DAMASCUS, Va. — It's usually a carport, but since Hurricane Helene ripped through Damascus, Virginia, it's now where Sheila Richardson lives.
Her family started a GoFundMe to get Richardson and her son, Duane Trivett, back on their feet.
"I put the tarps up myself," Richardson said, as she showed 10News where she's been staying for more than a month.
Her son lives in a tent he pitched nearby. He invited 10News to see where they've been living since Helene hit and said they feel forgotten about as time moves on.
"They had a potty up here for us for almost two weeks," Richardson said. "And they took it out. So it's hard. It's hard, you have to be creative."
Richardson's home was destroyed in flooding brought on by the storm on Sept. 27. Her son's camper sat on the same property and was condemned by authorities after the area was surveyed.
A neighbor is allowing them to stay on property near where their homes were.
She and Trivett said they don't feel like they've had much help from authorities in Damascus.
Trivett said FEMA gave him $4,000 in aid and he used it to buy a car so he and his mom had a way to get around.
All of their belongings are out in the open now, and have been for more than a month, he said.
"That's why our place still looks like it does down there, we had promises of help, didn't we?" he said. "From several different organizations. Not out to beat anyone down or anything, because there's a lot of people out there needing help, but you know, come on. We need help too."
Trivett said organizations from other states have been life-savers, including a group out of North Carolina who brought some much-needed supplies.
The Appalachian Trail runs through Damascus and the area is popular for hikers and cyclists. It was hit hard by Helene, but as some parts of the town work to rebuild, people living along the trail are still waiting.
Sheila also said it's the people who've passed by where they live that have helped the most.
"We are singled out here, we are singled out for the beginning," she said. "But it's OK. I have met some of the most wonderful people. I have a doctor now."
She said she wished she saw more help from people who live in Damascus.
"I don't think they even know us," she said. " I don't think they even know us, on the good side, but it's OK. The lord has us on this. I believe that."