HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C. — The owner of a cafe and co-founder of a grassroats organization has helped rise hundreds of thousands of dollars for local residents impacted by the deadly flooding that plagued the mountain community when the remnants of Fred pounded the state.

Known to the locals in Haywood County as "The Truck Stop," Haywood 209 Cafe is owned by Drake Fultz. 

Fultz took it over in 2017, but the cafe has been there since the 1970s, he says. Serving home cooking and hot coffee, it's a popular spot, even named the best Truck Stop East by msn.com. 

What You Need To Know

  • Drake Fultz owns Haywood 209 Cafe in Waynesville

  • Fultz and his friend, Michael Coleman, started the grassroots organization, Helping Haywood before Tropical Storm Fred, but it took off following the flooding

  • Record flooding impacted Haywood County on August 17, 2021 as it damaged hundreds of people's homes and killed six

  • Thanks to Helping Haywood and WMF Land Services, more than 60 people have received infrastructure help, including repairing damaged bridges in and out of their homes

Fultz grew up in the North Carolina high country in Madison County where he lives now with his family and makes the 45-minute drive to work each day. About a year ago, Fultz and his friend, Michael Coleman, created the grassroots nonprofit Helping Haywood.

The idea was to provide services to anyone that needed help, neighbor-to-neighbor. When the deadly flooding happened during Tropical Storm Fred in August, Fultz put into action Helping Haywood.

Within hours, they gathered water, supplies and food for the community devastated by the storm. The energy and momentum kept going for weeks. 

Fultz says in two weeks, they helped raise $200,000 for the victims and the efforts have continued to grow. 

“It was overwhelming the amount of support from locals, people outside the state," Fultz said. 

He said immediately following the storm, it was apparent hundreds of people had damaged homes, driveway and bridges. With the help of WMF Land Services, Helping Haywood began repairing people's property. 

"Michael called and had a road that had been washed out and see if we would fix it, and we fixed it, and after that, it was nonstop for four months," said Marquis Ferguson, owner of WMF Land Services. 

Some neighbors, he says, couldn't even get in or out of their homes after culverts had given out or bridges had washed away. Six months later, they have helped over 60 people with damages and raised close to $400,000 for flood victims. 

"That's one of the reasons why I love working here, love the people of Haywood. They are so nice and genuine, they’re some strong people. That's what it's all about," Fultz said.

Those affected by the storm can still apply for help through federal and state grants.