When we get a call for help at a particular address, we go out and do an assessment to see what they need. Then our amazing construction manager (Dave) puts together drawings and a materials list and an estimate of cost. This is also our first opportunity to start healing conversations (aka trauma care) with the family. We get to hear some amazing stories of tragedy, survival, and resilience.
We recently met a family that shared this story with us:
Craig and his family have lived on Clear Creek for many years and was just months away from paying off their home. On the night of July 27th this family was in their home with their daughter, their son, and his fiancé, playing cards. They could hear the rain but weren’t concerned because water never made it to their house. Over the next few hours, as it continued to rain, they realized the water was rising. Before long it was just outside the house. They quickly got their vehicles to higher ground and came back to the house to get some other important papers and items. In just that short time the water had risen so quickly they could not get out. The neighbor from up the hill offered to help them and ran to get a rope trying to get everyone to safety. When the neighbor returned with the rope, he couldn’t get it to them because the water had risen to a point that it was not possible.
What happened next was horrific. The home was lifted off its foundation and taken down the creek with all 5 people in it. They floated down the creek until it a hit bridge and shattered. The family was scattered and landed in areas along the creek - except for one. Dad was still in a piece of the home, and he traveled another 500 yards down the creek. Craig doesn’t remember how, but he ended up in a tree with his calf caught in the crook.
The other family members found the edge of the creek and were rescued by helicopter. They escaped with minor injuries - physically. While Craig was in the tree, water rushed past him tearing off his clothes. He told me that he was crying out loud, “Just shoot me! Just shoot me!” because he was in so much pain and suffering from hypothermia. He was finally rescued but his family members didn’t know if he had survived.
Craig’s wife was frantically searching and asking if anyone had seen her husband. She gave a description but could not recollect what he was wearing. Thankfully, her description allowed them to be reunited. They lost their home and a beloved pet, but they were alive Unfortunately, all that happened to this family continues to shape their lives. They are working through the trauma they experienced day by day. They have purchased a used singlewide trailer and are working to fix it up to live in. Each day is a reminder, and the rainy days are the worse. Pray for Craig and his family as they continue to tell their story and process the terrifying event of that July night. Pray for our teams as we come alongside them in this journey.
