Resilient Homesteaders Rebuild After Devastating Floods

In September 2025, Leo Sharp and Tessa Reed, a couple living as homesteaders along the Nolichucky River in Green Mountain, North Carolina, are still in the process of rebuilding their lives a year after Hurricane Helene devastated their property.

The hurricane's floodwaters had submerged Sharp's motorcycle, destroyed their tool shed, and left their home partially in ruins. With an estimated $120,000 needed for a bare minimum rebuild, the couple has been chipping away at repairs through a patchwork of community support and their own hard work. They currently sleep in a tent on their property as they slowly reconstruct their home and livelihood.

Despite the challenges, Sharp and Reed have remained determined to stay and rebuild. They've received help from neighbors, friends, and church groups, who have taken on various projects like rebuilding animal enclosures and installing insulation. However, the timeline for completing the repairs remains indefinite.

In recent months, the couple has also had to contend with a new threat – an unauthorized 50-acre mining operation along the Nolichucky River that has been causing constant noise and dust pollution, exacerbating health issues for Reed. After Sharp's drone footage exposed the unlawful mining, the operation was eventually shut down, but the experience has been another test for the resilient homesteaders.

As they continue their recovery efforts, Sharp and Reed remain committed to their dream of living off the land, determined to rebuild their home and business despite the obstacles they've faced.