AFTER THE STORM
An experimental documentary. 
After the Storm is an experimental documentary about my family – framed around one particular home that was destroyed by Hurricane Matthew in October 2016 in Hope Mills, NC. It was my home, but this documentary is not only my story; it is a journey to find what makes a house a home. It is about getting back up after we fall, riding out the storm, and rebuilding. Interwoven into the destruction and rebuilding of the home, this work examines my life, and the life of my husband, mother, daughter, and my student/foster child. It includes the the “art party” we hosted that allowed the house itself to become art in the days before it’s demolition. The photographs show human spirit, but they also are a warning to all. In September 2018, our rebuilt home was destroyed again in Hurricane Florence. My family left North Carolina after this to start over.  Climate change is real and this is what it looks like when it literally hits home.
Interview for Earth Talks 2022
​with Gabriella Robinson
SeattleU Student Environmental Justice Center
Learn More
View the Article​​
This work was shown in Fayetteville, North Carolina at The Arts Gallery at Fayetteville Technical Community College in May 2018.  
​Supporting Photography by Eddie Harris. 

More Info

Following Hurricane Matthew in 2016, North Carolina struggled with providing adequate relief to homeowners, leading to accusations of mismanagement and a lack of accountability, particularly from the ReBuild NC agency. Many survivors experienced delays in receiving assistance, some for years, and concerns were raised about the quality of construction and lack of response to warranty claims. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Here's a breakdown of the issues: [2, 2, 5, 5]
  • Delays and Incomplete Work: Thousands of homeowners remained displaced for extended periods, waiting for their homes to be repaired or rebuilt. Some homeowners, like the Williams, were displaced for years and were living in motels while their homes were under renovation. [2, 2, 5, 5, 6, 6]
  • Mismanagement and Financial Troubles: ReBuild NC, the agency responsible for providing relief, faced accusations of mismanagement and financial issues, including a deficit of over $150 million. The state also struggled with the distribution of federal funds, leading to improper contracting and slow spending, according to a 2019 report. [3, 3, 5, 5, 7, 7]
  • Lack of Accountability: Despite complaints from homeowners, lawmakers, and even ReBuild NC employees, there was a lack of accountability for the delays and failures of the relief programs. Lawmakers have called for investigations and demanded more transparency from the agency. [2, 2, 6, 6, 8, 8]
  • Construction Quality and Warranty Issues: Homeowners also voiced concerns about the quality of construction on their homes and the lack of response to warranty claims. [4, 4]
  • Continued Need for Funding: Even with federal funding, the state has faced a shortfall in providing adequate relief to all affected homeowners. Lawmakers have proposed sending more money to ReBuild NC to finish the work, but there are concerns about whether the agency will be able to effectively use the funds. [1, 4, 5, 5, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10]

Generative AI is experimental.
[1] https://ncnewsline.com/2025/01/29/why-is-rebuild-nc-involved-in-disaster-management-in-western-north-carolina/
[2] https://ncnewsline.com/2023/10/12/while-3100-hurricane-survivors-lack-permanent-homes-rebuild-nc-employees-earn-big-salaries/
[3] https://ncnewsline.com/2022/05/27/unnatural-disaster-a-special-pw-series-on-north-carolinas-struggles-to-aid-homeowners-displaced-by-hurricane-matthew/
[4] https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article290425509.html
[5] https://insideclimatenews.org/news/16102024/rebuild-nc-deficit-after-hurricanes-matthew-florence/
[6] https://ncnewsline.com/2022/12/16/frustration-disbelief-and-a-call-for-resignation-lawmakers-grill-hurricane-recovery-official-at-oversight-hearing/
[7] https://ncnewsline.com/briefs/gop-lawmakers-move-to-fund-final-stretch-of-rebuild-nc-after-years-of-financial-woes/
[8] https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article295575169.html
[9] https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article266147721.html
[10] https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article265887236.html