Asheville Community Bands Together to Overcome Challenges After Hurricane Helene

Asheville Families Face Challenges Post-Hurricane Helene

The beautiful city of Asheville is going through a tough time as residents continue to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene. With families displaced and schools shuttered, the community is coming together to support one another and find a way through the storm’s aftermath.

Families Bond at Home

Many families have been hunkered down at home since the hurricane struck, and the disruption to daily life is palpable. Students have missed days of in-person learning, and parents are starting to worry about their children’s education. Maria Canales, a dedicated Asheville City Schools parent, shared her concerns, stating, “I started to think about their education, and if I have enough food and water for them.”

To keep her daughter engaged, Maria has turned to books. “We have a few books at home. So, we’re reading those. We also have some books from the library. We’re reading those, too. That’s helping her at least with her reading,” she explained. It’s wonderful to see families taking initiative in difficult times, maintaining a sense of normalcy with reading at home.

Schools Survived, But Challenges Remain

Fortunately, the physical structures of both Buncombe County and Asheville City Schools endured the storm, revealing minimal damage. However, the road to reopening is uncertain. Dr. Rob Jackson, Superintendent of Buncombe County Schools, indicated that the primary hurdle right now is the continued lack of utilities, especially water. “Many buildings are still without power,” he noted, emphasizing that schools won’t open until both power and water supply are restored.

In the meantime, when schools could potentially provide a sense of routine for families, they have become hubs for relief efforts. Dr. Marx Fehrman stated, “We are housing one of the rescue teams and all of their staff. They’re using this as a hub for communication and a place to sleep,” spotlighting the ongoing community-focused efforts.

Support for Families and Learning

During this challenging time, school officials are making every effort to communicate with families. “Just about all 45 of our sites are at work today for some purpose,” added Dr. Jackson. Some facilities are serving as accommodations for law enforcement, rescue teams, and even Duke linemen who have come to assist with the recovery operations.

Even though learning has been disrupted, both superintendents encourage families to utilize whatever resources are available. “One great way to keep our students learning when they don’t have access to the internet or our great teachers is to read,” Dr. Jackson emphasized. Families are motivated to take advantage of any books they might have, and parents are reminded that supporting their children’s education can look different during these tough times.

Looking Ahead to Reopening

As uncertainty looms, school officials are striving to keep families informed. Dr. Jackson reassured everyone by stating, “We are going to do a great job of communicating when we’re ready to reopen.” Parents can rest easy knowing that once everything is back to normal, schools will be ready to welcome students back with open arms—whether they show up on day one, or day 179 with just one day left in the school year.

News may be limited, but the spirit of the community is alive. Families and educators alike are working together through these trying times to ensure that education and support continue, despite the challenges posed by the hurricane. As recovery efforts continue, we will keep an eye on updates related to the situation, and hope for a swift return to normalcy for the students and families of Asheville.