Harrowing stories from Bath, Jasper, and Canisteo
From Madison Jones, GoFundMe.com, pictured is the Brewer Family
(Jasper) Support Brian’s Family After Flash Flood Loss: “Hello, everyone. I’m Adam Tolfa, and I’m here to speak on behalf of our friend Brian and his family, who recently lost their home and possessions in a devastating flash flood. Located in Jasper, NY, he is a friend of many, including myself and we are raising money for him to buy…well…everything that fills a home. If you know him well, you also know he’s too shy to ever ask for help, so were doing this on his behalf., Brian Brewer’s home was not located in a floodplain, near a stream, river, or lake. However, when Hurricane Debby unleashed its final downpour on western New York, rainwater rushed down a hillside, carrying debris that got trapped between their second-floor deck, creating a bridge between the hillside and his home. This closed gap allowed thousands of gallons of water to pour directly into the second floor of his home. The water filled the first floor completely, leaving about a foot of water on the second floor., As if that wasn’t bad enough, the heavy downpour caused rivers and streams to swell, eventually destroying the bridge that provided access to Brian’s home. A secondary road, about two miles away, was also washed out, leaving no way to reach his house. Brian was at work, while his wife and two young children were trapped inside, huddled on a bed, with no way to contact anyone. Emergency services deemed it too dangerous to reach them, so Brian, with the help of some friends, had to make a two-mile hike in incredibly hazardous conditions to rescue his wife and children., And if that wasn’t enough, Brian was set to move into a new home the very next day, with everything he owned packed in boxes on the first floor. What wasn’t destroyed by the floodwaters quickly became infested with mold and bacteria, forcing them to throw away all their belongings. They lost everything—clothes, furniture, appliances, keepsakes, and sentimental items.”
Catistrophic flooding hit the Canisteo Valley over the last 24 hours.
Many people lost everything they own, including Kathie Boccia, my former neighbor.
As the water rose around her hom, she watched her garage collapse from the window of her house. She has just enough time to grab her precious dogs, escape through a window and run up the hill to safety before the water reached her home.
Kathis is the most kind, genuine soul who is the first person to offer a lending hand to people in need. Now she needs our help.
She did not have flood insurance and while $20,000 won’t make a dent in what she will need to rebuild, it’s a start to get her through the next few months.
Every little bit helps. ❤️ https://www.gofundme.com/f/rebuild-hope-for-kathie-boccia
Help the Folckemer Family Rebuild After Hurricane
Our family home in Bath NY, has been devastated by the recent hurricane Debby. We hate to ever ask for help but we are out of options.
Friday August 9th, the Creek bank behind our house gave way during Debby and sent the creek through the lower level of our house. Our 3 bedrooms, furnace, hot water heater, washer, dryer, baseboard heaters, 1 bathroom, animal pastures are all a total loss. We are in the process of cleaning out and eventually rebuilding but we just don’t have the funds. Any donation, of any size would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Scott, Kelsey, Isabelle, and Keegan Folckemer
(Canisteo) Help Rebuild the lives of south Canisteo residents: “My mother, step dad and best friends Kelly and Logan went through a devastating lost on Friday August 9th when a flood consumed there homes and there belongings! As a result of the flood both houses in south Canisteo are condemned, with the foundations cracking, floors buckling and walls covered in mud and water. My mother was trapped in the upstairs of her home for two and a half hours when she made the worst phone call of her life, telling me that she might not make it and she loved me. Two and a half hours later she was rescued by boat from her home to realize she lost it all. Kelly and Logan had just completed remodeling their house and my mother and step dad had just finished the cleanup process from the last flood three years ago. My mother and Kelly both lost thier jeeps as they floated down the road with trees and debris, four wheelers were totaled, belongings were lost and damaged. They will both be starting from the beginning as their insurance doesn’t cover anything. Anything is helpful, even a share! Thank you to all that have supported them this far! It’s a long road ahead but together we can do it!”
READ THE LATEST REPORTING BY JOHN ANDERSON:
