Stuck In North Carolina

Part of the Series: North Carolina Still NEEDS HELP

| North Carolina | USA | Natural Disasters | Hurricanes | Hurricane Helene | Flooding | Disaster Relief | Long-term Aid | Problems | Solutions | People Matter | Charity | Compassion | Homelessness |

Please note video and article links shared in this article are from varying dates covering the event from September 2024. Please pay attention to the dates in reference to timeline and possible changes in information and circumstances. Please fact check at your own discretion. Thank you!

In September of 2024, the western state of North Carolina was devasted by Hurricane Helene by historic proportions. Residents and visitors alike were totally unprepared for the life-threatening floods that submerged iconic cities and washed away homes and towns in rural areas.?

Months later, residents are still in dire need of help to survive while finding a way out of "homelessness." Locals have been frustrated (to say the least) with how the US government and media have handled the disaster, leaving them to feel ignored and mostly fending for themselves. Many have been and are still depending on charity from local churches, organizations and volunteering to see them through.

The support and care they've received from fellow Americans has been inspirational as are their stories of resilience and determination. But for the many still rebuilding, still grieving the loss of loved ones, their lives will never be the same. And as government assistance runs low, fear of the future resides and alternative solutions need attention.?

Hurricane Helene Destroyed This Beautiful Town—See Their Incredible Comeback Story | Chimney Rock

North Carolina hurricane victims still waiting for relief | FOX 5 News

Bitter wind, cold strikes fear across western North Carolina for those still reeling from Helene

"They've Been FORGOTTEN": Hurricane Helene Victims Fending for Themselves?

Disclaimer: While other states from Florida to New York were effected by Hurricane Helene as well, this series will focus on North Carolina due to my personal involvement there over the past couple of years and how it influenced my starting this journal.

Personal Insight: I still chose not to write about North Carolina until now because of circumstances in my own life and for anyone who finds it meaningful, you can read my guilt-ridden confession about it here, the lesson applied, along with details about another hurricane we faced in Florida, Hurricane Milton, during one of the worst seasons experienced in my lifetime.?

North Carolina Icons: Mountains Guide

The western end of North Carolina is a mountainous region, part of the Appalachian region with steep hills and plenty of woodlands. The area has a humid, rainy climate.?

While there are some main highways, there are moreso narrow, often single-lane roads acting as the only access to people's houses. Destruction to these roads, along with destruction of communication systems, caused difficulties in mobilizing relief efforts and survivors being able to get out.

Hurricane rains were essentially dumped on western North Carolina causing landslides and creating new streams or contributing to overflowing already existing rivers, which led to extreme flooding. Houses floated down the rivers, sometimes with people still inside them.?

Besides impacts to human, animal life and infrastructure, the flooding and winds were so severe that they actually changed the natural geography in certain areas. The cities of Ashville and Boone (popular tourist sites) became almost unrecognizable and the state has taken an economic hit as a result.?

Catastrophic Flooding in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee- Why Is It So Bad There? [Geography101]

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Social Media has played a big role in exposure of the dire situation in North Carolina from day one as people told their own stories or covered stories and sites in the area. Major funding has also been received through social media outlets like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram.?

For the same reason, misinformation is inevitable or sometimes deliberate and a separate campaign by media, gov and FEMA officials has arisen as they've been forced to provide answers to give to the public addressing rumors or lies (references below).?

Still, the stories from locals continue to express the gapping distrust of authorities and disappointment of their experience with (or rather without) officials.?

There is no denial that the government through FEMA has provided some assistance; but there is also no denial that victims of the disaster have had to depend on each other and outside help in a way they couldn't have anticipated.?

Now, they wonder even moreso if they will be forgotten as the California wildfires and other significant events dominate media headlines.?

But if there's anywhere people are willing to "pull themselves up by their own bootstraps", it's among the resilient, mountain-spirited people of North Carolina.??

Even so, it may be times like this that teach us how important an outstretched hand can be and that no matter how mountain-tough or resilient, we can't always do it alone, nor would we prefer to. So, please don't forget the people of North Carolina. They still need your help and prayers!?

And maybe... just maybe, the government needs our help too. Let's all work together in harmony ^_^ #WeThePeople

If you know of ways to help, please share them with the rest of us or consider volunteering with one of the many organizations still committed to being there for their neighbors.?

I will continue to raise awareness through stories like this one, so stay tuned and thank you for reading! Please like, share, comment and please send me any valuable information you may have to lend to making the lives of victims a little more bearable!?

God bless,?

iam:ForeverBlessed

Where Is FEMA? How Disaster Relief Is Failing Americans

THE TRUTH: PEOPLE ARE FREEZING TO DEATH! (posted Dec 2024)

Experts predict WNC's recovery, reflecting on New Orleans' post Katrina experiences

The First 24 Hours After Helene || Video footage I Haven't Posted Until Now

Fact Check: California, North Carolina get same recovery cost coverage from federal gov’t

Cover photo credits:?https://www.flickr.com/photos/scguard/54045743887/in/photostream/