Katie Linsky Shaw

Photojournalist

katielinskyshaw2.fotovisuratest.com

When the Water Reaches the Roof

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School: Memphis State University - BFA in Art Education University of Memphis - MA in Journalism

Michael Burgin stands outside h...e inches of water in the attic.

1 of 16 © 2025 Katie Linsky Shaw

Michael Burgin stands outside his house that flooded to the roof in the Beacon Village neighborhood in Swannanoa, NC. Burgin’s family escaped through the small window behind him. He said, once on the roof, they used an axe to cut a hole and rescue their dogs that were sitting in three inches of water in the attic.

Burgin smiles when asked about ... area with Andale Construction.

2 of 16 © 2025 Katie Linsky Shaw

Burgin smiles when asked about the plush toy on the front porch of his damaged home. Burgin was showing his house to the local non-profit BeLoved that's providing disaster relief in the area with Andale Construction.

Ponkho Bernejo, one of the dire...ide of Burgin’s home.

3 of 16 © 2025 Katie Linsky Shaw

Ponkho Bernejo, one of the directors of BeLoved, tours the inside of Burgin’s home.

Burgin talks to Amy Cantrell, a...about the morning of the flood.

4 of 16 © 2025 Katie Linsky Shaw

Burgin talks to Amy Cantrell, another director with the non-profit BeLoved, about the morning of the flood.

Burgin explains to Cantrell how...hing the houses' roofs.

5 of 16 © 2025 Katie Linsky Shaw

Burgin explains to Cantrell how quickly the water rose from nearby Swannanoa River, eventually reaching the houses' roofs.

Floodwaters from nearby Swannan...rhood flooded to the rooflines.

6 of 16 © 2025 Katie Linsky Shaw

Floodwaters from nearby Swannanoa River reached historic levels with homes inside the Beacon Village neighborhood flooded to the rooflines.

Miah Reis stands in the doorway...s not at home for the flooding.

7 of 16 © 2025 Katie Linsky Shaw

Miah Reis stands in the doorway of her Beacon Village home while BeLoved volunteers take notes on needed repairs. Reis was working as a 911 operator when the storm happened and was not at home for the flooding.

Reis waits outside her flood-da... volunteers to tour the inside.

8 of 16 © 2025 Katie Linsky Shaw

Reis waits outside her flood-damaged home for volunteers to tour the inside.

BeLoved volunteers walk up to D...quo;s house to tour the damage.

9 of 16 © 2025 Katie Linsky Shaw

BeLoved volunteers walk up to Daniel Wright’s house to tour the damage.

Wright stands in the doorway of...een stripped down to the studs.

10 of 16 © 2025 Katie Linsky Shaw

Wright stands in the doorway of his home that’s been stripped down to the studs.

Wright talks to BeLoved&rsq...vacuated before the water rose.

11 of 16 © 2025 Katie Linsky Shaw

Wright talks to BeLoved’s Bermejo and Andale Construction project managers about repairs. Wright and his family had evacuated before the water rose.

Andale Construction project man...inside Wright’s home.

12 of 16 © 2025 Katie Linsky Shaw

Andale Construction project managers inspect inside Wright’s home.

When the Water Reaches the Roof

“Do Not Enter or Occu...mp;rdquo; listed as the reason.

14 of 16 © 2025 Katie Linsky Shaw

“Do Not Enter or Occupy” signs are taped to the outside of Beacon Village homes with “flooded to roof” listed as the reason.

Jesse Howell stands in front of...th underwater during the flood.

15 of 16 © 2025 Katie Linsky Shaw

Jesse Howell stands in front of his house and by his truck that were both underwater during the flood.

When the Water Reaches the Roof

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Thumbnail of Michael Burgin stands outside hi_ee inches of water in the attic.

Thumbnail of Burgin smiles when asked about t_e area with Andale Construction.

Thumbnail of Ponkho Bernejo, one of the direc_side of Burgin’s home.

Thumbnail of Burgin talks to Amy Cantrell, an_ about the morning of the flood.

Thumbnail of Burgin explains to Cantrell how _ching the houses' roofs.

Thumbnail of Floodwaters from nearby Swannano_orhood flooded to the rooflines.

Thumbnail of Miah Reis stands in the doorway _as not at home for the flooding.

Thumbnail of Reis waits outside her flood-dam_r volunteers to tour the inside.

Thumbnail of BeLoved volunteers walk up to Da_squo;s house to tour the damage.

Thumbnail of Wright stands in the doorway of _been stripped down to the studs.

Thumbnail of Wright talks to BeLoved&rsqu_evacuated before the water rose.

Thumbnail of Andale Construction project mana_ inside Wright’s home.

Thumbnail of When the Water Reaches the Roof

Thumbnail of “Do Not Enter or Occup_amp;rdquo; listed as the reason.

Thumbnail of Jesse Howell stands in front of _oth underwater during the flood.

Thumbnail of When the Water Reaches the Roof

News

When the Water Reaches the Roof

katie linsky shaw

Jan 14, 2025

Location: Swannanoa, NC

Summary

Beacon Village in Swannanoa, NC, was hit hard by historic flooding from nearby Swannanoa River during Hurricane Helene. Water levels reached to the rooflines of many of the Edwards Avenue houses.

BeLoved directors Ponkho Bermejo and Amy Cantrell met with residents of Beacon Village in Swannanoa, NC, to discuss how the non-profit can help in the Edwards Avenue cleanup and rebuilding. The street, which sits across Highway 70 from the Swannanoa River, experienced massive flooding with waters reaching many of the homes’ roofs. The group toured houses to discuss how BeLoved can help residents repair their homes.

“We’re small but mighty,” explained Cantrell. “And we’re neighbors. We live here. We want to push the gas pedal on this and see how quickly we can get people back in their houses.”

Residents walked BeLoved directors and volunteers through their homes describing the damage and any cleanup assistance they were receiving.

372

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