Swannanoa, North Carolina Recovers After Hurricane Helene
Swannanoa, North Carolina, is slowly beginning to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, which swept through the Appalachian Mountains last week. The hurricane unleashed a torrent of rain and destruction, leaving the town grappling with the aftermath as residents come together to support one another during this difficult time.
When Hurricane Helene roared over the mountains before dawn, it overwhelmed many homes, including that of Shelby Holzhauser. Her little white house, perched next to the Swannanoa River, was nearly submerged, with water rising all the way to her mailbox. “There’s no power, no water,” she recounted, her four-year-old son Carter clinging anxiously to her legs. To gather basic necessities, Shelby has been forced to don a backpack and trudge through the debris left by the storm.
As of Thursday, clear skies and a welcome shift in weather brought a sense of relief, allowing repair crews to focus on fixing roads, pipes, and electrical lines that were severely damaged. But the devastation left behind tells another story. The death toll in the region has been heartbreaking, with more than 200 lives lost throughout the Southeast, half of those occurring in North Carolina alone.
Despite the harrowing circumstances, the community spirit in Swannanoa shone through. “Us living on a hill, we thought we were going to be okay,” Shelby reflected. However, the storm proved to be treacherous enough to drive her to evacuate with her son. Thankfully, as crews began clearing debris from the main roads, the resilience of the townspeople started to emerge.
Life for many, including Shelby, is still far from normal. For instance, she’s been using water from the river to flush her toilet, while her husband has been relying on a generator lent to them by his employer for cooking. Meanwhile, nearby, a makeshift stand at a closed gas station offers basic necessities to those in need. “We’re all sticking together. Everybody’s helping each other,” Shelby said, emphasizing the newfound sense of camaraderie developed in the wake of the disaster.
Stories of survival and loss are peppered throughout the region. One such story comes from Vincent Floriani, who stood by a rental property he owns that was flooded with at least six inches of muck. The waters during the storm almost reached the ceiling of the house. “It is just utter devastation,” he said, recalling how his tenant had to swim for safety, ultimately being rescued by a kind stranger in a kayak. Thankfully, his tenant called him from the hospital a few days later, dispelling Floriani’s fears and bringing him a sense of relief amid the chaos.
As the community works to restore order, places like a closed fast-food restaurant have been transformed into emergency pet care centers. Audrey Pace, a veterinary technician, has been providing her assistance to grieving pet owners. “Pets are people’s unconditional love and their unconditional companions,” she noted, ready to offer support to those who have lost not just their homes but also their loved ones in the wake of the storm, furry or not.
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden visited the storm-hit areas and pledged more assistance by sending in additional soldiers to help with recovery efforts. This comes after a heated political debate arose about the urgency of the recovery responses. For many residents, including Shelby, the rebuilding process seems promising, with new water pipes being laid and roads repaired visibly just a stone’s throw from her home. However, she is realistic about the challenges that lie ahead. “This is going to take a while to recover,” she said solemnly.
As recovery efforts continue, the residents of Swannanoa are showing their resilience and determination to bounce back from this natural disaster. They may have faced a daunting hurricane, but it seems that the power of community spirit and compassion will guide them every step of the way.
