After Helene
Four years ago we visited Western North Carolina. As most of you know, we drove back to Austin, Texas, sold our house, packed up our family, and moved halfway across the country. The mountains and the incredible people here have taken us in as we have made this place our home.
Many of the beautiful places we have visited and have brought to you through our posts and stories are now in dire need. Chimney Rock, where we visited on Mother’s Day, home to small shops and the flowering bridge, is now washed away. The Alpine Inn in Little Switzerland where we stayed one night during our end-to-end Blue Ridge Parkway trip has now fallen down the mountain where it once perched over one of the most beautiful valleys we had ever seen. In the River Arts District of Asheville, where the gallery owners are both shopkeeper and artist, where we loved to visit and talk with the artists and watch them create, they experienced flooding that nearly covered their buildings. Our neighboring towns of Waynesville and Canton, who experienced devastating floods only three years ago with Tropical Storm Fred, were once again devastated by the destructive flood waters of Helene.
Yesterday, we went out to Darnell Farms to help distribute food to those in need. For anyone who has ever visited us here in the mountains, you know Darnell Farms, the swing sets overlooking the Tuckasegee River, the fresh produce at the market, and of course, the Dream Whips. This farm experienced unexpected loss when the river came out of its banks and wiped out their most recent crop. In this time of great loss, they have turned their efforts to providing for community outreach and are giving away what they have. We were able to bring back a car load of fresh produce and cases of water to Sylva to be given to those impacted.
Today, we did welfare checks on people in Asheville who were reported missing days ago by their loved ones. We then ventured back to Jackson County, our home, and assisted unloading private planes as one after another flew in with relief supplies. These supplies are going immediately to the hardest hit areas and can hopefully provide some sense of comfort to those most affected.
While there is loss all around us, there is also an outpouring of love. Everywhere you turn there is another example of neighbor helping neighbor.
Many of you have reached out to ask how we are doing and how you can help. We are grateful we had minimal impacts in our immediate area and we can now turn our efforts to helping those around us. For anyone looking to help those impacted, let us know. We can provide avenues of support.
Growing up in Southwest Louisiana, we are not strangers to storms, their devastation, and their lasting impacts. We have also seen the community and compassion that arises in this type of need. We know the road to rebuilding is long and difficult. Our friends and family along the coast have shown us it is possible.
Thank you for checking on us. Thank you for loving our community.
