Love to the Larkin Family

Hi. We are Kate, Johann, and James Larkin, from West Orange NJ. This is our only fundraiser. All funds raised will go directly to repairs on our our house (see bullet list below) and getting the house safe to live in. Kate and Johann are responsible for raising and using the funds.

We are asking for financial help because, on September 1st 2021, Hurricane Ida caused a flash flood through the basement of our house. 

We need your help to replace the parts of our home that were destroyed, in order of urgency:
• the electrical panels and breakers

• all of the wiring in the basement that was compromised by water
• the furnace
• the water heater
• the washer/dryer

 

Because West Orange NJ is not in a flood zone, we did not have flood insurance. Our house is on the uphill side of our street, on a mountain, and not near any large bodies of water. But the flood came down through our back yard, directly down our basement steps, knocking the door off its hinges, and floodwater filled the basement up to the ceiling. Basement windows broke from the pressure, so some water was able to escape. The fire department of West Orange came the next day and worked to pump out the eight feet of water remaining in our basement. Neighbors and friends came after that and shoveled mud. Johann also spent many hours and days shoveling mud and becoming an expert on flood damage, especially mold.

 

Those repairs and appliances will cost tens of thousands of dollars. We have applied for help from FEMA and the SBA. However, our expenses will probably exceed what if any financial help we’ll receive through those channels.

 

Thank you for contributing what you can, it will make a difference!