Help Rebuild Chimney Rock: The Carter Lodge Family's Plea

I pray everyone who reads this is safe and well. My name is Tiffany Speare, and my family owns The Carter Lodge in Chimney Rock, NC. As many of you have already heard, the town of Chimney Rock has been completely destroyed from hurricane Helene. Those of you that know us, know that we are a family-owned lodge in the heart of Chimney Rock, NC. My Uncle Derek had moved his entire life from Long Island, NY and spent the last 14 months with my husband renovating The Carter Lodge and turning it into the amazing destination in Chimney Rock that so many of you knew and loved. Many of you have met myself, my uncle Derek Hennessey, my husband Allen, and our 2 little girls Cambria and Izabella, and know that the lodge was our home.

Unfortunately, we were not able to leave the hotel in time, as we had guests at the lodge and did not want to leave them behind. Friday morning, my family along including my cousin Caitlin Hennessey, and all of our guests sat together in the main part of the lodge and watched in terror as the town was literally being washed away down the Rocky Broad River. We witnessed entire homes being carried away and swallowed up by raging 40ft waters.

Many of these homes still had people in them, and all we could do was pray. Our Main Street Deli was ripped from the lodge and taken by the river right in front of our very eyes. When more of the lodge from that point was being torn apart and washed away, we decided we had no choice but to leave. With nowhere to go our family and guests rushed to our vehicles in attempt to reach the highest point in Chimney Rock possible.

With fallen trees and down power lines we were unable to make it far. We all just sat in fear and prayed. My 2 little girls Cambria 7, and Izabella 5, were beyond terrified, but stayed strong and I’m so proud of them for that. By the good grace of God, we survived this catastrophic event, and we could not be more grateful! Many of the town's residents were not so lucky.

With the roads to and from Chimney Rock either washed away or stacked 15 feet high with debris we were trapped for 2 days. One of our guests was badly injured and suffered 2 broken knees when a power pole fell on them, another guest was 90-year-old gentlemen that had stayed with us for a week prior and was running out of oxygen. We were finally able to get them to the firehouse where they could be airlifted to safety. And we too were finally able to leave Chimney Rock and take shelter in nearby Lake Lure. While we are safe at this point, we are still without water, power, and communication. I’m thankful the local fire department has star link which is how I’m able to reach you all now.

I want to thank many of you who have sent emails in concern. Thank you for the thoughts and prayers and I will respond to each of you as soon as I get stable internet connection!

We are now humbly asking for your help as we take on the responsibility of rebuilding our town and rebuilding our lives while helping others do the same. We would appreciate even the smallest donation! Anything will help.

I’m sure there will be a lot of GoFundMe pages asking for donations (many of which are probably illegitimate). Just know that we are a real family here in Chimney Rock, NC who called The Carter Lodge home, and I know there are many of you who felt The Carter Lodge was your home away from home as well. One step at a time we will rebuild our home and our town, and we will all meet again!

Your donation will be more than appreciated, and your thoughts and prayers are appreciated more than you know!

You can reach us by email at [email redacted] or [email redacted]