Rincon community helps 83-year-old woman return home after storm damage

RINCON, Ga. (WTOC) - An 83-year-old woman in Rincon who survived Hurricane Helene is now living in her newly renovated home.

It’s all thanks to community members who spent seven months repairing severe storm damage that made the house uninhabitable. 

WTOC was there for the happy moment at Ms. Peggy’s welcome home celebration. 

Peggy Rouse’s home was first damaged in September of 2024 when Hurricane Helene sent a tree crashing through her roof. Last year’s snowstorm and following rain events damaged her home further, eventually making it uninhabitable.

A joyful moment was months in the making Thursday as Ms. Peggy tearfully prepared to see the inside of her home that she was force to leave behind. 

“Whenever I walked through the house originally, it was just in such bad shape. I couldn’t actually believe that someone was actually living here, and especially an 82-year-old person who just turned 83 in November,” said Matthew Evans, Owner, Centaur Home Renovations.

Ms. Peggy has lived in Rincon, nestled in the Hickory Knob neighborhood, for the last 30 years.

Recent severe weather, including a major hurricane and freak snowstorm, damaged the roof and interior of her home beyond repair. Ms. Peggy was still living in her house until seven months ago when the mold and mildew made her so sick she had to go to the hospital. 

Shanna Smith, deputy director of the Effingham Emergency Management Agency met Ms. Peggy when Hurricane Helene swept through.

Smith, with help from Family Promise found a place for Ms. Peggy to stay. Shortly after, word spread through the Rincon community about a neighbor in need. 

After walking through the home, Matthew Evans, owner of Centaur Home Renovations began coordinating the repair.

“I think we had like 40-something contractors that ended up coming out and helping. So, for that large of a turn out, it’s just been amazing,” said Evans.

Neighbors and local businesses spent seven months fixing up Ms. Peggy’s house, which needed around $160,000 of work. 

Michael’s Roofing repaired the destroyed roof, Edwards Interiors, Inc. donated appliances and Bonafide Decks and Fences built a new deck for the backyard- just to name a few. Throughout the process Smith says Ms. Peggy was eager to return.

“Myself and the others that have been involved just trying to, you know, keep the excitement and stay hopeful and be optimistic, I think that’s kind of what brought her through,” said Smith.

Community members gathered Thursday to welcome Ms. Peggy back into her house. Some of whom had never met Ms. Peggy, but chose to help their neighbor anyway. 

Ms. Peggy who was overcome with emotion after walking through the renovated space shares how grateful she is for everything that made her return home possible.

“People that actually worked on my house, donated items or money, provided me with a place to live while I was not able to live here, you know, I can’t thank them enough,” Rouse.

For more ways to help Ms. Peggy as she gets settled back into her home, click here.