Our close friends and family, neighbors, and communities here in the South are still reeling from the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton—and will be picking up the pieces for years to come. The town of Burnsville, NC was hit extremely hard by Helene, with record water levels and landslides responsible for a bulk of the damage.

Three weeks after the storm, we met up with our friend Kyle Burnette, owner of Free Fly retailer, Southern Drifters Outfitters. Kyle and his close friend, Brian Hill, were amongst the first to assist trapped people, run supplies into inaccessible places, and help with search and rescue efforts. Kyle narrowly escaped a landslide, while Brian and his family lost their home during the storm.

 

 

 

We appreciate their selflessness and can’t fathom their loss. We know there are many local heroes that step up in moments of crises, and we’d like to spotlight and support the Hill family in this time of need.
 
Please consider donating to the Hill family’s GoFundMe so they can begin rebuilding their home and life.

 

Kyle, left, and Brian, right, look out at the damage from a landslide.

 

The path of the landslide that almost hit Kyle.

 

 
 

Kyle’s neighbors were inside this vehicle when it was hit by the landslide. They miraculously survived, but sustained injuries including a broken back and ribs.

 

Brian looks at the water line inside what used to be his living room.

 

Left: An R.V. was carried away by the floods and lodged into the side of a church.
Right: Kyle comforts his nephew.