To our caring community … a few notes on the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in the Asheville, NC area from one fortunate observer’s perspective.
TLDR: we’re personally fine, many in the area are suffering, the primary longer term challenge is water utilities and roads, the event has amazing blessings and reassurances about humankind’s ability to cooperate, some lessons learned
Background: Asheville is located in a beautiful mountainous area of Western North Carolina called the Blue Ridge, part of the Appalachian Mountain range and near the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. Asheville is well known in the US for it’s music, food, art, and outdoor recreation offerings, as well as the famous Biltmore Estate.
The storm:
Day(s) prior to Helene, much rain from tropical storm Grace saturates the soils that Helene is soon to also hit. Radio and other news sources provide preparedness advice allowing those paying attention to stock up on food, water, and other supplies. Bathtubs and other vessels are filled in anticipation of loss of water supplies. One thing we could have done and didn’t: fill vehicles with fuel. I make the world’s best molasses ginger cookies to share with neighbors (from Molly Katzen’s Still Life with Menu).
Lesson: pay attention to and heed news of serious weather and preparation steps
Day of storm: lots of bands of rain, some very heavy, but mostly moderate to heavy and ongoing. Total rainfall between Grace and Helen according to neighborhood rain gauges are in the 16-20" (400-500 mm) range in about a 36 hour period, with 12"+ (300 mm) coming within the core 8-12 hours of the heaviest period of Helene. Some strong winds during the rain, but much stronger (60 mph / 100 km/hr) gusts coming at toward the end after the ground is totally saturated. Many trees, mostly tall mature pines, ripped out of the ground at the roots, but many breaking mid-trunk as well. Power, internet, and mobile services fail as trees fall on lines. Water fails soon after as local water treatment plants and distribution systems fail from water inundation and lack of power. Local water storage towers slowly drain with usage and distribution leaks.
Lesson learned: don’t leave the window open even a crack in a hurricane… 
During and after the heaviest rains, rising creeks and rivers sweep several small towns completely away and flood the low areas of most towns. The area, being mountainous, results in flash floods occurring with little warning. Fallen trees make many roads impassible, and thus stymy both escape and rescue. Other roads and bridges are destroyed by rushing waters. Without mobile services working, many needing help are unable to communicate that to first responders. The two major interstate highways into Asheville are blocked limiting the ability to leave to the single southward leading highway. Unfortunately life is lost due to both rapidly moving water and power loss.
Lessons learned: don’t buy or build a house right next to a creek (we didn’t), 100 year flood levels might become 10 year flood levels with climate change.
Wife Kris, a self professed weather geek and constructive worry wart, has made sure we have multiband weather radio, water bottles frozen in freezer to serve as cooling ballast AND drinking water, checked and improved exterior drainage paths, and so much more.
Lesson learned: marry well!
Days after: All utilities except for natural gas supply are out of service. Natural gas allows us to cook and boil water on our outdoor grill. I get good at baking bread (hint: use a pizza stone and baguette pan) and resolve to make a daily batch to provide to neighbors. Am still baking daily. Neighbors offer flour and yeast to supplement our dwindling supply.
Lessons learned: have staples on the hand, sharing is caring
When the power went off we consolidated frozen food and ice packs into freezer hoping to stretch out food viability. We’re fortunate to be well-stocked in fridge, freezer, and pantry. We cook on both the gas range (hob) and outdoor gas bbq grill.
Lessons learned: if you’re all-electric, have a backup cooking device and a week’s worth of fuel, like a camp stove or propane grill, a fully packed freezer keeps food viable for roughly 3-4 days (if you keep it closed!)
Neighbors start emerging after the rain and compare notes and offer assistance. Our 45 home neighborhood is quickly checked for well-being and needs. Many decide to leave the area. Several homes have generators and neighbors string extension cords to other homes to help keep refrigerated food from spoiling. Folks with generators set up phone charging stations on their porches… no mobile phone service yet, but people keep checking. We run low on ground coffee and take our whole beans and electric grinder to a neighbor’s to grind a supply.
Lessons: be proactive in connecting to neighbors, don’t assume they’ll ask for help … ask them what help they need
Neighbors with pickup truck haul water in storage totes, buckets, and (new) trash cans from bulk distribution to each home to fill buckets for drinking and bathing supplies.
Lesson learned: have a few buckets and pails that are or can be cleaned well enough for bulk water delivery or gathering, have some bleach to disinfect water
I arrange a neighborhood gathering around a fire ring to catch up. New neighbor Rob has battery sound system and offers a concert with Americana covers and original songs. Our marshmallow and popcorn and hot chocolate supplies are appreciated by all.
Lesson learned: people value gathering to compare notes and also to just socialize even after a disaster
Wife Kris, who volunteer-manages a local cooperative community garden heads out to harvest … Hundreds of pounds of fresh greens and tomatoes are given to people waiting in nearby water distribution line.
Lesson learned: serving others is it’s own reward
At this point all utilities are on, excepting water and in-home internet. We hear rumors that water may take months to restore and other rumors that say weeks… we are hopeful for the latter. We are blessed to have forecasts for clear skies and perfect temperatures with which to recover. We can work fine with spotty phone-based internet … those of us who are old enough can remember getting by entirely without it … and having an lot more time available as a result!
Lesson learned: be patient, if you have a utility that your neighbor lacks then share it
The storm has built on and built up more neighborliness in six short days than anything I’ve ever seen. It’s amazingly beautiful, but not surprising, to see the kind generosity, cheerful spirit, and resilient strength of the people in this area.
Lesson learned: have some faith in your fellow humans, they’ll surprise you and you can all bring out the best in each other, in disasters like this: take only what you truly need and offer all that you can
We are so grateful to be safe and sound following this natural disaster. We are also tremendously thankful for the connection with and loving concern and offers of assistance from friends far and near, loved ones, and fellow members of this and other communities we are engaged with. Numerous of our THS sitters have reached out through Whatsapp to check on our wellbeing and we’re proud and thankful to have them as friends!
Bruce
Asheville, NC
Edited to remove future sit request details as per the community Rules.
