Families continue to rebuild six months after Hurricane Helene flooding

Yahoo

28-03-2025

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Bryan Nicholas is looking forward to simple pleasures in life after he and his girlfriend, Crystal Britt, lost their Erwin, TN, home and nearly everything inside of it during Hurricane Helene's floods.
'Sitting on a couch, actually a comfortable couch and just relaxing,' Nicholas said.
After the floods, the couple initially lived in a tent before moving into a donated camper.
'My girlfriend says this camping trip has been too long. She doesn't want to go camping ever again,' said Nicholas.
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Appalachia Service Project (ASP) is working to make that happen. The group has already repaired four houses and completed 12, and 31 more are currently under construction. Nicholas and Britt hope to be in their home this summer.
'Nobody foresaw what happened here with Hurricane Helene. In turn, though, the response to it from people, from friends, donors, and stakeholders has been equally unprecedented in our minds,' said Chris Schroeder, ASP Vice-President of New Build and Recovery.
ASP recently teamed up with Grace Fellowship Church in Johnson City for a mission called '5 in 25.' The mission was to raise $250,000 to help build five homes. ASP quickly surpassed that goal; the list now stands at 18 houses and counting.
'Where we are at today is close to $900,000, but our church has always had a heart for people who are going through hardship,' said Lead Pastor of Grace Fellowship Matt Murphy. 'And so clearly, this need and this opportunity have resonated with our church.'
Drew Folker is among the Purdue University students who spent their spring break in Carter County. The students teamed up with Meade's Branch Baptist Church from Louisville, Kentucky, to rebuild homes near Hampton.
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'I just thought it would be a good use of our time rather than, you know, going, hanging out pretty much doing what we do all the time to, you know, go help out some people who really need it,' said Folker.
'I think they've enjoyed the learning process. But that sense of helping people in the community has made such a difference in their lives. They really enjoy it,' said Roy May, Meade's Branch Baptist Church member.
In Johnson County, Tennessee, Kathy Church and her husband, Marion, are getting help from volunteers to rebuild their home.
'It's wonderful that we have people who really care about people, getting them back in their homes. I'm just thankful. I'm thankful to my Lord that he made that possible for us, ' Church said.
During the toughest times, the entire Tri-Cities community has shone brightly, with neighbors helping each other near and far, giving people like Bryan and Crystal hope for a new and better beginning.
'The community here has been amazing. I never expected this community or the surrounding communities, actually, something like this to happen to come together and help each other out,' Nicholas said.
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