Volunteers Rebuild 93-Year-Old's Flood-Destroyed Indiana Home

When 4 feet of floodwater tore through 93-year-old George Hibbard's home in Ravenswood, Indiana, it destroyed more than walls and carpet. It wiped away 65 years of memories, custom cabinets carved with ducks, and handcrafted window trim he built for his late wife.

But Hibbard isn't rebuilding alone.

Volunteers from Samaritan's Purse traveled from across the country to help Central Indiana families recover from devastating floods. On 73rd Street, crews are gutting homes, removing 49 inches of waterlogged walls and insulation, and treating entire houses to prevent dangerous mold.

Jane Morgan came from Wisconsin to help. She says the volunteers want families to know they're not facing this nightmare alone.

"Get in there, help them at their lowest point," Morgan said. "We know how hurting they are and we just want everyone to know that we're here for you."

Hibbard spent decades as a carpenter, building much of his Ravenswood home by hand. His wife designed intricate details like duck-carved cabinets and red fencing around the property, and he brought her visions to life. Together they raised six children in that house and welcomed grandchildren and great-grandchildren through its doors.

Now a single pot sits where the kitchen once stood. The rest is empty space waiting to be rebuilt.

"I've never seen that house empty," said Brenda Doyle, fiancée of Hibbard's son. "Seeing that house like that, it's heartbreaking."

Sunny's Take

While gutting the home, volunteers carefully preserved what they could save. They gently placed Hibbard's wife's ceramic figurine collection on the porch, honoring the lifetime of love that filled these rooms.

Morgan watched volunteers work tirelessly in the heat, showing deep respect for the 93-year-old carpenter. "I see the love and respect for him, and it just warms my heart," she said. "He is like their world."

The numbers tell the story of community in action. As of Wednesday, Samaritan's Purse received 92 work orders from flooded families. Their 85 volunteers logged over 800 hours of service in just three days, and they're still calling for more helpers.

For Hibbard and families across Ravenswood, the road home remains long. But every wall they rebuild carries the fingerprints of strangers who became friends.

"We're all blessed, and we hope he can get back to his home soon," Doyle said, "because he misses his home."