North Carolina man loses 11 family members as Helene-caused landslide devastates close-knit community

FAIRVIEW, NORTH CAROLINA: A devastating landslide triggered by Hurricane Helene has left a North Carolina family shattered, claiming the lives of 11 members in a close-knit community that has been home to multiple generations.

Jesse Craig, 35, of Fletcher, North Carolina, is grappling with the unimaginable loss of his parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives in what is being described as a catastrophic event for the family and the community of Fairview, as per Daily Mail.

Landslide caused by Hurricane Helene forever alters fabric of Craigtown

The landslide, which struck on September 27, destroyed homes, disrupted lives, and forever altered the fabric of Craigtown, an area named after Craig's family, who had lived there for more than 80 years.

Craig, whose family has been rooted in the Fairview area for generations, expressed his grief and disbelief over the magnitude of the loss. “We’ll never make sense of it,” Craig shared with ABC 11. “You know, it’s our community and our town. I don’t know that it’ll ever be the same.”

The landslide that wiped out Craigtown left nothing but debris, broken homes, and dirt, erasing the physical presence of a community that had been carefully built and nurtured over decades.

The devastation is so vast that it’s almost unrecognizable. As Craig stood on the ruins of what was once his childhood home, he reflected on the memories now buried under the rubble.

"It’s unrecognizable now, but this is where I was born and raised," he said somberly.

Craig's family members perished in the landslide, including his uncles, aunts, and even a cousin, Tony Garrison, who died while trying to save another family member.

Garrison, a firefighter known for his bravery, lost his life in the same heroic spirit that defined his career.

"This man lived his life running towards danger while everyone else was running away," said the Tri-Cities Weather & Alert Crew. "It is sad but no surprise that he died the same way he lived his life as a hero."

Garrison leaves behind two children and a wife. The grief his family faces is compounded by the unimaginable loss of other relatives who were also taken by the landslide.

One unidentified survivor from the Craig family was trapped inside a truck when the landslide hit, forcing trees and a home to collapse on the vehicle.

In a desperate attempt to save himself, he broke the back window and escaped. His story is one of the few of survival in the wake of such tragedy.

Land on which Craigtown stood was bought by Craig's grandfather in the mid-1900s

The land on which Craigtown stood was bought by Craig's grandfather in the mid-1900s, and since then, the family had called it home.

What was once a thriving community of relatives, friends, and neighbors now lies in ruins.

Despite the overwhelming grief and the significant loss, Craig and his wife MeKenzie remain determined to rebuild and carry on their family’s legacy.

Rebuilding will not be easy, nor will it be quick. “We don’t want people to forget months down the road,” MeKenzie said. “This isn’t just a week or two fix. We have to be in it for the long haul.”

For Craig and MeKenzie, the rebuilding process isn’t just about restoring homes but also preserving the memory and history of Craigtown.

The community has rallied behind the Craig family, with friends starting a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral costs, medical expenses, and the long road to recovery.

The fundraiser has already raised over $133,000 of its $300,000 goal, with more donations continuing to pour in.

Steelie Runion, who initiated the fundraiser, called the Craigs "pillars of the community," underscoring the deep impact this family has had on their neighbors and friends.

Craig’s cousin, Brad Wright, posted an emotional message on social media, sharing a photo of an American flag, muddy and torn, hanging from a tree limb in the remains of Craigtown.

"My cousin, Jesse Craig, raised this flag over the devastation in the Flat Creek road area," Wright wrote. "This area held generations' worth of family and family history. This is the place where we were raised. My heart breaks as we have searched for memories and closure."