In late September, I attended a conference in Cherokee, NC. My travel companions and I set out for home on a Friday morning, bracing for some weather-related issues from Hurricane Helene, but we were completely unprepared for what lay ahead – multiple road closures, downed trees and power lines, flooding and mudslides. We were rerouted to Asheville which was without power, or WiFi, and had experienced widespread damage. It felt like a surreal blend of The Walking Dead and Survivor – maybe a bit dramatic, but it was far from pleasant.
We ended up in an Ingle’s parking lot, which felt a bit sketchy, and we were running low on gas. Someone told us that a nearby Publix had power and WiFi, but as we prepared to leave, our car battery died. So, we spent the night in that parking lot, relying on the kindness of strangers until we got help the next day.
This experience restored a little of my faith in humanity. I may not remember everyone’s name, but here’s a heartfelt shout-out to a few who made a difference:
- Brian and Jen gave us a ride, so we could contact our loved ones.
- A group of strangers tracked down jumper cables and got our car started.
- The lady at Ingle’s shared gas from her own can when there was none available.
- The truck driver stayed overnight in Ingle’s parking lot, keeping a watchful eye on all of us.
- Robin generously shared toilet paper and water.
- Juan brought a power strip to Publix, so everyone could charge their devices.
- A kind nurse offered four strangers a place to stay at her townhouse on Saturday night.
- And, the Publix staff in Asheville, who did an outstanding job serving the flood of people in need of WiFi and groceries.
Lastly, a huge thank you to my friend’s husband, who came to our rescue with gas, a new battery and water for those we were leaving behind. I’m still amazed at how he made it through the roadblocks, but we were beyond grateful.
We spent just 36 hours in Western NC following the aftermath of Helene, and it was terrifying. My heart goes out to those still grappling with its effects.
During that short time, I learned a few key lessons:
- God is good. He guided me and my travel companions through the experience, and we emerged safely with a positive outcome.
- People are inherently good. We encountered numerous acts of generosity and support from strangers along the way.
- We are too reliant on technology. The absence of WiFi left many people on edge, a reminder of how dependent we’ve become.
- I can survive without coffee.
Preparedness is key. Keeping a “survival kit” in your car – snacks, water, jumper cables, and cash – is a really good idea, especially when bad weather is predicted.
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