Stories
Serving our community at Mountain Projects
Clyde Family Faces Floodwaters and an Uncertain Future
“It’s all devastating and heartbreaking,” says Roger. “Sometimes your mind doesn’t work right trying to think about it. But you have to keep the faith. Things happen for a reason. Each step’s gonna be a little bit better. Even this flood, it’s got its reason.”
Harrowing Flood Experience Leads Travelers to Helpers in Haywood
When the flash flood came, the Tuckers had little time to react. The water was suddenly knee deep, and Nathan lashed the couple’s Jeep in place with the car wash hoses. Moments later the water was thigh deep. Nathan boosted Hadeel up onto a chest-high ledge and went back to the vehicle to retrieve their cat, Doodle, and essential documents, wallets and phones.
Staying the Course, Mountain Projects teacher achieves dream at 55
“No matter what your age is, as long as you have breath in your lungs and a heartbeat, you’re not done,” Keffer said. “What I hope to show people is that you can finish your degree at any age. I encourage single moms to push for it – I was once there.”
Tales from the Flood: Sherrie McArthur
“I thought I was prepared after Ivan,” she says, “but this was way more than a 100-year flood.” Hurricane Ivan, in 2004, caused serious, but not catastrophic damage to the campground, and she’d made some infrastructure changes since. Also, she was insured then, but insurance covered very little of the damage. This year she wasn’t insured, and said that she couldn’t have afforded it even if she’d found a willing underwriter.
Tales From the Flood: Brenda and Lee Stroupe
“The Bible says you know a man by his spirit, not by his flesh,” Stroupe says, as she recalls a community that rallied to support its flood victims. But from there she goes on to tell a compelling story of both spirit and flesh – a harrowing tale from Hidden Valley Circle, one of the county’s hardest-hit neighborhoods.
Tales From the Flood: From Wisconsin cold to North Carolina wet
“What was also wonderful is that nobody was asking if you were left or right, blue or red, or what color your skin was,” Crystal said. “Instead they asked us what our needs were and how they could help meet them. It was absolutely wonderful.”