‘We lost our home, our cloths, our everything': Family recovering from Helene with help from Samaritan's Purse
'The water was already like this. Big water and I went through the water. The house used to be here,' said Dumitru.
'There's a Margie shaped hole in all of our hearts': Knoxville TV icon Margie Ison dies at 84
The force of the flood waters swept Dumitru Gyska's home in Fairview, North Carolina more than 10 feet off its foundation the morning of September 27. Water and mud flooded his home of 16 years, ruining it.
The plumber's work van was carried a mile away, demolishing it. A concrete slab also smashed into his car. It was destroyed.
'It was big lake,' Dumitru said of the flooding.
Dumitru remembers Ashe Creek in front of his home as calm the evening before the storm struck the Asheville, North Carolina area.
'At 6 a.m., I wake up. God woke me up, I guess, and I jumped from the bed. When I looked through the window the water was already to the window, a lot. It was dark,' said Dumitru.
Realizing the danger as water surrounded his home, he woke up his family and fled in one of their cars.
'We lost our home, our clothes, our everything. Our cars, one working van. But we haven't lost our faith in Jesus Christ,' said Dumitru.
Dumitru, his wife Dina, and their eight children survived. They are now staying with Dina's family.
'We didn't think it was going to be that dangerous. Thank you, God. We are safe,' said Dina.
TDOT awards contracts for Greene, Washington County bridge rebuilds
Within days, volunteer crews from Samaritan's Purse, a nonprofit Christian organization, rushed to the aid of Dina, Dumitru, and others in their community.
'Once we heard from our caseworkers that there was a need and this gentleman fit what we could do to help. Thankfully we were able to give him this van,' said Samaritan's Purse Chaplain Jonie Smitley.
Samaritan's Purse presented a Ford Transit van to the couple free of charge, enabling Dumitru to continue with his livelihood.
'Many donations have come in from all over the world literally to help support this. They have seen what happened with Helene and their hearts were moved and people gave,' said Smitley.
Dumitru was thrilled to receive the keys to his vehicle, which will play a key role in expanding his plumbing business. One of the first jobs will be refitting the van's interior for equipment and tools.
'Now I have plans. I have plans to build shelves for a room on the top to put pipes and a ladder, yeah,' said Dumitru. 'I'll try to keep it safe.'
In a heartfelt dedication ceremony, loving hands from the Samaritan's Purse crew surrounded the couple praying for their success. Dumitru sees a bright future ahead.
'Thank God for this van. Because it's going to be a lot for us. It's going to be a big blessing. It's going to provide for our family,' said Dumitru.
Severe weather strikes, toppling tree into a mobile home in Farragut
Dumitru plans to rebuild a new home on his property, but it will be raised, high off the ground. He said the donation of the van, will help him make a professional comeback. He added that the slogan of Samaritan's Purse, 'Go and do likewise,' will become a part of his life as he looks for ways to help others.
If you're looking to help with recovery in the aftermath of Helene, visit SamaritansPurse.org/WATE.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
a day ago
- Newsweek
Leaked Video Shows Augusta National Under Floodwaters
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. On Thursday, a video of Augusta National quickly went viral across social media. It captured floodwaters tearing through the historic golf course where Rory McIlroy broke his 11-year curse by winning the Masters in April. The footage showed water surging through Amen Corner, destroying the legendary stretch between the 11th and 13th holes. Newly released video shows Augusta National being overwhelmed by floodwaters. (Image Credits: Screenshot @GOLF_com/X) Newly released video shows Augusta National being overwhelmed by floodwaters. (Image Credits: Screenshot @GOLF_com/X) Twitter Initially, many speculated the clip to be linked with Hurricane Helene that devastated the Southeastern U.S. last year and Augusta National was among the many landmarks reportedly impacted. But reported, citing a source close to Augusta National, that the viral video wasn't from Hurricane Helene's aftermath. Instead, it was filmed earlier this summer, during intense rainfall. Per the report, during that time, Amen Corner was under construction as part of Augusta's offseason routine upgrades. The 92-year-old course traditionally closes in May, after the Masters, and doesn't reopen until the second Monday of October. Construction machinery and torn-up ground visible in the video support this timeline. A source close to Augusta National confirmed to @JoshSens that this floodwater at Augusta National is from a recent storm and not from Hurricane Helene last year. At the time of the flood, the source said, Amen Corner was under construction; off-season upgrades are common at the… — (@GOLF_com) July 25, 2025 The insider revealed to that the footage was captured by a subcontractor who has since been dismissed for leaking the visuals. "Any impact is really just aesthetic," the source said, as captioned in their X post. "Nothing they can't handle." Despite the striking visuals of Rae's Creek overflowing, water rushing from the 12th green toward the 11th fairway, the club reportedly has no permanent structural damage. Considering Augusta National's reputation for rapid recovery, this was no shock. After Hurricane Helene, Chairman Fred Ridley confirmed that the course had "a lot of damage", but they "were able to get that (playing surfaces) back in shape" in time for this year's Masters. Augusta National has a history with floods According to the city's official website, "Augusta has a history of disastrous floods, which led to the construction of the levee in the downtown area. Due to the topography of the city, certain areas are prone to flood-related problems." The region's topography makes certain areas, especially near Rae's Creek, prone to flooding. Just this past Sunday, flash-flood warnings were issued following heavy rainfall, further stressing the area's aging storm drain infrastructure. Local station WRDW-TV reported that clogged and deteriorating drains have worsened recent flooding, particularly along Raes Creek. The city is currently reviewing long-term solutions to mitigate future risks. According to post on X, Augusta National has not responded to multiple media inquiries about the timing or impact of the flood. But the club's silence hasn't stopped fans from speculating. More Golf: Why Rory McIlroy Is Singing Different Tune About PGA Tour-LIV Situation
