Landslide Claims 11 Family Members After Hurricane Helene

Fairview -- October 12, 2024: A devastating landslide triggered by the heavy rains of Hurricane Helene on September 27,

2024, took the lives of 11 members of the Craig family in Craigtown, a close-knit community in Fairview, North Carolina. The tragedy wiped out multiple generations of the family, leaving an indelible mark on the region.

Jesse Craig, a surviving family member, shared his deep sorrow as he mourns the loss of his parents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and other relatives. Among the victims was Tony Garrison, a firefighter who died heroically while trying to save others from the impending danger. The homes of the Craig family, situated beside one another, were destroyed as the landslide swept down the mountainside 

The Craig family’s legacy in Fairview, also known as Craigtown, spans over 80 years, as the land had been in the family since the mid-1900s. Today, that once-thriving family community lies in ruins. Jesse Craig expressed the deep impact of the disaster, saying, “It’s unrecognizable now, but this is where I was born and raised”

In the aftermath, the community has come together to support the surviving members. A GoFundMe page has been established to help the family with funeral costs, rebuilding efforts, and the long recovery ahead. As of now, more than $133,000 of the $300,000 goal has been raised, demonstrating the outpouring of support for the Craig family during this time of need

To donate and assist the Craig family in their time of loss, please visit their GoFundMe page:  support-the-craig-family-after-tragic-loss

This heartbreaking event serves as a reminder of the destructive power of nature and the resilience of communities who band together in times of crisis. The Craigtown tragedy will forever remain a part of North Carolina's history as it begins the long journey of rebuilding both physically and emotionally.

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