Help David's Family Rebuild After Tropical Storm Chantal

Urgent Help Needed After Tropical Storm Chantal.

Hi, my name is David, and I live with my parents in Carrboro, NC. This is incredibly difficult for me to admit, but my family and I urgently need help.

Our neighborhood and our home of 20 years were hit hard by the recent storm, and like many others, we experienced severe flooding. Our cars were totaled, and countless belongings were destroyed or contaminated by dirty, bacterial water. The only habitable parts of the house have no air conditioning because the electrical system was damaged.

Getting my frightened senior St. Bernard into a small boat for evacuation was a struggle, but emergency responders were able to get us to safety.

The flood wiped out years of my mother's artwork and many priceless family artifacts, photos, and cherished childhood memories. To make matters worse, I don't have comprehensive car insurance, leaving me with about $10,000 in payments for a car that no longer runs.

On top of this, I'm actively looking for work and am a student at Wake Tech, which is a 40-minute commute. Without reliable transportation, finding employment feels three times as difficult. I will likely have to withdraw from my current summer courses or risk failing my finals, despite only having two weeks left. I'll also have to take an indefinite break from school next semester to focus on debts and repairs. My parents rely entirely on social security, so we have no financial safety net.

We do have home insurance, but unfortunately, no flood insurance. We were recently told, like many in our neighborhood, that it was no longer required.

This situation has also taken a significant toll on my mental health. I'm almost through my first year of sobriety, and while I'm committed to staying on track, the immense stress has amplified cravings for old, unhealthy coping habits. I feel drained at a time when I desperately need energy and a clear head.

Thankfully, we've found a temporary place to stay, but it's not a long-term solution. We don't know how long repairs will take, and I'm worried about being separated from my dog, even temporarily. He's deeply shaken, sad, and confused, with a history of abandonment and severe anxiety about storms and separation. I can't imagine putting him through that.

We are truly at a loss and need support to get through this. While I know many people are struggling, any help, even just sharing our story, would be deeply appreciated.

Our goal is currently arbitrary as we're still assessing the full extent of the damages. Every contribution will make a difference as we work to rebuild our lives.