When Hurricane Helene swept through their West Virginia community, one family never expected the storm’s impact to last more than a year.
Strong winds sent a neighbor’s tree crashing through their roof, leaving their home exposed and unsafe. In an instant, a place of comfort became a source of stress and uncertainty.
The family of six includes a couple, their three children, and a grandmother with mobility challenges. In the days that followed, the damage became clear: roof and structural issues, leaks throughout the home, clogged drains, and interior damage that worsened with every rainfall. A 14-day power outage only added to the hardship.
Without electricity, the family lost all the food in their refrigerator and freezer and relied on restaurant meals while managing unexpected expenses and lost income. Mold began to spread inside the home, so they cleaned constantly to protect their family’s health. They repaired plumbing, cleared debris, and replaced their daughter’s damaged bedroom furniture — all while knowing the biggest problem remained.
The roof continued to leak.
Each rainfall brought new damage and rising costs. The neighbor did not accept responsibility for the fallen tree. A misunderstanding of the FEMA process left the family without assistance, and their homeowner’s insurance denied the claim after determining the damage fell below their deductible. Over time, they felt exhausted and discouraged, unsure how they would ever afford the repairs.
That’s when Catholic Charities West Virginia Disaster Services stepped in.
Through disaster case management and $11,000 in support from a generous Catholic Charities USA grant, the family was finally able to replace their roof, stop the ongoing damage, and begin moving forward — more than a year after the storm.
The mother shared how much the support meant to her family.
“You just don’t know how much this means,” she said.
Today, the family is continuing to rebuild with a renewed sense of stability and hope. Their story is a reminder that recovery doesn’t always happen quickly — and that compassionate support can make all the difference long after a storm has passed.
