Hurricane Helene destroyed everything they owned, year later, they still wait to rebuild

FAIRVIEW, N.C. (WTVD) -- When Hurricane Helene tore through Western North Carolina, the state estimated more than 125,000 homes were damaged. A year later, many families are still struggling to rebuild, including the Marlowes of Fairview, who lost nearly everything.

On September 27, 2024, mudslides and floodwaters from behind their property swept through the Marlowe home, leaving it unlivable. Triplets Zoe, Henri, and Ian were inside when the water rushed in. They captured cell phone video of the terrifying experience as they climbed onto the kitchen counter, trapped.

"For about 10 minutes, I thought I was going to die," Henri recalled. Ian added, "The only thing we could do was pray. About thirty minutes later, the water started receding." Once safe across the street, they turned back to see devastation-everything gone.

Henri along with his brother Ian and sister Zoe, triplets were inside their home the morning Helene hit on September 27, 2024. They huddled on the kitchen counter to survive as water, debris rushed the house.

The months that followed have been an uphill battle. "We've just been pretty much just trying to survive," Ian said. Despite some electrical work, the house still has no power or water. "I don't really know how anybody expects to survive out here without those needs. We just want our own house to call ours."

Samaritan's Purse stepped in to donate a camper, where Zoe stayed this summer with their 75-year-old father as he battles cancer. Together, they worked on the property, holding on to small victories.

"Getting a mailbox brought me so much joy," Zoe said. "Little things like that people don't think about."

Now, the family has new hope. Samaritan's Purse has offered to rebuild their home-completely free of charge. "They want to help us move forward and make life as best as they can for us. It's really a blessing," Ian said. For Zoe, the dream is simple: "My hope is to have a home where my brothers and I can spend Christmas together. To come back here and just feel like I belong."

While there's no set timeline for construction, the Marlowes say the promise of a new beginning is keeping them going; a light at the end of a very long year.

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A remarkable story of survival in Western North Carolina. Triplets survived Hurricane Helene as flood water surrounded their home and rushed into their house prompting them to think and react fast.

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