Community Rallies in Asheville After Devastating Storm

Community Rallies in Asheville After Devastating Storm

As the sun peeks through the lingering clouds, the city of Asheville is grappling with the aftermath of a fierce storm that swept through the region, leaving behind a scene of destruction and a sense of disbelief. The East Asheville neighborhood of Driftwood Court has seen at least ten homes washed away, and amidst the rubble, the community is holding onto hope as they continue the search for a missing neighbor.

A Heartbreaking Scene

The storm brought heavy rain, with the remnants of Tropical Storm Helene unleashing torrents that caused rivers to swell almost overnight. Mary Moss, a resident of Driftwood Court, shared her gut-wrenching experience of the chaos that unfolded. She recounted, “You don’t know what it’s like until you lose everything.” Early Friday morning, as the rains intensified, Moss and her family managed to escape just in time, narrowly avoiding disaster. However, their home, along with everything they held dear, was swept away in the floodwaters.

Moss vividly described the scene, saying, “We were in the direct path of the river unfortunately, so we were the first to go. My house and the neighbor’s house, water was up to the roof.” The sheer force of the flood was overwhelming; she went on to explain how three of the houses around them had their foundations broken loose and were uprooted.

A Community in Shock

The emotional toll on the neighborhood is palpable. Many residents stood by the banks, hearts heavy as they watched parts of their lives wash away in the torrent. “Every neighbor, as they were losing their home, you felt it for them and you just prayed that it was gonna withstand it, but unfortunately ten of us didn’t,” Moss lamented. The loss of keepsakes and memories has left families devastated, with many struggling to comprehend the magnitude of the disaster.

A Search for Answers

Amidst their collective grief, the community is also searching for answers regarding one of their own. A man, known among residents, was last seen clinging to the roof of his home as the waters swept him away. Although law enforcement has not yet confirmed the identity of the missing person, friends and neighbors describe him as being in his sixties with white hair, a goatee, and pale blue eyes. Moss made a heartfelt plea, “If anybody’s seen him, Lynn McFarland, please let somebody know. We’re all trying to find out what happened to him.”

Witness Accounts

Another East Asheville resident, Tony DiLaurentis, recounted the terrifying moment he spotted the missing man. “His house was gone and I heard people yelling over there, and I just saw a man on a roof,” DiLaurentis said. This sighting has sparked hope that the man might still be found. However, as time passes, the uncertainty weighs heavily on the community.

Community Support

As authorities continue their search efforts, calling for anyone with information to reach out to the police, the neighborhood’s resilience shines through. People are coming together, offering support to one another, sharing resources, and lending a helping hand in recovery efforts. While the road to rebuilding will be long, the spirit of the Asheville community remains unbroken.

With so much lost, the determination to find their missing neighbor and to rebuild their lives is what brings them together in this dark time. In a place where nature showed its fierce power, a community’s heart is proving just as strong.