Help Restore Wanda's Life After Devastating Hurricane Flood

Dear Friends, Family, and Kind-Hearted Strangers,

My family and I are reaching out during an unimaginable time of loss and heartbreak. As many of you may know, Greeneville, TN, was recently hit by a catastrophic flood caused by the Nolichucky River, which surged to a record-breaking flow—nearly double that of Niagara Falls. Sadly, my beloved grandmother, Wanda Gibson, has found herself in the center of this devastation, with her home severely damaged by the floodwaters.

The flood was nothing short of a nightmare. Wanda’s house sits on a bluff, over 40 feet above the normal water level, yet the water climbed so high that several feet of it entered her home. Her house was never in a designated floodplain, so she made the decision, as many in her position would, to let her flood insurance policy lapse. None of us could have imagined that the river would rise to this extent. Now, her once-warm and welcoming home is filled with inches of mud, and the foundation, which we fear has been compromised, is crumbling beneath her.

Just one week before the flood, Wanda faced another heartbreaking loss: the passing of Richard Stern, her significant other, on September 20th. The combination of these tragedies has left her and our family reeling. She is now without a place to call home, grieving the loss of her partner, and facing the overwhelming reality of rebuilding her life.

To give you a glimpse of the person you’re helping, let me tell you about Wanda Gibson. She has always been the kind of person to give more than she receives, welcoming others into her home with open arms and an open heart. Her compassion knows no bounds. For years, she’s been the one to cook meals for others in need, volunteer her time, and provide a shoulder to cry on for anyone who needed it. She’s never asked for anything in return. It’s in her nature to love and to give, and now we are asking for help in giving back to her in her greatest time of need.

At this moment, we are humbly asking for any support you can offer to help cover the immediate needs Wanda is facing. The costs ahead are immense—temporary housing, food, water, transportation, and basic necessities are needed while she rebuilds her life. Beyond that, we need to bring professionals to her home for a full inspection and repair, and we’re bracing for what could be extensive structural damage. It’s hard to know exactly how deep the damage runs, but her home is uninhabitable in its current state.

With so much uncertainty, one thing is clear: she cannot do this alone. We’ve created this GoFundMe campaign to provide Wanda with the support she desperately needs. Funds raised will go toward temporary housing and basic living expenses, professional inspections and repairs for her home, and other essentials during this difficult recovery process.

We know these times are hard for everyone, and any contribution, no matter how small, will be received with immense gratitude. Even if you’re unable to contribute financially, sharing this campaign with your network could make all the difference. Every bit of kindness adds up, and together, we can help Wanda Gibson find her way back to stability after such an unfathomable loss.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your compassion, generosity, and willingness to help a truly wonderful woman in her time of need. Knowing how strong and resilient Wanda is, we have faith that she will rebuild. But right now, she needs her community to rally around her—and that’s why we’re turning to you.

With deepest gratitude,

Daniel Fletcher & Family