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Newsweek
Map Shows Where 100-Year Floods Have Hit Across the US Over Past Year
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The term "100-year flood" implies that the event is a rare occurrence; however, dozens of such storms have inundated the United States over the past year alone, prompting concern that they are occurring more frequently as the Earth's climate continues to warm. Why It Matters Flooding is the second-deadliest weather hazard in the U.S., next to extreme heat. Devastating flood events have made headlines numerous times this year, including a 1,000-year atmospheric river event that hit the Midwest and South in April and the deadly floods that inundated Central Texas over the July 4th weekend. The frequency of such flooding rainstorms, which often go hand-in-hand with death and destruction, is alarming. What's even more concerning is that AccuWeather meteorologist Alex DaSilva told Newsweek that these events are happening more frequently. What To Know In 2024, dozens of 100-year rainstorms struck the U.S. Each point is marked on the map below, created by Colorado State University. The points marking each event are widespread, with only a few states escaping unscathed. Last year wasn't a one-time occurrence, either. This year is also "shaping up to be one of the most flood-impacted summers on record in the United States," AccuWeather reported. A map from Colorado State University shows where 100-year rainstorm events were documented in 2024. A map from Colorado State University shows where 100-year rainstorm events were documented in 2024. Colorado State University What Is a 100-Year Flood? The United States Geological Service (USGS) describes the term "100-year flood" as an attempt "to simplify the definition of a flood that statistically has a 1-percent chance of occurring in any given year." Where Did 100-Year Rainstorms Hit in 2024? On the CSU map, countless points pepper the Eastern Seaboard around North Carolina and South Carolina after Hurricane Helene struck in September. Others show the devastating impact of the summer monsoon season in New Mexico, which caused deserts to flood and cars to become stranded as water washed over a highway. Vermont faced catastrophic floods in late July. Central Texas, known as Flash Flood Alley, experienced several 100-year rainstorms last year, as did Florida, with a scattershot of points dated as occurring during the Atlantic hurricane season. There was also an onslaught of precipitation that hit South Dakota in June 2024, as well as a similar storm that measured as a 100-year event at several locations in Missouri in November, among others. Only a few states emerged unscathed, including Iowa, Wisconsin, Oregon, Washington, and Massachusetts, but most of the U.S. experienced some form of severe flooding precipitation last year. Why Are 100-Year Floods Occurring More Frequently? The map's creator, Russ Schumacher, a professor of atmospheric sciences at CSU and a CSU climatologist, told Newsweek that improved technology, such as radar, provides better access to data, which can make it seem as if the flood events are happening more frequently. However, he also stressed the impact of climate change. "The physics of climate change tells us that we should see these extreme events more frequently," he said. As the atmosphere grows warmer through global warming, its ability to hold moisture increases, DaSilva told Newsweek. "This is why in the wintertime, we typically don't see too much flash flooding in the wintertime," DaSilva said. "It's too cold, and there's snow, of course, but it's hard to get the moisture content you need for heavy rain events in the wintertime because it's cooler out. In the summertime obviously the temperature is above freezing, but the atmosphere can hold more water content. There's more moisture to squeeze out." Which States Have Increased Flood Risk? As the atmosphere's ability to hold moisture increases, DaSilva told Newsweek that states in the Ohio and Tennessee valleys are becoming wetter, while areas like California are becoming drier. What People Are Saying AccuWeather meteorologist Alex DaSilva told Newsweek: "When the atmosphere is getting warmer as a what it's doing is making summer warmer and the shoulder seasons warmer as well. What's happening is those seasons, especially in the summertime, the [atmosphere's] ability to hold more moisture is going up as well." DaSilva added: "It doesn't guarantee we will see more rain over a certain area, it rains, it's going to rain heavier." The USGS in a webpage about 100-year flood events: "In other words, over the course of 1 million years, these events would be expected to occur 10,000 times. But, just because it rained 10 inches in one day last year doesn't mean it can't rain 10 inches in one day again this year." What Happens Next As the probability of heavy rain events increases, people are advised to have a flood plan in place before such an event occurs in their area. People should also never drive on a flooded roadway, as most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles.
