Local

Church raises more than $60K for Alexander County campground flood victims

HIDDENITE, N.C. — The community is coming together to help families that lost everything when catastrophic flooding swept through an Alexander County campground last week.

Heavy rain on Thursday caused the South Yadkin River’s water levels to quickly rise, washing away homes, vehicles and property through the campground.

>> If you would like to help the families displaced by flash flooding at the Hiddenite campground, CLICK HERE.

The water was 14-feet deep at the Hiddenite Family Campground where more than 30 people had to be rescued and the bodies of five people, including a baby and a teen, were found.

Channel 9 was there with search crews as they found the remains of Hiddenite natives, 49-year-old Crystal Dawn LeVan Reed, 18-year-old Tyrell Jordan “Ty” Reed, 52-year-old Tina Ann Allen, 76-year-old Ronald James Wintemute and 1-year-old Mason Lee Flowers.

Families staying at the campground said some people were trapped in their campers and others climbed to the roofs holding on as the water rose.

Beth Korte who lost her home in the flood told reporter Dave Faherty that campers tried to alert each other about the rising water.

“Basically we were helpless," she said. "We could hear them screaming from on top of the campers.”

Korte and several others are now living in a motel. She said she is thankful for those who are coming together to help her community.

“Thank you. I know everyone wants to help and it’s really appreciated and necessary,” Korte said. “A lot of families have just nothing left and are also trying to handle losing loved ones.”

East Taylorsville Baptist Church has set up a benevolence fund for the flood victims. It has already raised more than $62,000.

Billy Graham Rapid Response Team deploys chaplains to Alexander County

The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) has sent a team of crisis-trained chaplains in Alexander County to provide emotional and spiritual support to the community after torrential rain and flooding resulted in at least six deaths.

The storm washed out bridges and closed multiple roads in the area, with five of the six deaths occurring at the Hiddenite Family Campground.

“With an event like this that is so tragic, our hearts, our thoughts and our prayers are with the individuals who lost so much, especially those who lost loved ones as a result of this unexpected flash flooding,” said Josh Holland, assistant director of the BG-RRT. “We have crisis-trained chaplains who are committed to walking through this with the community. We will do whatever we can to let the community know that even in the most desperate of circumstances there is a God in Heaven who loves them and that hope and peace can be found through Jesus Christ.”

In addition to the chaplains already serving the victims and community, BG-RRT Manager of Law Enforcement Relations David Rutledge will offer a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing with first responders who were part of the search and rescue teams.

This is the 45th deployment of the year for the BG-RRT and the fourth as a result of flooding.

More ways you can help

East Taylorsville Baptist Church has agreed to partner with the Alexander County Department of Social Services and the Health Department to help prioritize the needs (medical, housing, food, clothing, etc.) of these impacted family members, and to manage monetary donations.

“We are so thankful to East Taylorsville Baptist Church for their partnership during this difficult time for these families,” said Linda Clements, Assistant DSS Director. “Our hearts to go out to these displaced families and to the families of the deceased. This has been a trying time for our county, and East Taylorsville Baptist Church stepped up to help our county agencies assist these families.”

To donate money through the church’s online portal, please visit www.continuetogive.com/hfcbenevolence and designate the amount you want to contribute. As of November 17, more than $66,000 has been donated online. Alternately, donations can be mailed to East Taylorsville Baptist Church, P.O. Box. 906, Taylorsville, NC 28681, and designate on the check: Hiddenite Family Campground.

In addition, if you would like to contribute non-perishable food, please drop off donations at the Christian Crisis Center. The center is located at 215 5th Ave SW, Taylorsville, NC 28681. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

If you have new or gently-used clothing to donate, visit the Salvation Army Thrift Store, located at 226 Westgate Dr., Taylorsville, NC 28681. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

For other donations or for more information, contact Alexander County DSS at (828) 632-1080, Alexander County Health Department at (828) 632-9704, or East Taylorsville Baptist Church at (828) 632-2564.