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Habitat for Humanity helping Rock Hill residents assess, clean up storm damage. They are also seeking volunteers
Volunteers with York County Habitat for Humanity have been helping families move forward, removing trees, debris, and assessing damage for free.
ROCK HILL, S.C. — Volunteers with York Habitat for Humanity spent Wednesday working to help families recover after Saturday’s storms left some roads impassable and homes destroyed.
Mary Cuerton lives on Crawford Road. Trees were still sprawled across her backyard days after the storm.
“It started hailing great, big hail and then it blew out the windows and it was sounding just like [Hurricane] Hugo came through with the whoof, whoof, whoof … Whoofing up the trees,” Cuerton said.
A large pecan tree planted by her father years ago was uprooted in minutes and tossed aside as 90 mph wind moved through, similar to a Category 1 hurricane.
It’s been four days since then and still, she said, her daughter is without power.
Volunteers with York Habitat for Humanity have been helping families move forward, removing trees, debris, and assessing damage for free.
“I feel like it’s a calling,” CEO Tim Veeck said. “I’m a person of faith and my faith motivates me.”
Part of the work, he said, is helping people understand the insurance process and which companies to trust.
“So, we really want to help people understand that process, so they don’t have two crises. The initial crisis and then being taken advantage of by people who may have ill intent,” Veeck said.
The organization is supporting existing Habitat for Humanity program participants, the elderly, and those with disabilities first, but working to cast a wider net to support as many people as possible. They’re even working to pay off the deductible for families who haven’t met it for insurance, according to Veeck.
For Cuerton, the support has meant one less worry as she looks to rebuild.
“Really, really appreciate Habitat because they’re the first one that came out,” Cuerton said. “We can always buy pecans. It wasn’t a life. So, that’s what makes the difference. It wasn’t a life.”
York Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers and donations to help. Those interested in supporting or who have a home in need of repair in the area can learn more on their website.
York County has also setup a hotline for anyone needing assistance with storm cleanup. Residents can call 803-250-3673.
Contact Kayland Hagwood at khagwood@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.