The Hill
3 days ago
- The Hill
States need smarter tools to address today's natural disasters
Another hurricane season is here for the Gulf and East Coasts, but the usual anxiety is no longer just about the storms themselves. This year, a deeper fear is setting in — what happens after the storm, when federal support may no longer be there? A national conversation is unfolding about how federal, state and local governments should share responsibility for disaster management. While that debate continues, emergency managers of all backgrounds agree on two things: the system needs reform, and communities need better tools to respond to disasters. In 2024 alone, more than 550 lives were lost to major storms, and damages topped $182 billion. Tampa, Fla., saw its worst storm surge on record. Asheville, N.C., is still recovering from Hurricane Helene's catastrophic flooding. This year, forecasts predict another worrisome year. On July 4, historic flash flooding tore through Texas Hill Country, claiming 135 lives. Meanwhile, state and local governments are being asked to do more with less. Federal disaster assistance remains vital, but it has faced growing criticism — for arriving too slowly, being too limited, or simply failing to meet the evolving scale of need. This puts more pressure on local responders, who are increasingly on the front line of disaster response. It also highlights an urgent need for smarter, faster tools that help everyone make better decisions when time matters most. One of the more transformative new tools is satellite-based hazard monitoring, particularly Synthetic Aperture Radar, which, unlike traditional imagery, can capture conditions on the ground through clouds, darkness and storms. These capabilities allow decision-makers to act quickly, even when conditions on the ground are dangerous or inaccessible. Within hours of a storm making landfall, satellite-based insights can identify flooded areas, detect damaged buildings and track changing conditions at a block-by-block level. This is not a futuristic promise — it's being used today. When Hurricane Helene marched inland to North Carolina, floodwaters surged across roads and neighborhoods, cutting off access for emergency personnel. The cloud cover remained for days following the event. But just hours after landfall, Synthetic Aperture Radar's satellite-based capabilities revealed the extent of the flooding across Asheville. With that rapid visibility, local leaders could immediately reroute emergency vehicles, prioritize evacuations and coordinate shelter access for displaced residents. The data also helped nonprofits like Samaritan's Purse fly more than 60 critical supply missions despite the remaining cloud cover, long before boots could safely reach the ground. Satellite-driven data helped shift the response forward, protecting both lives and municipal resources. Faster disaster data saves lives and cuts costs. Today's damage assessments are slow and costly, requiring aerial surveys and fieldwork. But with better situational awareness, these efforts can be fundamentally smarter and more precise. Quick insights reduce reliance on manual inspections, speed up aid and fight fraud with verified, evidence-based data. Agencies at all levels are starting to recognize the value of technology, but we need to accelerate adoption. Preparation and resilience begin locally. This hurricane season, we need a new playbook. We must empower local governments with smarter data and faster insights to save lives and protect communities. The future of disaster relief may be uncertain. But technology can help communities act faster, respond smarter and recover stronger — right now. Pete Gaynor is a former FEMA administrator and director of emergency management for the state of Rhode Island. He is currently president of Bright Harbor. Andy Read is vice president of government solutions at ICEYE.
