Hurricane Helene Hits North Carolina
Personnel from 303 Alpha were detailed to Asheville North Carolina in the wake of the historic floods last week. Working with our partners at Aardwolf International, we were able to assist in helping residents in the first hours after the water receded. Driving west on I-40 was surreal as there was no electricity for the last 60 or so miles into Asheville. One gas station was open and its lights looked like an oasis in the darkness. Cars stacked up left and right waiting for the next available pump while the Pilot truck stop across the road was simply out of fuel. On the last 30 miles into Asheville, the road was slick with mud from the recent mudslides and, in one place, the entire westbound lane of I-40 was washed away. Once off I-40, the local roads were often reduced to a single lane with trees and wires encroaching into the street. While the damage is spread across many counties in Western North Carolina, this picture take near Sierra Nevada Brewing is the perfect expression of how truly messed up Buncombe County is right now.
On Saturday, Sunday and Monday, we encountered numerous people who had lost vehicles, homes and who were anxiously awaiting word from loved ones. In all, it was a pretty humbling experience as the people who had suffered great losses exhibited grace and concern for their communities. Whether it was a mother with a newborn baby needing formula and diapers, a senior citizen seeking heart medicine or a single dad looking for food and water for their kids, the needs were many. One item that many people asked for was a radio. While we have gotten used to getting our news from TikTok, that requires a cell signal. And there weren’t any. None. Zilch. Nada.
Here is a list of things that don’t work without a cell signal: Google, navigation apps, AppleCash, Venmo, TikTok, emergency storm warnings, Amazon, ATM’s and public safety warnings. Interestingly, the radio service that was available was of marginal usefulness as very few radio stations provide local programming anymore. Instead, most of it is simulcast from studios in NY or LA. When the power is out and your friends and neighbors are missing, it doesn’t help much to have a “local” radio station playing some inane sports talk show from New York. Hands down the best information about what was happening came from local ham radio operators who ran nets on two local repeaters. Their first-hand reports from different parts of Buncombe, Ashe, Avery, Watauga, Mitchell, Burke, McDowell, Henderson, Yancy and the other affected counties were more informative than anything from a broadcast tv or radio station.
By Monday night, line crews were streaming into the area and electricity was being restored at least along the main commercial arteries in and around Asheville. Access to, and service restoration, in outlying areas will take weeks.
Some thoughts:
If you’re fortunate enough to be reading this blog post in an area with electricity and a cell signal, then take a minute to buy an AM/FM radio for ten bucks. Spare batteries, an LED flashlight and a little food can go a long way towards keeping you and your family safe. If you really want to splurge, spend $40 on a dual band Baofang radio and listen the ham radio operators yourself (or become one!)
Donate until it hurts. Our countrymen in Western North Carolina are suffering. Their communities have been decimated, and in some cases, simply erased from the map. This will be a traumatic, life-changing event for many. If you’re fortunate enough to not be in that group, go to NC.Gov/donate and find a reputable charity to donate to. It has been seven days since the rain stopped and we need to get our people back on their feet.
***UPDATE***
As we’re returning to Asheville this weekend for another weekend of helping families, we’re bringing some donated food and medical supplies… and a few AM radios, too! Stay safe and hold your kids close.