A Large Family Built Its Own Little Town. A Hurricane Killed 11 of Them.

For over a century, the Craig family found peace and safety on their land in western North Carolina. The towering maple and hickory-covered mountains surrounding them acted as a natural shield during storms, offering a sense of security.https://wordpress.com/

The tranquil environment led generations of Craigs to settle near Fairview, N.C., close to Asheville. Over time, about 75 extended family members lived as neighbors, most within an area roughly the size of a Walmart parking lot. This tight-knit community became known as Craigtown.

However, on the morning of September 27, Hurricane Helene unleashed torrential rain, saturating the ground and triggering two devastating landslides. The slides thundered down the mountains, destroying homes in seconds and claiming the lives of 11 family members. Days later, their bodies were discovered buried under mud or washed miles away near blueberry bushes.

“It’s unbearable to see it,” said 75-year-old Larry Craig, reflecting on the aftermath from his porch. Once a neighborhood filled with homes and gardens, the land now resembled a scarred expanse of dirt, as if a giant had dragged a foot across it.

At a time meant for family and holiday celebrations, the Craigs—many of whom are devout Baptists—turned to prayer, seeking solace and answers.

The hurricane caused catastrophic damage across North Carolina, leaving over 100 dead, $53 billion in losses, and countless families in economic despair. In Craigtown, the randomness of destruction deepened the survivors’ grief. Homes were obliterated, yet some mobile homes stood untouched. Those left behind grappled with a haunting question: Why had they been spared while others were not?

On a recent Sunday, Pastor Ronnie Harris, leader of Craigtown’s Chestnut Hill Baptist Church and a Craig family member by marriage, placed tissues on every pew. Before the service, family members shared their emotions openly. Pastor Harris reminded them, especially the men, that grieving was natural and that God’s comfort was near.

“It’s only by His mercy we’re here today,” said Larry Craig, wiping away tears. “Any one of us could’ve been taken.”

Pastor Harris recalled the heroic efforts of three relatives who tried to save him when one landslide struck his truck, pushing it 100 yards before it slammed into a tree. Tony Garrison, a volunteer firefighter; his nephew, Brandon Ruppe; and his son, Dylan Garrison, rushed to help. Tragically, another landslide buried Tony and Brandon, while Dylan barely survived.

Speaking to about two dozen relatives, Pastor Harris acknowledged their collective pain. “Many ask, ‘Can God restore our land and lives? Can we find a way back to normalcy?’” His answer was firm: with faith, they could.

Yet the trauma lingered. Survivors struggled with anxiety, insomnia, and grief. A family member who identified the bodies found it hard to sleep. A young man who performed CPR on a relative now needed therapy to cope with the memories.

“You can’t help but ask why,” said Wade Wright, chief of the local fire department and a Craig family member, gazing at the devastated land. “We’ll never know the answer.”

Craigtown, a community nestled in a picturesque high-altitude valley, had long been a haven. The Craigs, nourished by their land, enjoyed fishing, family cookouts, and the comfort of a close-knit church and volunteer fire department. Life had been modest but full.

Jesse Craig, whose parents, Ronald and Sandra, died in the landslides, visited the site of their home. Among the hardened dirt, he found a bamboo fishing pole his father had crafted. “This feels like a nightmare,” he said.

Geologist Philip Prince, who studied the landslide, described it as a powerful river of liquefied soil, boulders, and debris moving at speeds up to 30 miles per hour—comparable to an F5 tornado in force.

Craigtown’s roots trace back to the late 19th century when three Craig brothers purchased the land and married into the Wright family. Their descendants built a church in 1954, and faith became the cornerstone of their lives.

Gary Kirkendall, a distant relative, found some comfort in believing those who perished didn’t suffer. “It’s brought us closer together,” he said of the surviving family members.

Now, they face the daunting task of rebuilding. The wreckage stirs painful memories, but they hope to create new homes or perhaps a memorial for those they lost.

During a recent prayer meeting, Pastor Harris reminded the group that the holidays would be especially difficult. “There’ll be empty chairs at the table this Christmas,” he said.

The group reflected on the lives of those they had lost: Freddie and Terri Pack, who contributed to their community in countless ways; Angie Craig, a lover of animals and gardening; Lois and James Souther, who found joy in hummingbirds and mechanical work; and Daniel and Evelyn Wright, known for their warmth and humor.

Brian Reynolds, a close friend, summed up their collective grief: “The sudden loss makes the void feel even deeper.”

But amidst the sorrow, there was a glimmer of hope. Trevor Ballew, recently married into the family, shared that he and his wife were expecting a baby girl. Though their home was destroyed, they remained determined to stay in or near Craigtown.

“Pray for me,” Trevor said, “and I’ll pray for all of you.”