Hurricane Helene Wreaks Havoc on Western North Carolina, Community Faces Unprecedented Challenges

Hurricane Helene Leaves Western North Carolina in Disarray

The charming city of Asheville is experiencing a tough time these days as residents and students grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. What once was a bustling town has turned into a scene of chaos, marked by flash floods and considerable damage. As parents wait to hear from their kids who are studying in the region, many are left feeling anxious due to the ongoing power and cellular outages.

Mixed Feelings of Relief and Concern

Elisa Kiser Kennemer is one of those parents. She was fortunate enough to receive a quick text from her son Cole, a student at Appalachian State University. But that brief message was all she had. “I don’t know much as there is no cell phone coverage and I haven’t been able to talk to him,” she posted on Facebook while reaching out to friends and family for support. Thankfully, she later confirmed that Cole and his belongings were unharmed, sitting on high ground. Still, the lack of direct communication left her feeling uneasy.

Brandi Hayes, a resident of Asheville, shared a different experience. Struggling to connect with her 18-year-old daughter, who studies at Western Carolina University, she found herself in a grocery store line waiting for food and water. Overcome with emotion, she couldn’t hold back her tears, reflecting on the situation. “We keep talking about [what] we’re thankful for. Some people don’t have homes,” she shared with sadness.

The Impact of Flash Flooding

In just a few days, the storm unleashed powerful flash floods, landslides, and fallen trees. Many roads and highways became impassable, impacting residents and students alike. As the storm cleared, the toll started to reveal itself—at least 121 people lost their lives across six states, including 35 in Buncombe County, where UNC Asheville sits.

As the dust settles, community leaders affirm there’s a long road ahead for recovery. While many students were able to evacuate beforehand, some remain trapped in Asheville where road access is limited due to the catastrophic flooding. Heather Norris, chancellor of Appalachian State, highlighted the immense damage wrought by the storm. “Some of our staff members have significant damage to their homes, and some haven’t seen their families since the storm began,” she said, emphasizing the need for extensive recovery efforts.

University Closures and Evacuations

Colleges in the area, including Appalachian State, Western Carolina, and UNC Asheville, have announced closures lasting at least through the week. Damage assessments reveal that while some residence halls and dining facilities remained safe, others were roped off as unstable. Similarly, Lees-McRae College had to evacuate all students, calling in the National Guard to airlift seven students due to flooding.

Meanwhile, UNC Asheville reported that approximately 1,200 students still needed evacuation due to “resource constraints and diminishing life safety infrastructure.” The university pledged to provide mental health support as students navigated this challenging time, and some parents are turning to social media for alternative routes to pick up their kids. However, authorities have reminded everyone that all roads in the region are considered closed, with non-emergency travel strictly prohibited.

Emerging Heroes and Acts of Kindness

As students like Katelyn Lillard, a senior at UNC Asheville, reflect on their experiences, they are grateful for their safety. “I didn’t think much of [the storm] at first,” she wrote, sharing how she eventually realized the magnitude of the situation during a challenging trek to find a place to connect with her family. “It was upsetting to see the huge crowd of people trying to contact their loved ones,” she added.

In the face of adversity, local universities are stepping up to aid one another. Police personnel from other institutions have joined recovery operations in Asheville, while some colleges have mobilized alumni networks for assistance. Community members are coming together, showing resilience and courage amid chaos. “Everyone is just trying to take care of each other and their neighbors,” faculty members noted, encapsulating the spirit of unity pervading the area.

Long Road Ahead

The road to recovery will be long and arduous. As UNC Asheville’s chief of staff stated, “We are in the midst of a unique tragedy for Western North Carolina.” The support rolling in from across the state illustrates a community connected by a common goal: revive and restore their beloved region.

As families eagerly wait to reunite and help their loved ones navigate through these challenging times, one thing becomes clear—many hands working together can and will rebuild this community, even stronger than before.