Western North Carolina Faces Catastrophic Flood Damage From Hurricane Helene

Western North Carolina Faces Catastrophic Flood Damage From Hurricane Helene

In the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina, the aftermath of Hurricane Helene is nothing short of devastating. Over the past few days, certain areas have been hit with more than two feet of rain, resulting in catastrophic flooding and mudslides. This natural disaster has caused complete destruction, leaving entire towns isolated without proper travel access or communication with the outside world.

A Dire Situation

“It is bad. Total devastation. I am driving down the mountain to get cell service. No power, no water, no way to communicate. I’m safe, but many are trapped,” shared one local coach who managed to text a friend for help. The reality in the region is grim, as attempts to reach other coaches and athletic directors have been largely unsuccessful due to the lack of reliable cell service.

Another resilient coach indicated that he was using a generator just to stay in touch, saying, “We are safe but everything is completely destroyed. Our road is completely washed away. Trees through houses everywhere you look. We are stuck.” Such sentiments highlight the immediate challenges residents of western North Carolina are enduring.

Severe Damage to Athletic Facilities

The impacts of the floodwater have also hit local high school athletic facilities hard. East Henderson High School’s football stadium suffered damage when trees fell on the visitors’ side, destroying parts of the bleachers. Meanwhile, at Pisgah High School in Canton, significant flooding has impacted both the football stadium and softball field. Witnesses say floodwaters rose dangerously high, reaching within five rows from the top of the visitors’ bleachers.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time the Pisgah stadium has experienced such trauma; it was severely damaged by flooding during Tropical Storm Fred in 2021, which kept it closed for two years. Just this year, the stadium finally reopened, allowing the team to play their home games again. It seems fate has dealt another harsh blow, with equipment and preparations being thrown into uncertainty once more.

Community Rallying and Future Challenges

As people in the community begin to process the flood, some have shared thoughts on how the situation could affect high school football. Asheville football coach Cort Radford remarked, “Let everyone know as bad as it may seem from the outside, it’s worse. Just no way for people to communicate to let the outside know how bad it is in remote areas.” It’s hard to imagine how long it might take for teams to return to the field, but those with insight feel it won’t be anytime soon.

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) might have to step in if schools remain closed for an extended period. There is a historical precedent for adjusting sports schedules after significant natural disasters, as seen in 2018 when the football season was extended following Hurricane Florence’s devastating floods.

Football Comes Second to Recovery

While football is an important part of the culture in these mountain towns, many coaches and community members understand that the focus has to shift towards rebuilding lives first. “Football doesn’t matter right now, but it can give the community something to rally around,” one coach expressed. “The state is going to have to help us out.”

Games that were scheduled across the state for the upcoming Saturday and Monday are likely to be postponed, especially concerning those in the west where the damages have been most severe. As of now, the season sits in Week 6, with only five weeks left before the playoffs are slated to begin.

Looking to Help

Amid such destruction and despair, efforts are already underway to assist those affected. The community spirit shines through, as people come together in difficult times to support one another. If you know of recovery efforts from local schools or teams, please lend your voice and join the conversation as the region seeks to recover and rebuild.

While the path ahead is uncertain and will require collective effort, the resilience of the people in western North Carolina remains unbroken as they face these upheavals with courage and determination.