Key Points
- Two floods hit Betty Webber’s Newport property during Tropical Storm Helene. The floodwater not only came from upstream but also upstream of the French Broad River flooded her property, including her residence, a large barn shed, and some other outbuildings. And lots of possessions were damaged inside her residence too.
- The French Broad peaked at 23.34 feet, falling short of the 1867 peak flood elevation of 24 feet.
- Webber evacuated from her property before the flooding became serious, and resided in a donated camper placed on her property until she fixed her property.
- When the area mapping changed, Webber’s property was mapped as being located within the SFHA, and thus, it was necessary to relocate the structure and elevate the elevation.
- Clinch-Powell RC&D supported Webber in relocation of the structure and elevation of the site.
- The structure is now restored outside the flood hazard area, and Webber is now replacing her possessions and decorating her home.
- This flood damage came after another misfortune that Betty Webber experienced two years ago.
Newport (Wales Times) November 07, 2026 – A resident whose home was devastated by Tropical Storm Helene has moved back into a rebuilt house after Clinch-Powell RC&D helped relocate it away from the French Broad River and out of a designated flood zone.
As reported by uk/local/newport/">Newport Plain Talk, Betty Webber’s property was inundated when floodwaters from the French Broad River reached her neighbourhood from two directions during Tropical Storm Helene. According to Webber, water backed up from downstream into the area where she lived, while increasing flows also inundated the area from upstream of her home.
The report, also published by Clinch-Powell RC&D and attributed to Benjamin Turner, stated that the flooding destroyed Webber’s home and outbuildings and forced her to move the entire house to higher ground. The organisation said it assisted Webber during the recovery process.
How Did Tropical Storm Helene Affect Newport?
Webber described the area where she lives as normally quiet and peaceful. However, torrential rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Helene caused the French Broad River and other nearby waterways to rise sharply, bringing severe flooding to surrounding communities.
According to the report, the French Broad River rose to 23.34 feet, just short of its all-time record of 24 feet, which was set in 1867. The rising water devastated nearby structures and left many residents homeless within hours.
Webber said she was able to gather her pets and leave before the water rose too high for her to escape. When she returned after the flood, she found that the water had destroyed her home, a large barn shed and other buildings on her property.
Furniture from her front porch had been washed away and later found elsewhere on the property. Wood was also found piled on top of a gazebo some distance away in her yard.
What Damage Did the Flood Cause Inside the Home?
Although the floodwater did not quite reach the ceiling, it rose above the door frames inside Webber’s home. The report stated that all of her belongings were destroyed.
Except for the ceiling and roof, the house had to be gutted and rebuilt. Webber was displaced while the reconstruction work was carried out.
She said she was fortunate that someone donated a camper for her to use on her property while construction was under way. The report said the destruction of her home and personal property was the second tragedy to affect Webber within two years.
Why Did the Home Need to Be Moved?
After the flooding, the area was remapped. Following that process, Webber’s home was designated as being within a Special Flood Hazard Area.
According to the report, Webber learned that the house had to be moved and elevated in order to escape the flood zone. The designation followed the flood damage and the updated mapping of the area.
Clinch-Powell RC&D assisted Webber by moving the house farther from the river to a higher section of her property. The organisation also helped set the house at a higher elevation.
The move placed the home outside the flood zone. The report said Webber now has what it described as a modicum of comfort, although she said she still does not trust the river to remain in its place.
What Has Happened Since the Move?
Webber’s home has now been re-established at its new location outside the flood zone. She is settling into the property and becoming accustomed to her new view.
The report said she has been busy replacing possessions and decorating the home. Webber said she has been frugal and has bought almost all of the items needed to refurnish the house through Marketplace and yard sales.
Many homes in Webber’s neighbourhood were flooded when the river rose during the storm. The report did not provide a total number of affected properties or details of wider recovery efforts in the area.
What Role Did Clinch-Powell RC&D Play?
Clinch-Powell RC&D was identified in the report as the organisation that assisted Webber in her time of need. The organisation helped move her home farther from the river and raised it to a higher elevation.
The story was published by Clinch-Powell RC&D on November 3, 2026, and was subsequently carried by Newport Plain Talk. The original report credited Benjamin Turner as the author on the Clinch-Powell RC&D website.
The organisation’s account said the assistance allowed Webber’s home to be relocated and elevated after the property was designated as being within a Special Flood Hazard Area. It did not provide financial details, a timeline for the move or the names of other organisations involved in the rebuilding.
Background of the Development
Tropical Storm Helene caused severe flooding in parts of the region, with the French Broad River swelling to 23.34 feet, according to the report. That level was just below the river’s all-time record of 24 feet, recorded in 1867.
The flooding destroyed homes and outbuildings and left many people homeless within hours. Webber’s neighbourhood was among the areas affected, with many homes flooded as the river rose.
After the flood, remapping of the area placed Webber’s property within a Special Flood Hazard Area. That designation led to the requirement that her home be moved and elevated to escape the flood zone.
Clinch-Powell RC&D assisted with the relocation, moving the house to a higher section of the property and setting it at a higher elevation. The work resulted in the home being re-established outside the flood zone.
Webber had earlier been displaced while her home was gutted and reconstructed. A donated camper allowed her to remain on her property during the rebuilding period.
Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Residents
For Newport residents living near the French Broad River, the relocation of Webber’s home highlights the practical effect that flood-zone remapping can have on property owners. Homes newly designated within a Special Flood Hazard Area may require relocation or elevation to reduce future flood risk.
For homeowners in similarly exposed neighbourhoods, the case shows that recovery from major flooding can involve more than repairs. It can also require changes to a property’s location or elevation if updated flood mapping places the structure within a hazard zone.
For local organisations and community members, the report may draw attention to the role that groups such as Clinch-Powell RC&D can play in helping residents respond to flood damage. The organisation’s assistance in moving and elevating Webber’s home provides an example of practical recovery support following a major flood event.
For residents who experienced flooding during Tropical Storm Helene, the development may also underline the importance of monitoring flood-zone designations and understanding the requirements that can follow remapping. Webber’s experience indicates that a property’s flood-risk status can change after a major flood and that such changes can affect decisions about rebuilding, relocation and elevation.
