Asheville Schools Struggle to Reopen After Hurricane Helene’s Devastation

Asheville Faces School Disruptions After Hurricane Helene

Asheville, N.C., is grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which brought widespread destruction to the region, affecting tens of thousands of students and their families. The storm battered homes, disrupted campuses, and caused significant issues with municipal power and water systems. As a result, many local school districts are left in uncertainty about when they can safely reopen their doors.

Uncertainty Looms Over School Reopening

Date estimates are nothing but a guessing game for many districts in the area. Since the hurricane hit in late September, the **situation has only grown more complicated**. Virtual learning, which became a norm during the COVID-19 pandemic, isn’t a viable option this time due to spotty internet and cellphone services. Reports indicate that in western North Carolina, some students might miss up to a month of classes, with other districts struggling to make any kind of definitive decision.

Marissa Coleman, a mother of four from Buncombe County, highlighted the challenges faced by families: “I feel like a month is a lot, but it’s not something that can’t be overcome. But if we get further into Thanksgiving and Christmas, it’s like, how are they actually going to make this up?” Her family, like many others, has been deeply affected; they had to send their children to live with grandparents in Texas because their home lost its running water.

Impact of the Storm on Asheville

Asheville, a vibrant city home to about 94,000 people, was hit hard; homes were swept away, and crucial components of the water system were devastated. The storm claimed the lives of at least 246 people in the Appalachian region, and cleanup efforts are still underway. As the deadliest hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland since Katrina in 2005, the impacts of Helene are far-reaching.

The Buncombe County School system, catering to over 22,000 students, informed families via social media that decisions regarding the start date for school remain up in the air. They highlighted the need to repair buildings, restore phone and security systems, and even redraw bus routes. There are real concerns that these disturbances might have lasting effects on students both academically and emotionally.

Emotional Health and Learning Loss

Research indicates that children who experience natural disasters often deal with acute illness, anxiety, and depression, which can hinder their learning. School absences are only one part of the problem; the trauma can severely obstruct brain function, further impacting their educational achievements.

Amid rising climate change concerns, students are feeling the heat—literally. Extreme weather events like wildfires have disrupted school systems before, resulting in closures and unnecessary strain on students and educators. In 2022, the World Bank estimated that around 400 million children lost school days due to “climate-related closures.”

Community Support and Creative Learning

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, schools in affected areas are working hard to provide some stability. The Buncombe district has suggested that parents swap books and turn daily experiences into fun learning opportunities at home. For instance, they encouraged kids to write about things they’re looking forward to when school opens again or to tackle math problems based on simple everyday activities.

Parents like Cécile Wight have appreciated the emotional support from local schools. She recalled how the elementary school bus driver went out of his way to visit each child on his route, which has made a difference in these tumultuous times. “That has been huge,” she said, praising the compassion shown by the school system.

Moving Forward: Resilience and Recovery

As families recover, the sense of uncertainty hangs in the air. Most of the 45 schools in Buncombe still lack running water, which is critical for maintaining safety and hygiene standards. To address this, schools are even exploring the possibility of opening with portable bathroom trailers and possibly drilling wells.

Despite the challenges and delays, some families are pushing for a balance between safety and a return to normalcy. Coleman, the mother of four, expressed a shared sentiment: “I understand the schools are going to have to take some time to find a way to open safely, and I support that 100%. But I just think that’s going to be too long.”

As they move forward, educators are discovering that natural disasters can also teach valuable lessons. Heather Smith, named North Carolina’s Teacher of the Year, has encouraged families to view these experiences as learning opportunities for resilience and community service.

“Our kids are learning so much every day,” she remarked, as she took her children to help serve meals at their church. Similarly, Wight has taken her kids to volunteer for social relief efforts, allowing them to feel actively engaged and supportive of those in need.

As the community of Asheville continues to heal and adapt, there’s hope for returning to normalcy. “If COVID taught us something, it’s that we can make things work. The kids are resilient,” Wight firmly stated. “They will eventually catch up on the academic side of things.”