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.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning to watch out for so-called “storm chasers.” The BBB said after a storm, people will come out to try and take advantage of homeowners looking for some help.
“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.
Steve Schattner with The Compass Agency has worked in the insurance business for nearly 30 years. He said, if a strange company is offering to pay a person's deductible or has no record of work in the community, families should proceed with caution.
"You have companies that will come into town that will basically try to file claims on your behalf and if you sign a contract with them and you sign your rights over ... they can actually take your money and run," Schattner said. "They might do the work right now, but then leave town ... then you have a problem five months from now, and you have no one to call."
It's best to reach out trusted companies in the area with a history of doing the work, Schattner said.
"I'm not saying every company is not reputable. I'm just saying, when things happen like this, people will surface to try to take advantage of this situation," Schattner said. "If there wasn't a storm, and you needed someone to come out and do work on your house, would you just say, someone come knock on my door and come work on my HVAC unit? Or would you look at local heating and air conditioning companies? Use the common sense you would apply if there wasn't a storm."
York Habitat for Humanity 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.