BOONE, N.C. — If you drove by this camper, you probably wouldn't think twice about it, unless you live in Creston.

What You Need To Know

  • A camper in Creston has become a place people struggling with the aftermath of Helene can go to for help 

  • Residents call the camper the "Love Shack"

  • It started as a spot for people to use Wi-Fi after the storm struck and turned into a community hub to find help and resources

After Helene struck in late September, it began as a place for people to use a Starlink satellite internet connection to talk with family, then donations started pouring in.

Jordan Forsythe's camper in the unincorporated Ashe County community quickly became a hub where people could find help.

“We have a makeshift gas station because at the beginning we needed to fuel generators and a lot of people have used all the gas in their cars," she said.

Patricia Mahaffey asked for help. During the storm, she and her husband were hunkering down at home when water started to come up quickly.

"It hadn't gone over our porch," Mahaffey said. "When it did, we decided to go." 

They got in their car and tried to leave, but the road was washed out. The Mahaffeys were trapped. They backed up a neighbor's driveway and watched as water surrounded their home.

"We saw all the people up above us, stuff coming up our backyard across the road and over the creek. Our propane tank washed away, hit the highway, and the valve came up and all the propane came out," Mahaffey said.

She said her husband tried to tie up the lawnmower, but she was worried. She got him back in the car and they waited and watched to see if their home would float away. It didn't, but mud caused major problems inside. It destroyed the heat pump and tore the deck off their home.

"I was just like numb, and me and my husband decided we could never live here again," Mahaffey said.

But weeks later, they are starting to feel a little more normal thanks to the help Forsythe organized.

Volunteers have built a new deck. Their flooring is new and the walls in one room have been ripped out and fixed. They are sleeping in a donated camper.

Once help started, they refused to give up. Mahaffey said the 100-year-old home meant too much to let it go.

"My uncle built this house, and he was Baptist preacher, and I lived across the road," Mahaffey said.

Forsythe has helped dozens in the Creston community.

"She's just sweet and nice and we love her," Mahaffey said.

Her love has spread so far that her camper is now called the "Love Shack."

Forsythe lives about 20 minutes away in Jefferson, but felt the need to help.

“I do have a connection now — my heart's in Creston, but I wanted to help where I could do the most good," she said.

She hasn't stopped finding ways to help. She is connecting those in need help with others who have means. So people like Mahaffey can return home, which she's hoping to do in a few weeks.

"There's big hope for us. We will get there," Mahaffey said.