Barnardsville Community Faces Devastation After Landslide
Barnardsville, a picturesque farming community nestled in the hills of Buncombe County, has recently experienced a terrifying natural disaster that altered the landscape and the lives of its residents in just a matter of hours. After relentless rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Helene poured into the area, families found themselves battling rising waters and the terrifying roar of a landslide.
In the Eye of the Storm
Kelli Ball and her husband, Dakota, were in their basement on Stony Fork Road, attempting to salvage their belongings as water from the normally gentle creek behind their home crested its banks. With their two young boys, Canaan, 8, and Macon, 4, upstairs, the couple felt an unsettling vibration building within their home. “We could hear the mountains groaning under the weight of the rain,” Kelli recounted. “If you’ve never experienced a flood in the mountains, you won’t know what it’s like to hear boulders rolling and trees snapping as their roots are ripped from the earth.”
As the morning wore on, the couple realized the situation was getting dire. Around 10 a.m., Kelli made the fateful decision to flee when she witnessed the mountain beside their home unleash a torrent of rocks and mud. “I yelled to Dakota, ‘Landslide!’ and ran upstairs. Just as we burst outside, a tree slammed against our house,” she described with disbelief.
A Close Call
What followed was an adrenaline-fueled scramble to safety. The Balls decided to head towards the nearby road as tons of debris hurtled down the slope towards them. They quickly joined forces with Dakota’s parents, who had miraculously made it outside, and together they formed a human chain. “We had to pass the boys across as the mud and rocks rushed past our feet,” Dakota shared, shaking his head at the memory.
Fortunately, the couple was quick on their feet, and they all managed to escape the immediate danger as debris careened towards their home. Dakota later described how the landslide opened up new springs in their front yard. Having scrambled to safety, the Balls set about repairing their lives. “We’re lucky. We’re alive,” Kelli said, reflecting on their near-miss with disaster.
The Community Rallies
In the aftermath of the landslide, Barnardsville’s strong community spirit shone through. Residents joined forces to help one another, with volunteers sorting through donations of food and essentials in a makeshift relief center at the old volunteer fire department building. “People came together like I’ve never seen before,” Kelli explained, tears of gratitude welling in her eyes.
Down the road, equipment from local construction companies, especially Brock Mountain, was put to use as residents began rebuilding their washed-out roads. ATVs became lifelines, shuttling people around town after much of the pavement had been swept away. “We’re all looking out for each other here,” Dakota said with a sense of pride.
Aftermath and Hope
As cleanup and restoration efforts continue, the Ball family has managed to strip the damaged drywall from their basement and started to clear away fallen trees with help from their neighbors. They are optimistic about rebuilding their home—a place they chose for its high ground—while also feeling a profound sense of connection with their community.
Ultimately, this harrowing experience has changed many lives in Barnardsville, teaching resilience amidst devastation. “We’re going to get through this together,” Kelli optimistically stated as she glanced at the mountain that only hours before had threatened their lives. “We’ll rebuild, and we’ll be stronger for it.”
