And I take a moment to honor the loss of life and property in western North Carolina (and nearby states) from Hurricane Helene on this date last year.
Goodness, I've posted a lot of photos and blogs about the damages, and our recovery in the last 12 months. Swinging through Swannanoa, Hurricane Disaster coping with it, Holding on in Western NC
Friend Robertson Work published this today: https://robertsonwork.substack.com/p/a-hurricane-of-suffering-and-compassion
Chimney Rock before and after Helene 9.27.24
Black Mountain on Blue Ridge Rd next to where the Swannanoa River used to have a bridge
A special remembrance for all those who worked to help others during this time. Much gratitude to you all!
A mandala of flowers and stones to remember, at the Tailgate Market in Black Mountain this morning.
Those are sobering pictures. I'm glad you and your friends came through it. That was a sad and frightening time. Long way to go yet to recover, too.
ReplyDeleteThe anniversary has meant a lot of news and special programs on TV showing where we've been and what has been achieved. It's difficult to hear of new storms that might come our way soon.
DeleteIt is still shocking to see the before and after photos. Toronto was affected by a hurricane in the 50s. I was thinking that it was also called Helen, but it was Hazel. I wasn’t living there at the time, but when we did move there, we knew a couple what had lost their house. But it wasn’t like your Helen for sure.
ReplyDeleteUntil Helene the Asheville storm of the century had been in 1916, a flood again. But it was definitely not as spread out as far as I can tell. The many miles of damage throughout the mountains was incredible. We can still see mud slides across from the Blue Ridge Parkway, but my phone doesn't zoom enough to capture them.
DeleteI don't think anyone could really take it in for awhile, at least. The shock must have been overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteI was out of town, and watching most of these shots on FB or the evening news. It certainly was hard to absorb.
DeleteFor so many people these will be days they can never forget.
ReplyDeleteThe catastrophe was the first un-imaginable thing that happened. Then there was a new relationship that happened between those who could reach out to their neighbors...suddenly a community had a deeper compassionate meaning.
DeleteAmazing at the work people did to get the community and area back to functioning again.
ReplyDeleteThere have been some dedicated groups, as well as some in it for profits. The dedicated ones are still around.
DeleteYour photos through this year have really made the tragedy real to those of us far from it. Was there ever a final count of deaths and cost?
ReplyDeleteActual storm related deaths was 108. But many people think a lot more were related the didn’t get in that count. Cost is still out there.
DeleteA terrifying time. But so much strength was shown and, though much remains to be done, an amazing amount has been rebuilt.
ReplyDeleteI need to come up to Marshall sometime to see in person. Photos do make things look good now.
DeleteThe pictures really tell the story!
ReplyDeleteI keep seeing new photos that people post on FB and so my file still grows
Delete...I read that FEMA hasn't come through as expected.
ReplyDeleteI know federal funds to the state are being held up - not sure is FEMA is involved in that. Individuals are still waiting for their insurance payments too. My granddaughter in college is going to do a research paper on FEMA and Helene.
DeleteMy heart aches for your region! Aloha dear Barbara
ReplyDeleteThank you. The mountain people have resilience that goes deep.
DeleteI hope that rebuilding is on higher ground...
ReplyDeleteThat was such a difficult time for so many! I'm glad you are on the other side of it.
ReplyDelete