Help Colston Byrd Rebuild After Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene tore through Western North Carolina, leaving a trail of destruction and loss in its wake. Communities across the region were hit hard, and for my brother Colston, the impact was life-changing.

On September 27th, Colston was in his home in Bat Cave, North Carolina, when a landslide

triggered by the hurricane roared through his house, demolishing it with him still inside.

Miraculously, he survived the initial impact but sustained serious injuries, including trauma to his head, ribs, and left lung. Despite being injured and having a hard time breathing, Colston fought his way through the debris and began climbing to safety.

After making it out, Colston found shelter with a wonderful couple who helped keep him alive and as comfortable as possible until emergency responders arrived. After 22 hours, an emergency flight team found and rescued him. He was rushed to a nearby hospital outside of Asheville that, in the aftermath of the hurricane, had no running water and was relying on generators.

Our family was finally able to connect with Colston once he arrived at the hospital. After navigating several challenges, we were able to transport him to Atrium-Main Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he's now receiving exceptional care.

While Colston is in great spirits and is expected to make a full recovery, the road ahead is long.

He has been diagnosed with a concussion, rib fractures, and a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) requiring a chest tube. He also has numerous lacerations on his head and body. Beyond the physical toll, Colston lost his car, home and everything inside it. He was not able to take even a single item of clothing during his escape. Fortunately, his beloved 12 year-old toy poodle, Tom, was staying with a friend during the storm and is safe.

For those who know Colston, they know they love him. He has a kind-hearted spirit and a wonderful sense of humor, the type of person whose presence lights up a room. For many years, Colston has been a beloved supporter of Asheville's arts and music community. He owns a company that upcycles retro video game consoles into instruments that are used by many artists and music venues in the local community and around the world. His Circuit-Bending Workshop, which was the hub for his creative work, was also destroyed in the landslide.

Now, Colston needs our help to rebuild his life. Any donation, no matter the size, will make a tremendous impact. Your contributions will help cover his medical expenses and provide the support he needs as he starts over. Whether you know Colston through his creative work or you're moved by his story, your generosity means the world to us.

Please consider donating to Colston's GoFundMe or donating via VENMO (Colston-Byrd). Together, we can help him recover from this devastating loss and rebuild his future.