Thoughts on Hurricane Helene Western North Carolina Aftermath

It’s been devastating to see the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in our state. In Western North Carolina, many of these towns destroyed were only an hour or so away from us. Western NC is the last place you would expect a hurricane to cause such catastrophic damage. It’s been sobering to realize disasters could hit anywhere. We quickly realized so many shortcomings in our own preparedness, even with loved ones in the mountains of NC.

Admittedly, we realized how much we take communication devices for granted. Jody, our Preparedness Expert, was quick to know and support us with communication devices to check on our loved ones without power or any way to reach them.

Conversations shifted from not just having the right gear, but what do you do in the case of a flood of you only rely on your gear and it washes away?

When do you know when to go or when to stay? Do you have a go bag prepared to leave on short notice?

What lessons have we learned and where do we go from here?

We continue to pray for so many families, towns, communities affected by Hurricane Helene. For the first responders and volunteers providing aid. For recovery and support to continue pouring in.

#helene #hurricanehelene #westernnc #wnc #wncmountains
16h

[toddseymour]

All my prayers ❤ dealing with hurricanes is a difficult thing these last two were eye opener Milton made landfall 8 miles from my home I fell your pain but all my family and friends are fine and now recovery process begins stay strong and steady things will get better.

[JohnDoe-zbdz]

I've always said life has no guarantees. It's so easy to become complacent and take things for granted.

[Whiskey_]

Do not rely on the government, take control and come together as a community and rebuild

[wandachapman]

You go on and live all things are possible through God who gives you strength!

[kombibus]

The city of Olongapo, Philippines, sits on the coast with mountains surrounding it. Even with just a tropical storm, the streets flood just like what Helene did to western North Carolina.

[mijajajaja]

If you see a snake, its a snake. Even if a group of loud angry people try to tell you it's actually a puppy, it will always be a snake

[withurshield]

What lesson have we learned?

One: nature proves she is unpredictable and uncontrollable. She does what she damn well pleases.

Second: we have to rely on each other for help.

[ShadieJoan-skcr]

Water is a force to be reckoned with, it can move mountains and destroy life as we know it.

[zhuljinjager]

Don't expect good will when you tax that goodness out of people on the assumption they're evil

[Inalienablerights]

Tourism will save you. You must get basic services up and running first. Food, water, and tent rentals. People want to help you. Let them.

[stevep]

Passed thru NC on Thursday. Convoys of utility bucket trucks and other equipment. Total, hundreds of trucks headed for relief. If you pass thru the back country you can see how rivers can rise quickly and obliterate generations of work!

[barbaraweigel]

More people should have taken the time to get out of the path of the storm. Fewer would have died. This next hurricane is even stronger and I certainly hope that they are all well on their way to anywhere that gets them out of the way.

[kissessl]

We need Jesus! I'm an ENC resident but my area didn't see the devastation of the mountains of NC, Tennessee, Georgia, and Virginia are dealing with. The mountains need prayers because prayers will change things.

They need Officials to either get out of the way or stop worrying about protocol and get anyone and everyone who can to help. FEMA maybe out of money but the American Spirit is still here. We can move forward with the help of the one who our fore fathers built this nation on Jesus.

[patdalke]

My sister lives in Raleigh. In ‘96 hurricane Fran came by and demolished her home out of the whole neighborhood, just out killed my BIL. They rebuilt and have been safe ever since. You have strange weather how can a hurricane come so far inland? Other than what they did I’d just say build stronger. The Roman’s did cobble stones for streets last a lot longer.

[SaraCasovithaChipassu-ekyh]

It's time to go back to the lord.

[rtboxtx]

1st lesson: you can't escape a 30 inch rainfall /debris flow on short notice

2nd: Think twice about building your house so you can fish off your back deck.

2rd: Make sure your dams have state of the art engineering.

There were news clips reporting at least two dams were flowing wide open because of signs of imminent failure.

[fastpctv]

Wise old Indian says "is it the floodwaters waters fault that houses and roads were built in the flood-zone?" Maybe consider rebuilding on higher ground instead, because the floodwaters will certainly return again someday and recarve the land as it pleases.

[alwayshumble]

Our hearts and prayers are with you all.

[aleena]

That’s what u get got fighting against Palestine 🇵🇸
Team Palestine

[crismcdonough]

Prepping doesn't help. You spend wll that money on special food and it washes away. Also, guns don't protect your family from flood water 😢