Support the Sullivan-Dawes Family's Recovery

Hi everybody: This is Sarah Sullivan…Katharine Sullivan-Dawes’s sister. With a heavy heart, we are sharing that the Sullivan-Dawes family lost their beloved home in Black Mountain, North Carolina to Hurricane Helene. Now, they are facing astronomical costs. We're setting a goal of $50,000 for them to have the funds to get long term-replacement housing and funds to rebuild. We know the only real safety net in times like this is community - thank you for being that for us. More details of the story below...

We are so grateful that Katharine, Seth, Bradshaw, and their dog Rosie are safe and sound. Just before the storm, the family traveled out of town on a much anticipated trip to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. It’s truly a miracle that they were gone, because on the morning of their anniversary, the peaceful Swannanoa River next to their house swelled into a raging river that ultimately swallowed their home and belongings. Reportedly, the Swannanoa River swelled from its average of 1.5 feet to an unprecedented 26 feet. Their lives would have been held in a precarious balance had they been home during the storm. We’re so grateful they are safe.

Thankful for their safety, the family is now facing the reality that the water rose 3 feet inside their home, left inches of mud behind in each room, and destroyed their home as they know it. Thankfully, Kat and Seth have flood insurance that will cover some damages to the home. But, it won't cover any of the costs it will take to provide them long-term substitute rental housing in North Carolina or the costs to replace items inside the home like all of the beds, couch, other furniture, clothes, children’s books, toys, etc. We expect they will need $18,000-$36,000 to cover 6-12 months of rent for substitute housing. Any funds donated here will go directly toward these rental costs and to purchase replacement goods to make a home.

Unfortunately, the flood also swallowed a beautiful, vintage airstream trailer that Katharine and Seth had renovated and turned into a popular Airbnb. This takes away an important income source for the family, at a time when they are also recovering from Seth recently losing his job this year. Unfortunately, they still owed $30,000 on the purchase of the vintage airstream, and it is not included in insurance coverage.

As soon as they could, the Sullivan-Dawes family along with John, Kay, and Sergey Sullivan and several generously devoted Winthrop staff from Florida made it to Black Mountain to save what they can of their belongings and home. Together, they have been working around the clock without power, water, or much cell communication or supplies, all while helping neighbors and friends where they can as well. The path forward is unclear, but we know that Katharine, Seth, and Bradshaw will not be able to live in their home for 6 months or longer. And it is unclear what will come of the house – whether or not it can be made liveable again or if it will need to be demolished and rebuilt.

As you know, the extended Sullivan family is very tight knit and committed to helping each other. We will make sure the Sullivan-Dawes family has temporary housing in Florida and that all their basic needs are met, of course. Unfortunately though, the Sullivan-Dawes crew are not the only ones in our family who lost their homes in this storm. Three households and a total of 11 family members are currently displaced. My aunt Mary (Kay’s sister) lost her home in Florida and my cousin Christen (Mary’s daughter) will be displaced for weeks to months. Currently, Mary and Christen’s 8 family members are all living at my house in Florida.

We’re so grateful to the many, many of you who have reached out to help. Thank you for all of your overwhelming care and support. We will keep you posted about the situation!