Surviving Helene

My photo, 10 feet flooding, my backyard

 Reflecting after 3 weeks...

(Yes it's both a rant and a thankfulness--it's impossible for me to separate atthis time, and if that disappoints some, then don't continue reading. There will be more, so much more, but for now...sighs. This is what it is. I'll be back to myself, and lighter again. Soon. For today, for this post, I'm not going to pretend it's all okay.).

Things have, in many areas, returned to 'civilized'. I can't say normal,because we're slowly discovering what the new 'normal (a term I've never liked)is. Power, internet (spotty still), phone, mail, garbage pick-up, and water arerestored--here. Gas is available as are limited groceries (mostly d/t the maingrocery chain's distribution for the entire area served (several states) wasdestroyed).
The northern end of this county remains closed, a nightmare, and destroyed.Many people are still missing, and the 'rescue' is now 'recovery'. (If youdon't understand the difference...rescue is hoping to find live victims;recovery is knowing when--IF--they are found, they will be dead).

Many stores, businesses, and private homes are closed--with no date forreopening. Ruined debris litter is stacked in front of so many places. (Youshould have seen the twisted exercise machines from Planet Fitness. Youcouldn't tell what some of it was). Some small businesses, I'm so afraid, maynever return.

Lake Lure

Roads are mostly clear, though two-to-story-high piles of trees & debrisremain, and probably will for weeks. Back and side roads are still'try-at-your-own-risk'. Power trucks are still staged in the old mall parkinglot. Chainsaws run all around me from dawn to well after nightfall (usingvehicle lights). Heavy vehicles (front-end loaders, dump trucks, etc.) continueto 'muck out' the once shallow rivers around here--that now have new paths& beds.

US Interstate 40W, NC/TN states line

Most distribution sites are closed. Churches have 'call us if you needsomething' notices on their billboards.
The lines to apply for disaster aid called 'D-Snap' (food assistance) &FEMA aid (this county NEVER EVER had LIVE AGENTS on the ground here. DO NOARGUE THIS WITH ME). I damn well know bc I f-ing live here--we are the 2ndlargest county & never saw what Asheville did nor did any 'armed milia'threaten any government agency here) are miles, yes, MILES long.
Aid Phone lines are backed up for hours (I called for one of my student'sfamily, and waited over 2.5 hrs. only to be told 'we are now closed tocalls'--the next day, I used the 'agent will call you back when it's your turn'feature & never received a call back) and don't accept calls on Sundays;weekdays are only 8a-4p (they close the lines at 3p) and Sat from 9a-12p.

Photo by me, 10.7.24

Schools are back in session, and people have returned to work--here. Someplaces --here--look like Helene never existed: Jump Off Rock, for example. Busservice (such as it was, lol) has not resumed, nor has the recycling program.Trains aren't running. Private small planes and helicopter aid can land at thelocal airport, but the hangers are destroyed.

People are walking around in a daze. I'm one. We're the same and yet different;I see friends, neighbors, ppl I know working at the grocery store and we allhave this same sort of vacant, damaged, uncertain expression.

We haven't had rain since Helene. That's a long space for this area, which is heavilyagricultural. I think many of us are terrified of rain and will be for a long,long time.

But the sky is still filled with stars and northern lights (or was). The moonstill rises, and so does the sun. I can still see the gently rolling mountains,hills, and valleys of this place that captured my heart when I was still just atiny child. I can't imagine living anywhere else., even as I joke about buyinga castle in Ireland or Scotland. It's getting colder, we had our first lightfrost, and I love watching the different colors of the trees--and leaves-- thatstill remain.

Northern Lights, Nov. 2024

I am blessed. Here. I have survived.

Footnote: I say 'here' a lot. Because I know if I walk down this road towardtown, I will see the businesses and houses that once bordered the small creekand they are destroyed. If I drive a mile in any direction, the scars of Heleneare everywhere: ruined buildings, thick dust and mud, broken trees, tarps,power lines left wrapped around tree debris. Towns around this one are NOT'here' yet: even the biggest is just starting to get drinkable water in smallspots. Some towns that used to be there, aren't anymore. It's not the area itwas 9.25.24. It never will be again.

But here is home. And as Dorothy found out long ago, there really is no placelike home.

God Bless WNC.