Reimagining a Home from Hurricane Helene's Destruction

In September, Florida faced the fury of a hurricane that became the deadliest to strike the U.S. mainland since 2005. As torrential downpours soaked the Appalachian regions, numerous homes were obliterated, including those near Asheville, North Carolina.

For John Saunby of Leicester, seeing the catastrophe in person was overwhelming. He expressed, "Being there among the debris is a completely different experience than just watching it on TV."

Despite the widespread ruin, Saunby noticed that some items could be rescued from the wreckage.

He salvaged parts of his porch from the woods and discovered flooring for his kitchen in the remnants of an old cotton factory.

Saunby remarked, "The forest is abundant with hidden gems."

These artifacts, destined for the landfill, instead formed the foundation of his ideal home. Although he has a background in building houses, he previously lacked the means to construct his own visionary abode. His dream incorporated unique features like bark siding from Black Locust and entire tree trunks as structural supports.

Approaching the first anniversary of Hurricane Helene's impact, Saunby is in pursuit of Wormy Chestnut lumber, a scarce material reclaimed from ancient barns and derived from the once-abundant American chestnut tree in North Carolina.

He's receiving assistance on what he refers to as his "ultimate mission" in home-building.

His partner in both life and this creative endeavor is Jenny Kimmel, an Appalachian musician who provides both inspiration and companionship. As Saunby works, she plays guitar, infusing the labor with music.

Reflecting on their collaboration, Kimmel shared, "This house embodies a universal spirit. Being with someone who shares this vision is deeply meaningful," she said, her eyes welling with emotion.