Barry “Hutch” and Ruth Hutchinson—beloved grandparents and great grandparents in their 80s—are facing the unimaginable. After 45 years of living a simple, self-sufficient life on their ten acres in Whatcom County, the Nooksack River has now overtaken their land entirely. Their home is gone. The property continues to erode, at a rapid, dangerous pace, and rebuilding is no longer possible.
What began as slow erosion has accelerated into catastrophic loss.
A Lifetime Built by Hand—Washed Away
Barry and Ruth moved to the property in 1980, joining the “back to nature” movement and embracing a quiet life in the woods. They bought a rustic log cabin—complete with bark still on the logs—nestled beside a small creek. When they first arrived, the river’s edge was a half-hour walk through the woods. They built their life with their own hands—gardening, homesteading, and living gently on the land. Many in the community came to know Barry as “Barry Backhoe,” as he offered affordable backhoe services, often for trade or barter, and was always ready to lend a hand. For decades, this home has been the heart of our family’s memories.
Now it no longer exists.
The Nooksack River has consumed acres of land week by week, and the ground continues to fall away faster than anyone can react. The home site is unsafe, unstable, and uninhabitable. The couple has been forced to evacuate.
A History of Erosion — and Previous Community Support
In 2021, severe flooding destroyed the guest cabin on the property—an affordable Airbnb that helped supplement their limited income. At that time, incredibly generous donations through a previous GoFundMe raised $3,000, which helped stabilize one side of the riverbank. That assistance gave them hope and bought precious time.
But now the river has shifted and attacked the property from the opposite direction. The destruction is total.
No Insurance. No Remaining Assets. No Ability to Rebuild.
Barry and Ruth have no insurance coverage—their policy was canceled 20 years ago due to an unrelated roof issue and was unable to be reinstated after the roof was repaired. They are now elderly, on fixed income, and facing complete displacement. The land is too unstable to rebuild, too dangerous to inhabit, and too far gone for simple repair.
What Your Donations Will Support
Your contribution will help Barry and Ruth with immediate and urgent needs:
• Emergency housing
• Replacement of essential belongings lost in the collapse
• Moving and storage costs
• Basic living expenses while they work with local agencies
• Legal, environmental, or engineering consultations, if needed
• Long-term relocation support
Barry and Ruth are humble, private people who never imagined they would need to ask for help like this. But losing a home after 45 years—especially in your 80s—is a crisis no one can navigate alone.
How You Can Help
If you are able, please consider donating to support them through this devastating loss. No amount is too small. And if you cannot contribute financially, sharing this GoFundMe means the world.
From our family to yours—thank you for your compassion, your generosity, and your support during the most painful moment of their lives.
With heartfelt thanks,
-Nicole Brittenham & Family