Couple who lost home in Hurricane Helene joined by Gov. Youngkin in ribbon cutting ceremony for new build

A heartwarming story emerged from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Virginia, where an elderly couple, Carl and Linda McMurray, nearly lost their lives during the devastating storm. Their home was destroyed, and they were forced to seek shelter on the second floor as floodwaters ravaged their property. Carl was swept downstream by the heavy rainwater, while Linda remained trapped alone in the darkened remains of their house.

After hours of uncertainty and fear, both Carl and Linda were eventually rescued. The couple, who had been married for 57 years, thought they had lost each other until they were reunited in the hospital. It was a miracle that they both survived the harrowing ordeal.

But their story didn’t end there. Thanks to the efforts of the Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) and other nonprofits, the McMurrays’ home was rebuilt from the ground up. The project to rebuild homes for storm victims is expected to cost about $1.4 million, with funding coming from a mix of public and private sources.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the McMurrays’ new home was attended by local leaders, including Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Rep. Morgan Griffith. The overall project aims to provide hope and a fresh start for families who lost everything in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

MDS provided free labor and thousands of volunteer hours to build the McMurrays’ new home. Skilled workers from Storm Aid also lent their expertise to the project. Each home costs about $130,000 to build, with homeowners contributing a small portion from their FEMA disaster assistance.

The rebuilding efforts have brought a sense of community and resilience to the storm-ravaged areas of Virginia. Despite the challenges faced in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the spirit of unity and support has shone through.

As Virginia continues to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Helene, the McMurrays’ story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration. Their new home stands as a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.