Heartbreak in Buncombe County: Community Rallies After Hurricane Helene
Buncombe County is grappling with profound grief following the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene, which struck on September 27. The storm has forever changed the lives of those in this close-knit community, as revealed during an emergency Board of Education meeting on Friday.
A Heartfelt Announcement
It was a somber day when Buncombe County Schools Superintendent Rob Jackson addressed the board, sharing the heartbreaking news that four students from the district have lost their lives due to the storm’s unforgiving aftermath. “I’m extremely brokenhearted to share that since the storm’s arrival, we’ve also lost four of our students,” Jackson shared. “The loss of anyone diminishes us. Our school system is diminished by this loss.”
The impact of Hurricane Helene didn’t stop at the tragic loss of students. Numerous staff members have dealt with personal losses, as have many community members and neighbors. However, amidst this widespread grief, there has been an inspiring response from those around them. Jackson noted, “What we have seen is a response where I believe that we can take pride in and be heartened by, as we’ve seen neighbors reach out to neighbors.”
Challenges Facing Communication and Recovery
Despite the devastation, the community has rallied together. Jackson mentioned that there are still 21 students the district is trying to get in touch with, as some have left the state and even the country. The storm caused considerable communication difficulties, making it harder to reconnect but not impossible. At least 100% of school staff have been contacted, ensuring that every educator remains informed.
Power restoration is actively ongoing, with all 45 BCS campuses currently having power, though only 13 have access to water. As of Saturday afternoon, it was reported that over 21,000 people in Buncombe County still did not have power. “In my 33-plus years, if a school didn’t have water, we sent students home,” Jackson remarked. “We couldn’t imagine operating schools without water. Water is crucial to the operation of a building.”
Looking Ahead
In light of the ongoing challenges, the district has reached out for restroom trailers through the Emergency Operations Center. “It is what I’m losing sleep over right now in terms of trying to figure out how to do the impossible,” Jackson admitted. But he reassured the community, “I believe we will do it.”
Amidst despair, there’s a flicker of hope. BCS announced plans to resume academic, arts, and athletic extracurricular activities starting Monday. “Schools will be working together to share facilities and resources as needed to support each other,” a Facebook post stated. However, classes are still closed indefinitely.
Continuous Efforts and Repairs
The winds of Harvey have made for a turbulent two weeks since the storm hit, and the effects are still vividly felt. At least 72 people have died in Buncombe County as a result of this catastrophe. As the community assesses damage and begins to recover, Asheville City Schools are considering long-term solutions, including drilling wells at each school to tackle water outages.
Encouraging news arrived as Buncombe County officials confirmed that emergency repairs have successfully reconnected the North Fork Reservoir to the county’s water system, restoring water supply to parts of Black Mountain and Swannanoa. Many areas, however, still operate under a boil water advisory, remaining cautious as recovery efforts continue.
Community Spirit Shines Through
While the loss is immeasurable and the path to recovery is scattered with challenges, the strength and spirit of the Buncombe County community shines through in this dark time. Neighbors helping neighbors, families reaching out for each other, and educators uniting to support their students reflect the heart of this county as they navigate the aftermath of Hurricane Helene together.
