Help Nora and Karsten Rebuild After Hurricane Helene

We’re reaching out to support our friends, Nora Abbott and Karsten Olson, who lost everything to Hurricane Helene when it hit Asheville, NC on September 27.

Karsten woke up that morning to a knock from a neighbor telling him to move his car to higher ground, but water was rising much more quickly than anyone in the building anticipated. Within the hour, Karsten, disoriented and distressed, found himself fleeing with only his cat, his wallet, and the book he had been reading the night before. After making it out of Asheville, he was stranded at a gas station for many hours due to blocked roads, but eventually made it to safety.

The apartment he and his wife Nora have lived in for the past five years, however, was not so fortunate. The water rose past the second floor, meaning that their first-story home was not only flooded, but completely underwater. If you haven’t seen devastation like this before, it’s hard to imagine. The water itself did immense damage—collapsing ceilings, buckling walls, laying waste to any electronics, and tossing their refrigerator and 500+ lb. piano around like children’s toys. But when the water finally receded, it also left behind a thick layer of toxic mud and bursts of poisonous mold that spread quickly to every closet and cupboard.

After the roads were finally safe enough to travel, Nora and Karsten returned to their destroyed apartment to salvage anything that they could. They came away with muddy photos from their childhoods and recent wedding, a handful of floodwater-filled Christmas ornaments collected as part of a yearly tradition, and molding diplomas. Nearly everything else—furniture, clothes, dishes, books, and beyond—was destroyed through water, mud, and mold.

Thankfully, both Nora and Karsten are able to work remotely for the next couple months, enabling the two of them to stay with family friends in Minnesota while they contend with the daunting task of rebuilding their lives, community, and home. Any funds raised will go directly to helping Nora and Karsten with this formidable challenge: a security deposit on a new apartment, clothing, furniture, and other basic necessities. We appreciate anything and everything that you can give—no amount is too small. If you aren’t able to donate, please share on your social media. Thank you for your support in this time of great need.

Together we are Asheville Strong come hell or high water!

This campaign is being organized by Doria and Betsy, friends of Karsten and Nora.