Help Craig and Colin Comeau Rebuild After Hurricane Helene

Help Craig Recover From Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene essentially destroyed my beloved town of Marshall and caused the French Broad River to rise 27 feet above its normal level. It will take years to rebuild. Our caring community has come together in amazing ways to support each other and begin the long process of starting over again.

My home sustained significant damage from flood waters during the hurricane. As I watched the water rise on the day of the storm, I was sure it wouldn’t reach my home, but as many have read and seen, this hurricane was different. It transitioned from a Category 1 to a Category 4 in very little time, and we had experienced heavy rain right before the storm. When I realized that the water was breaching my parking area and I watched my son Colin’s car float away, I grabbed my cat, hopped in my truck, and rushed to higher ground.

I witnessed the water come into my garage and violently slam against

its walls again and again, taking $10,000 worth of tools I had amassed during my long construction career with it, along with job supplies (plumbing pipes and fittings, electrical wiring and fixtures, and wood) furniture I’d made my kids when they were little, a lifetime of artwork, etc. Then water entered my living area, rising to a level of three feet and severely damaging my doors, drywall, insulation, and wiring, and I lost my furniture and appliances.

I have been fortunate in that my son and his good friend have helped me with the arduous task of shoveling out the sewage-laden toxic from my home, cleaning, removing saturated drywall and insulation, and more. I’m now in the process of trying to put my building and life back together, including getting new (to me) appliances from Habitat for Humanity.

Because I have had to devote so much time and money to addressing the problems the hurricane brought, I have deferred badly needed dental work, truck repairs, and other pressing issues.

I have struggled with the decision to ask for help and wouldn’t unless I was in dire straits. Currently, FEMA has dropped my application for assistance and I’ve filed an appeal, but I’ve tapped out my credit cards to acquire replacement tools so Colin and I can continue working on paying projects. We’ve done some volunteer relief work, but had to turn our attention to earning income so we can complete the formidable tasks at hand.

At this point, my list of needs feels a bit overwhelming, but right now Colin and I are working on small, short jobs to earn living expenses and then working on my building until the earned income runs out. Then we start over again. I do not have the funds to purchase materials or hire outside help.

I feel like I am spinning my wheels and advancing at a snail’s pace. My biggest wish is to be able to stay focused and devote the time needed to work on my building so my son and I can have a civilized dwelling to live in again.

I know that countless friends and neighbors have suffered the devastating loss of loved ones and even had their entire homes destroyed by the hurricane, so I am grateful to have my home still. To truly recover, however, I am asking for help — any amount makes a big difference, and I am deeply appreciative of any recovery funds I receive.

I plan to put frequent updates here that show the progress I make.

I am grateful to everyone who has reached out to me to ask about my safety and wellbeing, and how they can help. Thank you.