Hurricane Helene Relief: Critical Aid needed for Bent Creek
Donation protected
My name is Erin Mankiller-Szczepaniak, and I’m a Crisis Nurse volunteering in Appalachia (Western NC) in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. I have had boots on the ground in some of the worst impacted areas. Multiple families in WNC are relying on me and the team I am part of to get through the winter, and to rebuild. I have recorded testimony from locals stating how our team and a few like us are the only ones helping them, and Jeff authorizing me to set up this fundraiser (Posted in video at the bottom of this summary, which has to be watched on YouTube because of the age restriction on it. There is nothing graphic, but it’s still heavy for children to read/see, and parents should decide.) Also, here is Savage Freedoms Press Release regarding my efforts.
There is one community in particular that I feel is in need of an immediate, effective, and efficient, quality intervention. The residents of Bent Creek (including the areas of Little Creek and Bloody Fork Rd) are cut off from the rest of their community due to the collapse of the section of NC-19W that extends north towards Sioux, NC from Burnsville, NC. What is now barely a one-lane road in many places continues to crumble and collapse as it is driven on.
With winter fast approaching, nighttime temperatures already below freezing, paired with recent sunny days that have reached up to 80 degrees, and a drastic increase in “disaster tourism” all contributing to the deterioration of a small outskirts mountain holler population, residents now face a grim reality.
Their vehicles, their homes, their neighbors’ homes, and even some of their friends and family now lie buried in a section of the Cane River near their homes. The dangerous roads to access the rest of civilization to attend medical appointments, get groceries, or other needed supplies create a major obstacle to survival and home repair. Residents are faced with their properties being condemned if they can’t get things fixed in time, which would see them torn from lands that have been in their families for generations, often resulting in homelessness for those without jobs due to their businesses no longer existing, insurance battles resulting in delayed or non-payment, and limited, fixed incomes of those who are retired on social security.
However, with some inventive purchases and donations, we can SAVE BENT CREEK‼️
#1: We need enclosed side-by-sides so that residents have light enough vehicles to travel while preserving the roads, that will keep elders and children traveling to and from town warmer through the winter than a basic ATV or open side-by-side. These are the most likely vehicles to reduce the likelihood of deterioration of the roads that are left. One of the enclosed kind, if we can’t find a used one, costs $35,000. This community needs AT LEAST TWO immediately. Ideally, 3-4, so that in the event of an emergency (ambulances can’t fit down/navigate several sections of road in the area), if others are being utilized for appointments or basic necessities. This would make it possible to meet emergency services in an area safe for them to travel in.
#2. We need to purchase or receive donated 4x4 vehicles to transport building supplies into the community via driving as far as possible, then transferring to the side-by-sides. Used is just fine. It’s about getting the job done. Insurance companies are refusing to pay claims on vehicles they can’t find. However, if all home materials are secured quickly enough, there are volunteer organizations currently in the area such as Savage Freedoms Relief Operations (#SavageOps) and Aerial Recovery, which will airdrop supplies with proper coordination.
*I’ve been back there to what is referred to now as “The Graveyard” section of Burnsville, in Bent Creek. These vehicles are collapsed, often under mud, trees, and other debris. Insurance won’t pay to have them dug out. The process of utilizing heavy equipment to repair roads, rebuild the banks of the creek, and replace drainage systems and bridges often compacts the mud and vehicles laying in the creek bed further when operators cannot find a way around them. It is beyond cruel that these people are expected to dig out vehicles in an area where it is known bodies are being found, as they were washed into the creek bend with some of the homes and vehicles taken away by the flash flooding. Body parts are commonly being found when debris is moved. These are their family members, their neighbors, their friends. No one should have to endure that level of trauma after surviving Hurricane Helene and being trapped behind downed trees for a week without much food or water because no one there was warned to evacuate. No one knew it would flood like it did. Not even elders who have lived there 50-60 years or more…
#3. We need building supplies to repair these homes. Lumber, siding, shingles, electrical, plumbing, nails, tools, on-demand heaters, energy-efficient refrigeration, wood stoves, and more. Residents did not have flood insurance. Often, flood insurance isn’t offered in areas not considered to be in flood plains. Solar isn’t always a good option due to tree cover and other impediments to sunlight. Thus, these homes will need to be run with dual fuel generators for quite some time, due to the length of time it’s estimated it will take for poles, power lines, and electric service to be re-established.
