Hendersonville – The local community is mobilized into hyper-drive, as volunteers are working many hours to help those in need of fresh food and clean water in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s destructive flooding.
The worst flood in western North Carolina since 1916 dumped record rainfall and overflowed rivers and creeks. Helene is the deadliest hurricane on the mainland United States since Katrina in 2005. Helene’s death toll reached 227 this past weekend, according to Federal Emergency Management Agency data. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported 70 confirmed storm-related deaths across WNC, including 30 in Asheville and seven in Hendersonville.
Further, mudslides wiped out businesses in Chimney Rock, homes in Bat Cave and elsewhere, and many apple orchards. Many businesses along U.S. 176 and on Hendersonville’s southern side remained without power on Sunday, while downtown and Four Seasons Boulevard businesses are open. A cleanup crew foreman said the new Chick-fil-A restaurant filled with water four feet high.
Many local roads are cleared of downed power lines and trees. Several residents evacuated powerless homes. On Sunday, Sept. 29, there were long lines of cars at the few gas stations and supermarkets with power.
As of Sunday, most residents across Henderson County had electricity back on, according to Duke Energy. But many remained without internet service, and had erratic cell phone service. Curfews remained. Hope is that public schools resume classes starting mid-month to late October. Some high school sports teams resumed practice on Monday. First Baptist Church held Sunday service on Hendersonville High’s Dietz Field.
Rescue and power line crews are in the area from several states. A crew from Kansas City, Mo. was in Flat Rock on Monday.
Emergency Shelter
An emergency shelter for displaced local residents is at Edneyville Elementary at 2875 Pace Road, near U.S. 64 East. “This shelter has bathroom facilities and serves hot meals,” and has pet shelters but not advanced medical equipment, Henderson County Chief Communications Officer Mike Morgan stated. “We’re actively working to find suitable locations to shelter medically-intensive patients.”
Heading into this week, thousands in Henderson County remained without electricity, according to Duke Energy. Some lacked running water. Several local residents got power restored on Friday, Oct. 4 after an outage of a full week. More had lights back on by Sunday.
Others had generator power and could cook at home, starting when the massive outage struck on Friday, Sept. 26. There was a boiled water advisory. Many emergency rations and bottled water supplies evaporated.
Meal Sites
Many meal sites were operated by churches and non-profits last week in Henderson County. “Resource hubs,” as Mike Morgan calls them, distribute water and “other supplies as they become available.” Hubs are at Fletcher Town Hall, Mills River Town Hall, Etowah Elementary, Rugby Middle School, East Henderson High School, and North Henderson High School. Their daily hours have been 10-4, with meals served at noon and 5 p.m.
Hendersonville Elks Lodge served an estimated 3,000 meals bought from stores and cooked on-site on Oct. 2-4, said Peter Albini. He is Lodge 1616’s “esquire” (attorney). The menu on Saturday was spaghetti, barbecued chicken, and hot dogs. Pete Jurgens grilled food on black stones.
The lodge is at 546 N. Justice St., south of U.S. 64. Its drive-through drew a steady stream of motorists on sunny Saturday. Serving hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. “We’ll keep serving meals until we run out of food,” Albini said, “or once we run out of the need.”
“I’m seeing a lot of tears of relief,” Albini said of recipient responses. “These cold bottles of water are like gold.” Albini said, “I’m happy to give. I’m blessed” by a falling tree barely missing his house. Dave Randall said that it feels immensely rewarding to hand meals to people in need.
Camaraderie is a bonus ingredient at meal sites. Eric Glisson, a HHS sophomore, on Saturday directed Elks’ meal site traffic. Isolation from friends is “so annoying,” Glisson said of being home-bound. “This is the first time in eight days I’ve spoken” in person with people beyond his family.
Medical Volunteers
Dr. Rick Humiston provided free chiropractic spinal adjustments this past week. He did so on a patient table outside his office at 1334 Asheville Hwy., which was without power. Humiston initiatlly sought to aid linemen, then expanded treatment to all others stopping by. Several people who got such care on Saturday said they feel grateful, more mobile, and with a stress release.
The county’s donation drop-off site is at 118 McAbee Court, near Upward Road in East Flat Rock. Canned goods are a priority need, Mike Morgan noted. Residents are urged to not tie up 911 with non-emergency calls. Instead, people may get non-medical information by calling 828-771-6670 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.