Heiler family flood recovery

Many of you have heard about the historic flash flooding in Haywood County NC last week. Part of the Heiler clan has lived there, right on the banks of the beautiful Pigeon river for over 50 years. My Uncle Mark and Aunt Pam live in the house that they built with my grandparents, and my Cousin Ashton lives in a cabin just across the river.

They have dealt with many small floods over the years, and even recovered from a terrible flood around 25 years ago that nearly destroyed the foundation of the house. But last Tuesday night, rains in the area brought on flash flooding like they had never seen in the area. The Pigeon River reached a record high of nearly 20 feet above it's normal level. Without much warning, they were able to flee the area as the waters were overtaking the bridge at the end of their driveway. They all safely made it out, including their dog and 6 cats, which we are very thankful for, as many people in the area did not.

They are safe, but they have lost everything. The waters at Mark and Pam's reached 5' inside the house, and made it over the roof at Ashton's. Everything inside is a total loss What wasn't ripped out and destroyed by the sheer force of the running water is covered in a thick layer of mud up to 6 inches deep. Not only have they lost all of their belongings, but they have also lost their livelihoods.

Mark and Ashton are exceptionally talented carpenters/cabinet makers that design and build beautiful high-end kitchens. All of the tools that they use for their craft were in the garage and covered by 8' of water. Pam proudly owns and operates "Pam's Homemade Breads" out of a bakery on their property. For the past 30+ years she has put blood, sweat, and tears into that business, and now all of her industrial size baking equipment is gone. Tens of thousands of dollars in tools and bakery equipment are not only gone, but now they have no way of earning money.

These are good, kind, hard working people. If you can find it in your heart, anything you can give to help them get back on their feet and able to work again would be forever appreciated!