Support for The Zara Family After Devastating Flood

My name is Jessica Allred. I am creating this fundraiser to help support my sister and brother-in-law who have lost everything they own due to horrendous flooding in Swannanoa, NC, caused by Hurricane Helene.

I received a FaceTime call at 8:26 AM from my sister today letting me know that they were trapped in their house. She said the water was already up to the trunk of her GMC SUV, and she knew they needed to be evacuated, but she could not get her calls for help to go through.

At 9:15, she called back screaming that water was flooding into the house. She was in total panic and yelled for me to call 911. My location is two hours from her and in a different state. I called 911, and my dispatcher sent the call to Charlotte. The dispatcher in Charlotte routed the call to a dispatcher in Buncombe County. The dispatcher told me everyone in the area needed the same thing and for them to hold on, that help was coming.

I tried calling them back to let them know, but no one answered. I called over and over but never got an answer.

I now know that around the same time I was on the phone with 911, my brother-in-law got a call in to 911, too. They advised him to get everyone into the attic. My sister, brother-in-law, nephews (ages 7 and 2), and their pets got into the attic as water took over their home.

At 11:20, my sister called to say a neighbor had rescued them using a kayak. She and my nephews were out and at a house on another street. The kayaking neighbor was going back for my brother-in-law. I hope he was able to save their pets, too.

I still do not know the outcome.

I haven't heard from them again. Not knowing is hard. But, it is nothing compared to what they are enduring today and what they will be going through in the coming weeks.

I am creating this fundraiser to help support my sister and brother-in-law who have lost everything they own due to horrendous flooding in Swannanoa, NC, caused by Hurricane Helene. Funds raised will be used to purchase clothing, toiletries, household items, cleaning supplies, food, and other items that are necessary to get back on their feet.