#4: (NEED IS RESOLVED IN BENT CREEK AREA CURRENTLY, ANY FURTHER STRUCTURES WILL BE PLACED IN OTHER AREAS OF NEED). Modular homes that are up to code and can be insured/tiny homes/easy to build tiny home kits. This is to establish livable structures on properties where repairs will take a long time.
#5: Starlinks—Communications are also expected to remain significantly impacted for a while, leaving donated Starlinks the only access some have to the outside world. (Only have 2 families left in need of these, thanks to Savage Feedoms Relief Operations!)
#6: Consistent shipments/supply drops to successfully address ongoing and evolving needs, from gas and propane to laundry detergent, hygiene supplies, and building materials. Gas and propane supplies are becoming less available due to the financial state residents are in, paired with how many in Appalachia are currently running generators for power. This will continue for several months. WE NEED TANKERS OF GAS AND TRUCKLOADS OF PROPANE‼️ (Thank you Blue Rhino for answering the call and helping! This is still an ongoing need due to the severity of the disaster but, it cannot be understated how much Blue Rhino has helped!)
#7. (NEED FULFILLED) Old concrete mixers capable of having clothes washed in them to be donated. Some houses can share generators if need be if items like washers and dryers are not connected. Inventive ways to wash clothing are imperative, especially as time goes on.
*Now collecting home appliances for those in need as homes are rebuilt for those they can be.
#8: LEGITIMATE CONTRACTORS AND INSPECTORS WILLING TO DONATE TIME, to ensure jobs are done correctly and up to code, to minimize issues moving forward as housing is re-established in the Bent Creek Area of Burnsville.
#9: (NEED FULFILLED‼️) A camper that can be utilized for medical at Bee Log. Chrissy, LPN in charge of that post, has been delivering medical care from a moldy basement. N95s need to be worn by staff handling supplies. She is transitioning to a thin outdoor tent that was donated by Samaritan’s Purse but needs a more viable solution to get through the winter. If the people at Bent Creek have an emergency, this is the closest medical site available. Bee Log is also partially cut off from part of the community it is meant to serve.
A little Bee Log mascot humor for the world…It’s about resilience in the face of despair. Appalachia is built on a foundation of strong people with good hearts and infinite work ethic, when it comes to their communities. They are often forgotten by outsiders.
*I’ve set the financial donation goal lower than it will cost for all these things and other community needs, in hopes supplies are donated directly from businesses and organizations to accommodate everything I cannot with this fundraiser and my own finances. All funds raised will go to necessary supplies and rebuilding efforts for Bent Creek. If any excess funds are left, they will carry over to the next community Savage Enterprises LLC rebuilds!
As stated, the community is okay with using my CashApp $LassieSavage for donations as well, for those who would rather fees not be assessed upon their donations. (Put for Bent Creek in notes) Receipts will absolutely be provided.
Contact info: 9one0- 2two8-eightyfourtwentyeight. (This site hides the number if I put it out directly). I am happy to provide my RN licensure number to those serious about helping, for verification purposes.
My LLC is Savage Enterprises (It is separate from Savage Freedoms Relief Operations, and named as it is due to this being the plan prior to meeting them/my longstanding CashApp of several years being $LassieSavage, as well as my TikTok handle for years). I started the LLC specifically to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene, and can provide proof of registry with the NC Secretary of State for verification.
Jeff & Samantha’s Amazon wishlist:
10-23 Update‼️ Household appliances secured for one home that will be installed upon rebuild!
Renee Langlais, whom we are coordinating with to help residents rebuild took these photos today, 10-28. No one but us few volunteers are helping to clean up. There’s nowhere to put debris. A month later, this is still Bent Creek. We really need side-by-sides, vehicles, fuel (propane and gas), large storage drums for gas, supplies to rebuild, electricians, help with moving debris, and the items stated above to help them get through winter‼️
Organizer
Erin Mankiller-Szczepaniak
Organizer
Burnsville, NC