Sharing my parent's story: "My name is Beverly, and my family and I have just survived a catastrophic event caused by Hurricane Helene in Hendersonville, NC. In the midst of the storm, a sudden mudslide crashed into our home, forcing us to flee and leaving us with significant losses. My daughter was injured, but we are grateful to be alive.

We have lived in Hendersonville, NC since 2006 and have witnessed many storms, but never the severe flooding and damage that came with Hurricane Helene. During the storm, my husband, my daughter, and my two young grandchildren sheltered in my home to wait it out. We could not have possibly predicted the devastation that would occur in our valley.

Our entire valley was flooded, with possessions being carried away. Our home sat further back against a mountainside, and we watched the water reach our porch, debating what to do next. Unfortunately, before we could decide, a mudslide crashed into our home, forcing us to flee for our lives, with only the clothes on our back. The dining room floor ripped open, pulling my daughter and her 21-month-old baby into the gaping hole and breaking her kneecap. We spent the next several hours in our car, hoping for the storm to pass and praying for safety.

We are incredibly grateful to walk away from this with only a broken bone, and our hearts go out to the community who have suffered around us. We are thankful for our neighbors who offered us shelter and comfort after the water receded.

We are temporarily residing with family in South Carolina as we consider our next steps. As we anticipate being unable to work indefinitely, we will need funds to provide for basic essentials as well as support in paying for a rental home on top of our mortgage. We ask for any kindness and support that you can give us as we start over."