restaurant, Chimney Rock Smokehouse, was damaged.

Glenn and Terri also volunteer. Their home flooded beyond repair after rising water almost reached the second floor. Their business, Chimney Rock Inn & Cottages, is now inoperable.

Volunteers Bruce and Becca lost their home, all their possessions, and their business, Coffee on the Rocks.

But saying the volunteers of Chimney Rock Fire Department are full of hope is an understatement. They're ready to rebuild. They refuse to let the destruction bring them down. This has been their home, and it will remain their home. They went out of their way to help us when we were there to aid them. True to the nature of their community, the CRVFD family were perfect hosts at a time when they were dealing with so much.

For five days, our team stayed at the firehouse to assist with anything they needed. But we want to do more. We're raising money to support the Chimney Rock Volunteer Fire Department and all its members. Please consider donating! #OneCommunity

Hope Mills Fire Department helping two local residents get safely back to their home.

Clearing a path to gain access to one of the town's wells.

Clearing a path to gain access to one of the town's wells.

A team from Chimney Rock, Gray's Creek and Hope Mills Fire Departments hiked to retrieve items from a Lake Lure police cruiser that had been washed away.