Help Botany Woods Rebuild after 500 Year Flood in Asheville

OUR MISSION is to provide relief for the 21+ homes devastated in the neighborhood of Botany Woods, located on the Swannanoa River in Asheville, NC. 

*Large Donations seeking 501C-3 Tax Write-off Deduction please email [email redacted] to coordinate*

News Coverage of Botany Woods: FOUND HERE

Videos and Images Shared by Neighbors: FOUND HERE

10.3 Update: Jennifer Webber has been found and is recovering

10.5 Update: Lyn McFarland and dog, Poco confirmed deceased

My name is Patrick Hamel, resident of Botany Woods, organizing support for our close-knit community. I moved to Botany Woods with my wife in 2020, and over the last 4 years, we have become family with many, friends with most, and neighbors with all. The Botany Woods neighborhood is a special place where we help one another and have each other's back no matter our views or opinions. It's where Lori and I have established our forever home and where many had already done so 30+ years ago. We love this place so much that Lori and I got engaged on the Swannanoa in our neighborhood. It's our safe and happy place. So much so, we encouraged friends and family to stay in the neighborhood for our wedding weekend on Aug 31, utilizing some neighbors' homes on the river... homes now gone.

Now, it will never be the same.

Two streets have been devastated: Riverbend Road and Driftwood Court. With a combined 28 properties, we know that 21 have been swept away and that 7 others may be (somewhat) intact but suffer complete loss. The majority of the 28 homes do not have flood insurance. Most are even out of the flood plain! This 500-year storm's financial impact on these homeowners is tragic. Many will be unable to rebuild due to property erosion and have suffered a total loss.

If we reach our goal, we will be able to provide ~$50,000 per family to support their rebuild: things like... paying to a current mortgage (on a home no longer there), renting an apartment, and groceries over the next year.

We know that if these neighbors only rely on FEMA's disaster relief funds, they will not have enough to manage the next year, let alone rebuild ANYTHING. Please know we will be supporting these neighbors in the FEMA application process also.

Though FEMA and GoFundMe will be a huge help, it won't reach but 25-30% of what homeowners will need financially over the next few years. However, this will give them firmer ground to stand on, firmer ground to rebuild...

Thank you for making a direct impact on a community we love dearly.

WNC is strong. We rise up and rebuild together!