Support Lisa Whittenburg’s Family After Hurricane Helene

As many of you know, Hurricane Helene has caused astronomical amounts of pain and destruction in Western North Carolina. As a native of Asheville, NC, that is home. My family, friends, and heart still remain deeply rooted in the city.

Close family friends of mine are currently facing a devastating reality after Helene, being left with absolutely nothing.

The family of four - mother, Lisa, daughter, Cynia, and two sons, Jaheim and Navante - woke up early on September 27 to find their cars entirely submerged beneath water and no way out of their home. With phone service wiped out, no one in the area was made aware of the supposed evacuation notice that had been issued merely hours before the hurricane was to hit, leaving everyone unprepared as a massive understatement. And despite countless calls for help and continuous promises for rescue in one of the hardest hit areas, it never came. The water continued to rise, eventually overtaking their apartment and all of their belongings including their clothes, cherished family photos, essentials and electronics for school/work, and crucial medication for mother, Lisa, to name a few. Leaving everything entirely unsalvageable.

Their family was forced to take refuge on the third floor of the apartment building with the rest of the apartment residents. They waited helplessly in fear for their lives as waters rose and U-haul trailers from across the street slammed into their building, threatening to rip apart the one barrier between them and the outside world. The water didn’t begin to recede until 8am the following morning.

Their family had no choice but to face the unimaginable conditions on their own in order to reach safer grounds. Cynia was able to find a blow-up mattress to use as a float for mother, Lisa, who is unable to swim. Together, they miraculously navigated their way through deep, treacherous waters, crawling through mud, dodging downed power lines, floating vehicles and trailers, and even entire homes that the hurricane had swept away. They finally reached a parking lot nearby that offered some relief from the conditions. This is where they waited helplessly until a community van picked them up that was transporting stranded individuals to safety points.

This family needs all the support they can get right now. Their home is gone. They have no where and nothing to go back to. They are currently living with an elderly family member in a one bedroom apartment with a total of seven people, no belongings and very very little resources.

If you can and are able, please open up your hearts and donate to help this family get back on their feet. It is impossible for them to pick up the pieces alone. All proceeds will go directly to them and their needs. If you aren’t able to donate, please share this families story. Anything and everything helps. Thank you endlessly.

-From Navante:

“Dear friends and community, our family is desperately reaching out for support as we navigate this traumatic experience and begin to rebuild our lives. Your generosity will help us cover immediate needs, such as temporary housing and basic living essentials that were lost to the hurricane. Our family thanks you for your kindness and support during this scary, challenging time. Together, we can help our family begin to heal and rebuild from such tragedy. With gratitude and love”

Jaheim, Cynia, Navante

Heading pictures:

(#1: Navante (far left), Jaheim (middle), Lisa (middle), Cynia (far right)

(#2: Surrounding area outside the families apartment on Tunnel road in Asheville, NC)