Please help with rebuild after this devastating flood

I am saddened by Hurricane Helene's destruction of our Cane River Community in Burnsville, North Carolina.

Here is the video of the Hurricane and its results:

https://youtu.be/itsONXH3rsc

All that we've poured our hearts into has been damaged or destroyed. Now, we all face the long road of rebuilding our lives from the ground up.

My name is Van, and I have been a community member since 1998. I received a small inheritance from my father about 15 years ago that helped me purchase this old home at 7765 Hwy 19W. With sweat equity and help from friends, we remodeled the inside and outside of the home.

I met John from the staff at the local elementary school his son was attending. John, a single dad, is disabled with a severe heart condition and has been unable to work and needed a home to raise his young son. I provided John and his son with a home for over seven years. It was precisely what they needed at a cost that John could afford (less than 1/2 of the going rental rate). I never made a profit and contributed what was required to maintain and improve the home. It brought me joy to see the independence that John and his son experienced by having a stable, clean, safe, and affordable home.

During this time John and his son became valued and trusted members of the community and my friends.

Now, the home that John, his son, and I so loved, along with all their lifelong possessions, has been swept away by the flash flood devastation from Hurricane Helene https://youtu.be/itsONXH3rsc

NOTHING remains of the structures, it's contents, or any of our belongings. The insurance companies have denied both renters and homeowners coverage and are washing their hands since it was “a flood.”

Hurricane Helene on September 27, 2024, at approximately 07:45 AM, caused the peaceful Cane River to rise about 38 feet and took everything! John was awoken when the power went out as he stepped outside the water began to enter the house. He attempted to move his truck to higher grounds when it sank like a quicksand. John indeed could have lost his life were it not for neighbors throwing him a rope and pulling him to safety onto higher grounds uphill from the house. The house was ripped off the foundation and floated down the river just then. John was forced to relocate to a public shelter for some time while his son is being cared for by his mom.

The proceeds from this request will go to help me and my community rebuild. Any help is so much appreciated; thank you! With help, rebuilding is possible on higher grounds.

I’m greatly appreciative of all the donations. When we are stable enough in the area to start working on rebuilding, I will document how the proceeds are used.

Here is a link to a video and stills taken a few days after the storm: https://youtu.be/itsONXH3rsc I also have a few pictures of what the area looked like before the devastating flood. Again, I am so grateful for any donation.

Thank you!