By God's grace my daughter had not been sleeping in her room nor was I using the bathroom (which in about 30 more seconds, I would have been) as a tree came crashing through the ceiling of my daughters room, the bathroom, & the attic. (Also burying my car).
As stated in 'The Gaston Gazzette' & on WCNC news CLT (Channel 36 & can still be seen online) it was like a scene from a movie & felt like a bomb went off inside our home!
The BOOM was SO LOUD as the sound of the crashing tree, the transformer box blowing, & glass shattering all simultaneously while the entrance doors to the home (which were both locked & deadbolted) came bursting open!!
Definitely in my top 5 craziest things I've ever experienced!
I called my landlord to ask what they could/would be able to do to help us.. She said "our Auto ins is responsible for cutting our family vehicle free". (It was done by a kind citizen)
They also informed me. that my "Renters ins" (as it was worded when I signed my lease) is actually only "Tenant liability ins" & only covers THEIR home & NONE of OUR property inside.
However Tenant liability comes into play if by any fault of the tenant (either intentional or not) the home becomes flooded or burns down. But maintaining a TREE is the Landlords responsibility & has NOTHING to do with the actions of a Tenant. We need a LAWYER!!
I asked Shanita James (of Metric Realty - our landlords) to put us in another 1 of their properties but she said that the closest home was currently "under renovation" & is "uninhabitable"... then she cont... "we don't do any rehousing. You'll have to go to Redcross for that!"
In other words, even though they will get a new house out of the deal, they will do NOTHING for us!
I had already spoken to Redcross & they said Gastonia had no shelters in place. Nor any funds to assist in getting a hotel. She said the closest shelter was "in Fayetteville, NC". When I asked if they would take us there, I was told "No transportation is in place either".
What a shock to find that, my daughter & I were very LITERALLY in... the... street, in the pouring rain & storm with no place to go & no way to get there!!
Thanks to the kindness of 2 neighbors, we were able to get a ride & 2 nights hotel stay.
UPDATE: We are now 13 days into our EMERGENCY situation, but NO organization has yet to step in to help us. It's only been because of the kind donations sent in that we've been able to stay in a Hotel this long. But at $96 per night these donations must continue for us to NOT be IN STREETS!
Because my daughter's room took the brunt of the impact she had NO clothes! There have been a few clothing donations to help.
Unfortunately however, we can't accept as much as we'd like because as bad as we need what things we can salvage, & clothes, toys, & other donations... we currently have no place to put them.
Most of all, we need a new place to call home!
As a Single Mom working at Waffle House ( W. Franklin Blvd) I can only afford about $750 a month at most. $500 - $600 is optimal. (A 1b/1b is ok). So if you have a rental property, or know someone... (even willing to rent/sell a trailer, camper, RV) - PLEASE reach out to me on Fb ASAP!?
This is why I am asking for at least $3k. I figure this will cover 1 - 2 mo's Hotel stay (at $2k+ per month).. & movers to get our stuff out & stored.
Or to purchase a used Camper/RV
Do you have a Camper/RV to Donate or sell?
Thankfully 5 Star Auto Collision has volunteered services to repair our vehicle. But I don't know how long that will take & Ubering everywhere gets expensive. Fast!
If we can't find a place SOON, we need help at least getting what we can salvage out of the home & into safe storage somewhere ASAP!!
Do you live in the area, have a little muscle, & have a truck?
If it be on your heart to help in any of these ways, THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
If it be on your heart to help but you're just not in a position to, then PRAYERS are also Greatly appreciated! 🙏
MOST Important, pleeeeaaase SHARE this fund & our story on your Socials!!
Even if you can't donate something... a SHARE can be just as valuable!!
~ Blessings to all who read!
