Tropical Storm Helene hits home
Helene hit WNC on Friday, September 27, 2024. She stormed in, upending public water works, twisting power lines from their posts, and rooting out the cables of cyberspace. She shoved mud down the sides of mountains, slung trees–roots and all–onto homes, cars, and businesses. She stole sleeper sofas and kitchen tables, artwork and decor, sentimental keepsakes and family heirlooms. She claimed the lives of 100 North Carolinians and more from nearby states. Helene took her work seriously and did a thorough job of it.
Neighbors helping neighbors
As soon as it was safe, my husband went outside to assess the downed tree that divided our street. Neighbors joined him, reaching over branches to shake hands and introduce themselves. Before nightfall, our street, which had been completely blocked even to foot traffic, was cleared. It was the same in neighborhoods all over the region. Folks capable of helping with clean-up did so right away. The rest of us tried to reach friends, loved ones, and colleagues.
On that first day, we were not looking for city or county officials; we certainly did not expect federal help. We helped each other, and rightly so. None of us wants governmental officials hanging around our mailboxes just to see if we need them. The natural order is that at the moment of crisis, the closest people respond: the people in the neighborhood.
New (old) modes of communication
Toppled cell towers and fragmented cable made mobile phones inoperable and internet access impossible. But, by Saturday, 24 hours after Helene hit, people had begun to find ways to spread news. We learned the locations of the few remaining hot-spots and told our neighbors. We heard about open gas stations. When we filled our tanks, we took extra cans so we could take gas to others. We drove way out of town to get bottled water and basic supplies. Then we drove all the way back to share the bounty. “I26 closes right at the Tennessee border.” “This grocery store is giving away food…” “Have you listened to 99.9?”
Yeah, let’s talk about 99.9 FM/570 AM: the WWNC iHeart radio network that kept Western North Carolina informed. They provided information around the clock, connecting those in need to those who could help. It was a remarkably quick pivot from daily programming to crisis mode: a switch that saved the lives of many and the sanity of the rest of us.
Early evidence of help on the way
By Sunday, September 29, Chinook helicopters were dropping supplies and providing rescue to remote places. News helicopters flew back and forth gathering information to share with the rest of the world about our situation.
September 30, less than 72 hours after Helene reshaped WNC, I traveled to South Carolina to be with my parents. I expected delays and reroutes; instead my drive took no longer than it usually does. Upturned trees that blocked the road on September 28 were reduced to piles of firewood. Broken highways were blocked off and new routes established. THREE DAYS AFTER HELENE! To be sure, these highways had minimal damage, but still. Collaboration had already begun between whichever state and federal agencies handle such things.
Helene doesn’t age well
Now it’s been six weeks and people are frustrated and weary. Reliable driveways and access roads succumbed to Helene’s onslaught. Homes that were damaged, destroyed, or rendered inaccessible left their inhabitants in need of shelter. Most of us are still under a boil water notice. The county water department has worked tirelessly with great purpose to restore the integrity of our water supply. But the system suffered cataclysmic damage and full restoration is slow. Many people still shower in American Red Cross trailers or at the homes of friends who have safe tap water. It’s all just too much.
And we humans want to blame somebody. Particularly somebody without a face like “The Government.” FEMA, county commissioners, and city officials each get the blame for one problem or the other. Social media posts that start with, “I just have to vent. . .” go on to spew anger and vitriol at the anonymous “They.” But this righteous fury and out-sized criticism is not helpful.
A few things to keep in mind
- Helene caused more damage than anyone could have predicted. The weather simply cannot be manhandled.
- FEMA is not perfect. Nor is any other governmental agency.
- FEMA moves more slowly than local agencies. That is a good thing. We don’t want FEMA spending tax dollars to show up every time the wind picks up. We want them to be methodical and precise.
- Internet providers, electrical companies, waterworks departments, and yes, the government will make mistakes. And usually that’s all it is: a mistake. Hold them accountable, absolutely. But don’t take it personally.
- Oh and one more thing. To accuse The Government of inefficiency in the same breath as giving them credit for elaborate conspiracies is nonsense. Government can’t be both completely worthless and capable of conjuring an extreme weather event so they can steal Chimney Rock.
A practice that helps me
One of my oft-repeated phrases is “Maybe there is something I don’t know.” You’ll hear me say this when traffic backs up or when medical tests look questionable. I use this when someone annoys me or when I feel I’ve been mistreated. Every single day, I say it at least once. It helps me to be curious instead of critical. Curiosity opens the mind. Criticism locks it down. Curiosity says, “Tell me more.” Criticism screams, “I know all I need to know.” When I consider that I may not have all the facts I need to make a correct assessment, I slow down and hold my tongue. It means I have fewer regrets, because I’m less likely to hurt someone with my words. And it helps me like me better, which just makes a person more pleasant in general, don’t you think?
To be sure, I get frustrated and even angry occasionally due to unnecessary procedures and broken systems. I get loud and say mean things. In these post-Helene days, though, I’m trying to offer people the benefit of the doubt. It isn’t always easy; but it is a lot less destructive. After all, haven’t we had enough damage around here already?
