There are many reasons to love Western North Carolina (WNC), including its natural beauty, its independent history and its community-oriented culture. After the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Helene, it’s easy to find instances of where neighbors helped neighbors. That spirit helped everyone through the dark days following the storm.
Despite destroyed homes, uprooted infrastructure and heartbreaking losses, a deepened sense of community has emerged of this experience Physical message boards replaced online websites. Teams of bicycle riders fanned out to reach people or search for people where motorized vehicles couldn’t pass. Local businesses like GoPrime Mortgage of West Asheville mobilized to spread news to its neighbors.
What Are Examples of Neighbors Helping Neighbors after Helene?
Helene caused unprecedented flooding and landslides in WNC. Once the flood waters receded, residents got to work checking on each other. Among the countless examples of neighbors helping neighbors include:
- Local leaders stood on picnic tables to shout updates regarding when power may be restored.
- Message boards were posted on fences and churches listing the names of those missing.
- Residents pitched in to dig through debris, clean houses and search for the missing.
- Neighbors checked on each other to make sure they were safe, had water and got the supplies they needed.
- People passed out jugs of non-potable water so others could flush their toilets.
- Local restaurants gave away free hot meals to anyone who wanted one.
- Mules delivered medical supplies to homes in mountainous terrain where vehicles couldn’t pass.
- One woman even used her last dollar to buy medicine for a wheelchair-bound neighbor.
Some businesses opened their doors to offer support and supplies. Budgie’s Bakeshop in Candler passed out fresh bread. Instead of holding classes on bookbinding, woodworking and print making, Penland School of Craft provided food and shelter to people uprooted by the brutal storm. Volunteers from the area and from across the country set up roof tarps, removed fallen trees to clear roads and cleaned up debris.
With no cell phone service and no power, communications were challenging to say the least, but WNC residents united in their efforts to share information face-to-face where possible. People turned to each other for social reinforcement in the absence of the internet. Resources were shared, neighbors helped neighbors and strangers became friends. Even today, weeks after the storm, there continues to be an outpouring of love and support.
Is WNC Still a Good Place to Buy a House?
Helene rocked not just Asheville, but the entire region. Rebuilding is underway, but it’s likely to require much more time, as the areas by the rivers were literally washed away. Still, the sense of unity remains, and Asheville remains a great area to buy a home.
If you’re considering relocating to WNC, ask a local expert like Zachery Adam at GoPrime Mortgage in West Asheville. He’ll help you find the resources — and the property — that’s right for you. He’s an independent mortgage lender and a relocation specialist. So contact Zachery Adam for expert guidance today.
Sources:
https://www.bpr.org/bpr-news/2024-10-12/neighbor-helping-neighbor-takes-many-forms-in-western-nc
https://mountainx.com/opinion/a-city-of-heroes-helene-showed-the-collective-power-of-asheville/
https://avltoday.6amcity.com/culture/your-stories-of-community-in-the-aftermath-of-helene
