Help Mark & Emily Rebuild and Recover from Hurricane Helene
Donation protected
Hello, my name is Katie Murray and I live in Durham, NC. I am raising emergency funds for my friends Mark Dempsey and Emily Ogburn from Swannanoa, NC to help them rebuild Mark's homestead, which was destroyed during Hurricane Helene. Anyone who knows Mark and Emily will tell you that they are two of the most passionate, kind, generous, and selfless people they know. Both have spent their careers dedicated to mission-driven work that supports their community and the planet. They have helped so many, and now they really need our help.
On September 27th, over just a couple of hours, Mark's house, workshop, and beloved garden were all but swallowed by the Swannanoa River. His home, which was flooded to the ceiling, will have to be gutted and rebuilt. His workshop was crushed by a displaced car, and his garden and farm research plots are now covered in layers of mud and piles of debris.
His two friends, their three cats, and their dog had to swim in chest-high water to barely escape the house in time. Thankfully Mark was in South Carolina that day, but Emily, who lives just a couple of streets away, witnessed the rapidly rising waters firsthand. Unable to escape her neighborhood, she heard neighbors yelling in the distance for help, unsure of how to get to safety. Devastatingly, some of them didn't survive. The trauma of that day is something Emily is just now starting to process. She and Mark are heartbroken by the staggering loss of life and property in Swannanoa and beyond.
Mark bought his home 9 years ago and instantly fell in love with the big windows, bright spaces, and cozy vibe. The neighbors were warm and welcoming. Over the years it was a place where he and Emily gathered friends and family and shared many amazing memories and meals. Mark used the big yard as a testing ground for his small-scale grain farming and research dreams and was hoping to soon outgrow the garden space as he built ever-larger farming machines in his garage workshop to help farmers adapt to climate change. He was proud of all he had worked so hard to create over the years. It was his beloved home and his life’s investment.
Mark and Emily are determined to rebuild this special place that means so much to them, but they really need your help to do so. Homeowners insurance does not cover any of the damage as the house had no flood insurance, like most homes affected in Western, NC. FEMA assistance is a hopeful prospect but will not cover the entire cost to clean, remediate, and rebuild the homestead.
If you are able, any and all donations are welcome. Mark and Emily deeply appreciate your support and love during this incredibly difficult time.
Organizer and beneficiary
Katie Murray
Organizer
Swannanoa, NC
Emily Ogburn
Beneficiary