WATAUGA COUNTY, N.C. — “I know people, I know places where there were houses, and their houses are gone,” says Tim Watson somberly, “They’re not there.” Pictures may speak a thousand words, but there are no words to describe the damage in western Watauga County when you see it in person. “The most rain I’ve ever had at my house was in 10 days – about 22 inches,” Watson, who has lived in his Sugar Grove home for 40 years, adds, “This was two-and-a-half days. I had about 32 inches. That’s a lot of water.” Residents tell WCCB Charlotte the water was as high as 10 feet above where I’m standing by the Cove Creek Baptist Church near Sugar Grove, crushing anything and everything in its path. “We saw a whole cabin go through, porch and all, and then we saw a whole barn go through,” says Brian Jackson. Jackson has lived with his family near Sugar Grove for his entire life. He says the waters continued to rise last Friday as the rain poured down, ripping away his paved bridge, overwhelming his garage, and nearly engulfing his home. “We thought that we might have to go up to the ridge,” Jackson says as he points to a steep hill behind his house. The incline is at least 200 tall and showed clear evidence of landslides. “There are houses right at the top of the ridge, and some are homes of people that we know. And honestly, we thought that we were going to have to break in and call later and just be like, ‘Sorry.’” We found the Jackson family all together as they collected debris and personal belongings – and they had some help from strangers, too. “We’ve been out just helping each other,” says John Troutman, one of the handful of volunteers who were helping the Jacksons. Troutman lives in nearby Boone and is volunteering through a group called Just Help One. He says it’s his duty to help his fellow residents in need. “We’re all in it together. Everybody up here we’re going through it,” adds Troutman. “I mean, it’s just crazy what happened. So, we all need a helping hand. So, we’re here to just help and give praise to the Lord when we can.” And for every story of trials and tribulations, there are dozens more of triumph and togetherness. “I just think we’re really lucky to live in a community like this,” L.A. Middlesteadt exclaims, “It’s been humbling and it’s been very, very touching.” Middlesteadt’s paved bridge was one of dozens washed out by Cove Creek, but two men from Taylorsville made the 90-minute drive just to help out anyone they could find – and they’re helping her build a temporary footbridge so she can leave her house. “It’s just been amazing how generous people are,” beams Middlesteadt. “So many people have come here to help. And as long as it’s just them and not people coming here to look at leaves, it’s good.”