Columbus County Family's Flooded Home Reborn After Hurricane Florence

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WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) -- A family has been allowed to return to their residence following essential repairs.

The Ward family, residing in Columbus County, was among numerous homeowners affected by Hurricane Florence in 2018.

They attempted to repair the destruction caused by mold, but were confronted with additional storms along the way.

"Each time we managed to fix one issue, another much bigger problem would arise, and constantly having to revise everything became tiresome," states Koty Ward.

The homemade project proved too extensive for them to manage effectively, and it turned out to be quite expensive since their finances were limited to just one stream of income.

"She was the sole breadwinner since I'm disabled and don't receive those benefits," explains Koty Ward.

Koty's spouse, Jennifer Ward, was striving to not just help with the renovation costs but also cover their daily living expenses.

Fortunately, the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh learned about the family’s need for help and stepped in.

The church got involved to assist with their initiative.

The Ward family relocated adjacent to the area in a provisional trailer as volunteers started working on reconstructing their house.

The church mentioned that they were not keen on simply providing a new single-wide unit; instead, their aim was to construct a dwelling capable of enduring for many decades.

A disaster specialist from the church mentions that they cannot manage without help.

"We have worked alongside numerous partners in our region, demonstrating that when we unite, we can achieve disaster resilience for those around us," states Vickie Sasser.

The congregation invited helpers from nearby and distant places to participate in their mission.

Participants traveled from various states, with some covering their everyday expenses to remain nearby and assist.

Koty Ward expresses gratitude even towards the younger volunteers who gave up their time.

"I valued each and every one of them. It would have been great if the kids had been here too. Some high school students participated," states Koty Ward.

On Tuesday, the family at last had the chance to witness all the effort that was put in to provide them with their dream house.

Prior to the family getting a look, a clergyman consecrated their residence along with all the spaces within.

As they entered following the prayer, broad grins stretched across their cheeks from one side to the other.

The children's room was adorned based on their preferences.

The boy's room is adorned with a baseball motif, whereas the girl's space features cow prints everywhere.

Sasser believes that the effort and time invested in the project were worthwhile.

"It was worthwhile considering the effort we put in, as well as all the collaborations and partnerships we established over the last several months," states Sasser.

It's a spot where the family can unwind and ultimately refer to as their home.

"I feel more peaceful knowing we have a decent place to live," states Koty Ward.