Virginia Couple Receives New Home After Hurricane Helene Devastation Thanks to Volunteers

A Virginia couple who narrowly escaped death during Hurricane Helene are back on their feet thanks to dedicated volunteers and nonprofit organizations. Their new home marks a significant milestone in the ongoing project to rebuild houses destroyed by the storm.

New Beginnings for the McMurrays

Carl and Linda McMurray celebrated the completion of their new home during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This event was attended by local leaders, including Governor Glenn Youngkin and Congressman Morgan Griffith, R-Va. The Mennonite Disaster Service led the effort in constructing their new residence.

A Community’s Commitment to Recovery

The overall initiative to rebuild homes for storm victims is estimated to cost around $1.4 million. This funding has been sourced from a variety of public and private contributions, such as Washington County, the Town of Damascus, the United Way, as well as individual donors and private foundations.

Last October, the McMurrays faced harrowing circumstances when floodwaters surged into their home. They sought refuge on the second floor and were forced to wear life jackets as their home deteriorated. Carl was swept away by the rising water but managed to cling to a tree for hours until rescue teams arrived. His ordeal lasted nearly four hours.

Meanwhile, Linda endured a frightening experience alone in the darkened remnants of their home. She relied on the light from her watch to navigate and covered herself with Afghan blankets for warmth.

“All night I kept praying, repeating the Lord’s prayer and the 23rd Psalm,” she recalled in a local news report. Her long wait came to an end when rescuers found her after 16 hours.

Reunion and Recovery

After the flood, Carl and Linda feared they had lost each other. Their reunion came as a profound relief, a testament to their shared faith and resilience. During the ceremony, Governor Youngkin highlighted the heroic efforts of many individuals during the disaster. “There were heroes everywhere, and that was a moment when we needed heroes,” he remarked.

Volunteer Efforts Make a Difference

The Mennonite Disaster Service played a vital role in building the McMurrays’ new home, providing free labor and thousands of volunteer hours. Skilled workers from its Amish counterpart, Storm Aid, also contributed by sending teams weekly to assist on-site. Volunteers rotate in and out, bringing expertise in areas such as roofing and framing to help multiple homes.

The cost to build each new home averages about $130,000, according to Youngkin’s office. Homeowners are generally asked to contribute around 10% of the costs, approximately $11,000 to $12,000, from funds received through the Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster assistance. The nonprofit Trails to Recovery organizes the rebuilding process, covering material costs and coordinating trades, including plumbing and electrical work, while working closely with the Mennonite Disaster Service to ensure a smooth operation.

A full-time project manager from the Mennonite Disaster Service remains on-site for extended periods, ensuring that construction stays on schedule.

Widespread Impact of Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene, a powerful Category 4 storm, struck the Gulf Coast in late September 2024, leaving a trail of destruction across southwest Virginia. Areas especially hard-hit included Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, Wythe counties, and the city of Galax.

In the storm’s aftermath, hundreds of roads and bridges were closed, isolating many residents. Approximately 310,000 Virginians lost power, while nearly 3,700 farms suffered significant damage, resulting in losses exceeding $630 million.

Coordinating Recovery Efforts

In response to this disaster, Governor Youngkin established the Office of Hurricane Helene Recovery and Rebuilding. This office aims to streamline state and federal recovery efforts and is led by Chief Transformation Officer Rob Ward.

Despite these efforts, Virginia has yet to receive $4.4 billion in federal funding that Youngkin requested in November to support recovery. Vice President JD Vance recently visited Damascus, a community severely impacted by the storm, and criticized the federal government’s response to the crisis.

“The local government is working, the state government is doing its best, and the community is responding rapidly, yet the federal government remains absent when it comes to essential support,” Vance explained in an interview.

Continuing Challenges for Victims

The recovery process is ongoing, and countless other families in Virginia still await the same opportunity for rebuilding that the McMurrays have received. Their story serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating the power of community engagement and support in the wake of natural disasters.

The resilience of people like Carl and Linda McMurray illustrates not only personal tenacity but also the importance of collective action. As recovering from Hurricane Helene continues, efforts remain focused on restoring normalcy and providing essential support to all victims affected by this catastrophic event.

This report includes contributions from Fox News Digital’s Audrey Conklin.