Help Kurt Kiermont - Lost Everything In A Devastating Flood

Here we see Kurt's Den and Kitchen areas, totally destroyed!

. . . . Photos were taken 2 days after the flood hit.

On August 18, 2024, an unexpected, devastating flood caused severe damage to Oxford! It was one of the hardest hit towns in Connecticut, as they experienced over 16” of rainfall. Our good friend and Oxford resident Kurt Kiermont, has been living in a first floor apartment, to the left of the Brookside Inn Restaurant, for 12 years. Additionally, the “Little River” which contributed to some of the flooding, runs about 16 feet from Kurt’s back door . . Please note: The above photo shows Kurt’s second floor neighbor being rescued from her apartment. You are unable to see Kurt’s first floor apartment which is directly under the second floor. As you can see in this photo, his apartment was completely immersed in water, for hours! All his belongings destroyed!

Our families, who have been friends with Kurt for decades, (1970 & 1977), feel the need to help, and are reaching out on behalf of Kurt for your support. Melissa’s family has taken Kurt in until he gets settled and finds a permanent place to live, which could take months. *Update: As of today, OCT 12, 2024, Kurt is still living with Melissa and family, and continues to fill out applications for a new a new apartment.

Kurt lost everything he owned in this flood, as the flood water filled his apartment from floor to ceiling! Luckily, when Kurt noticed the water starting to seep in under his back door and couldn’t control it, he left the apartment and drove himself to safety. Unfortunately, he had no choice but to leave everything he owned behind. Items such as clothes, four rooms of furniture, washer, dryer, dishwasher, other small appliances, toiletries, towels, electronics, 2 computers, tablet, cell phone, personal and sentimental items, etc. Everything destroyed! He also rented a garage on the property where he kept 2 snow blowers, lawn mower, chain saw, weed wacker, Giant Vac leaf blower, ladders, power tools and many hand tools. The garage was also completely submerged in water, floor to ceiling!

100% of the funds raised from this GoFundMe will go directly to Kurt to help him replace his belongings and start to rebuild his life.

To add to this unexpected disaster, Kurt has not worked at his part time job since May 2023 and has had six major foot/leg operations from June 2023 till August 2024, with one future operation to go. At this time he is still unemployed, and unfortunately did not have flood insurance.

Please consider donating to help our friend get back on his feet during this very stressful time in his life. Just imagine losing everything you own! Putting the loss of material things aside, just being part of a disaster like this can do a number on your nerves and bring on deep anxiety. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a significant impact! Also, please consider sharing this GoFundMe page to others; it can make a huge difference.

Thank you for taking the time to read Kurt’s story. We would also like to thank Albert and Beacon Hose Co. No. 1 for permission to use their photo, and their courageous work and the positive outcome in rescuing 18 people from the Brookside Inn, and Kurt’s second floor neighbor and her dog who were trapped In their apartment. Other flood photos from Beacon Hose Co. 1. can be seen by checking out their FB page : www.facebook.com/BeaconHose

With Gratitude,

Mark and Melissa