Help Us, the Schuler Family, Recover After Helene in WNC

Thank you. Y’all did it! Our original goal is met! If you’d still like to help, we’ll apply any additional funds toward our second $10,000 deductible.

Help Us (The Schuler Family) Recover in Hendersonville, NC After Major Flood Damage from Hurricane Helene

Our family, like many in Western North Carolina, is facing a massive recovery effort after Hurricane Helene caused widespread destruction. The storm’s flooding left our home with over $100,000 in damages, but unfortunately, not all of this is covered by insurance. While we’re grateful for the coverage we do have, we’re left with two significant deductibles—$10,000 for structural repairs and $10,000 for personal belongings.

What Happened:

The floodwaters submerged our crawlspace and reached over 1/2 a foot into the first floor (2 feet in the garage), damaging personal belongings, appliances, furniture, flooring, walls, and critical systems like HVAC and water heater. We’re also dealing with mold issues due to the flood (fun fact: mold remediation is not covered by flood insurance) which must be addressed to ensure our home is safe. Despite insurance, the total deductible amount of $20,000 is beyond what we can manage on our own.

Our Goal:

We are focusing this fundraiser on covering the $10,000 deductible specifically for personal belongings. Because the personal property loss is likely to only match the deductible, we won’t be reimbursed for replacing these losses. Meeting this goal will help us replace necessary items like furniture, clothing, and appliances that were destroyed.

Where the Funds Will Be Used:

Every donation will go toward:

• Replacement of Belongings: This includes furniture, appliances, and personal items not covered by insurance.

• Structural and Safety Repairs: Any extra support will go toward addressing mold issues and critical repairs, like restoring heating and water systems, so we can make our home safe and livable again.

Why We’re Asking for Help:

We did not buy our home located in a floodplain. The FEMA flood maps were reassessed years after our purchase. Being in a 500-year floodplain, we never anticipated flooding of this scale. Even with flood insurance, our deductibles are a significant financial burden that limits our ability to replace what we’ve lost. Your support will make a crucial difference in helping us recover, restoring personal items we rely on, and ensuring a safe home for our family.

We are incredibly grateful for any help you can offer. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to recovery. Please share our story if you’re able—it would mean so much to us.

With heartfelt thanks,

The Schuler Family: Reece, Melissa, Emma, Andrew & Annabel plus our pets, Bugs & Joe Jett