Asheville Couples Faces the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — When Jacqueline Twohig and Doug Frieders decided to make the move from the Midwest to the beautiful hills of Asheville earlier this year, they never anticipated that a natural disaster would soon shake their new community. As Hurricane Helene made its presence known, the couple found themselves caught in a whirlwind of emotions, navigating the chaos that comes with evacuating your home.
A Sudden Evacuation
During an intense moment that they will never forget, the couple watched helplessly as the waters began to rise around their apartment complex. “We looked outside and the water was up, like halfway up our building, which was on stilts,” Frieders shared. In a panic, they grabbed what little they could carry and made the decision to leave. “It all happened so quickly. One moment, we were fine, and the next, we were running for our lives,” Twohig recalled.
Now, as they stay with a relative in Charlotte, they reflect on that fateful day with both relief and heartache. Initially, they thought their stay away from home would be temporary. “We thought we were going to go back in a couple hours,” Twohig said, the disbelief still evident in her voice.
The Unthinkable Happens
Sadly, some residents chose to stay behind, directly impacting their lives in devastating ways. “We knew two of the people still in the building,” Twohig said, sadness creeping into her tone. “One of them is still missing. They haven’t found his body. One of them, they did find her body. It’s just awful. We saw them every day. That could have been us if we didn’t leave. There is immense guilt from that too.”
The Heartbreak of Returning
Upon returning to their neighborhood, Twohig and Frieders were met with a shocking sight. “We visited for the first time on Monday, and that was just heartbreaking to see everything,” Twohig said. “We were in it when all the damage was happening, and then we got out, and then seeing the aftermath, it’s just devastating.” The area where their apartment once stood was now devoid of its vibrant spirit, filled only with “wood, tree debris, and damaged homes.”
Finding Hope in Rebuilding
Despite the turmoil, Twohig and Frieders are determined to take action. They don’t just want to return to Asheville; they want to be part of its recovery. “What’s inspiring us to get back there is we want to help to rebuild it and make it as good as ever,” Frieders declared, inspired by the resilient community spirit of Asheville.
Community Efforts
As they plan their path forward, they’re joining hands with fellow residents at Riverview Apartments on Rivers Edge Road, who have started a GoFundMe campaign to help support finances during the ongoing recovery. They are motivated by their love for Asheville and their desire to offer whatever assistance they can during this difficult time.
While the couple is left with mixed feelings about their experiences, they are focused on transforming their heartbreak into action. As they start to piece their lives back together, they stand as a testament to the strength and unity of a community facing adversity.
Asheville may be rebuilding from the effects of Hurricane Helene, but it is also a prime example of resilience, hope, and the human spirit’s capacity to rise again.
