Gas trucks roll onto the scene
Plus: 29,000 customers still without power; Mental health concerns arise; False rumors spread on social media; Northern Lights shine over the mountains
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Two weeks ago, Western North Carolina went dark, and as people left their homes to survey the damage or search for food and water, the full extent of the power outage became clear. The question of “does my car have enough gas to get me out?” plagued minds. No power meant gas stations were inoperable — and that’s just if you could find a safe route to one. Leaving became a gamble.
Rumors spread on Facebook that a few gas stations in the Asheville area were open. Hospital staff and rescue vehicles were given priority to fill up in the beginning. Gas stations only accepted cash, and there was a limit to how many gallons customers could purchase. People became territorial. The fear of having gas siphoned out of your car in the middle of the night grew.
Gas stations on the outskirts, like in Shelby, became overrun, with lines 30 cars deep, WCNC reported. One Asheville resident joined the gas line on foot, worried their car wouldn’t have enough gas to make it to the station.
But, as relief efforts arrived, gas trucks did too. When I was driving through Black Mountain on Sunday, I watched as cars pulled up to a truck offering free gas in an empty parking lot along US-70. People were fueling up their cars right from the truck, like newborn puppies latched to their mother. I couldn’t help but stare at the bizarre sight. I know “apocalyptic” has become The Adjective over the past two weeks, but it truly encompasses the end-of-days feel in Western North Carolina.
Hearts with Hands, an Asheville-based disaster relief organization, posted on Instagram that a truck would be parked on Warren Wilson Road in Swannanoa yesterday and today, offering 10 free gallons of gasoline and other supplies. (Photo courtesy of Hearts with Hands)
Now that power is back in most areas, gas stations are functional again, but the new obstacle is whether the roadways to stations are accessible for tanks to refill.
Let’s check in with our western neighbors today:
Power update: About 29,000 customers remain without power in Western North Carolina, according to the Duke Energy power outage map. It’s safe to assume that most people who are still without power live in hard-to-reach places or near highly damaged substations and power lines.
Missing people in Rutherford accounted for: Rutherford County authorities have accounted for all 1,107 people who were reported missing, while confirming three storm-related deaths, as cleanup efforts led by the National Guard continue in hard-hit areas like Lake Lure. (WLOS)
Asheville’s homeless affected: In Asheville, Helene has disproportionately affected the homeless community, with 72 confirmed deaths in Buncombe County, including at least two who were homeless. Many homeless people were in vulnerable areas along rivers, and as shelters are strained and people have been left homeless, organizations like Homeward Bound and the National Alliance to End Homelessness are emphasizing the need for coordinated recovery efforts. (Citizen Times)
Mental health concerns: Mental health concerns are rising due to the emotional toll and trauma the devastation has had on people in affected areas, WLOS reported. Mental health professionals are encouraging people who are suffering to seek therapy sooner rather than later to prevent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Cooper visits Lake Lure: Gov. Roy Cooper visited Lake Lure this week to assess the damage and area’s needs in person. Over 60 Lake Lure residents were unaccounted for at the time, and essential services like water and electricity have been disrupted. Mayor Carol Pritchett emphasized the need for increased emergency services and funding to address ongoing infrastructure issues, particularly for wastewater management. Damage could take months or even years to repair. (Citizen Times)
What about farm animals? In Flat Rock, the Animals R Us veterinary clinic is distributing donations of over 20,000 pounds of hay and twelve tons of livestock feed to support farmers and pet owners, with donations coming from as far as Missouri. The website says to contact the clinic if you’re interested in donating.
Tweetsie Railroad plans to reopen Nov. 29: Tweetsie Railroad, the 67-year-old amusement park in Blowing Rock, will remain closed for the rest of the fall season due to damage from the storm, according to its website, but plans to reopen for the holiday season on Nov. 29.
A heartwarming call from a teacher: Fifth-grader Molly Bloemendaal, who lives in Banner Elk, has been out of school for more than two weeks. Her teacher, Libby Gragg, called her on Monday to check in, instantly lifting Molly’s mood. Gragg did the same for every fifth-grader. (Charlotte Observer)
McRig rolls in: McDonald’s mobile food truck, called the “McRig,” was in Asheville this week serving free meals to those affected by Helene.
False rumors fly on social media; ‘Buzzards everywhere’
It’s not surprising that misinformation about Western North Carolina has been swirling around social media. With spotty cell service and no reliable internet, Facebook has become a place where many folks have turned to get updates on the situation. And in true Facebook fashion, the truth sometimes gets muddled.
It seems obvious to me (someone on the outside) that conspiracy theories like the government created the hurricane aren’t true, but Western North Carolina is still pretty isolated right now and it’s easy to believe the impossible when the impossible (a massive hurricane in the mountains) has already happened.
The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer posted an “NC Reality Check” slide deck on Instagram a couple of days ago debunking some of those rumors.
Other claims like “1,000 unidentified bodies” and “buzzards everywhere” were shut down yesterday by state officials, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Buncombe County spokeswoman Lillian Govus said the rumors — including one about 2,000 people trapped in a Candler church — are hindering emergency response efforts by diverting resources away from lifesaving activities.
Kody Kinsley, secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, told The Observer that the rumor about hundreds of dead bodies piled up is “disinformation,” and as of Wednesday afternoon, North Carolina was working on identifying four bodies. Search and recovery efforts are still underway.
Photo/video of the day: Northern Lights shine over Western North Carolina
Last night, the Northern Lights were visible in Western North Carolina. Images of the green, red and purple lights were all over my social media feed this morning, and I could almost feel the deep breath exhaled by the region through my phone screen.
Last night was a small gift. It was a reminder that while nature can be brutal and devastating, it can also be magical and healing. The mountains are a home and safe space to many, and nothing can take that away.
Local photographer Rey Castillo Jr. took a time-lapse video of the dancing Northern Lights over the Swannanoa Valley. It’s truly breathtaking.
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Lindsey Banks is a staff reporter with The Charlotte Ledger. Reach her at lindsey@cltledger.com.
How to help
You may have noticed mornings have been chilly in Charlotte recently. Many organizations have put out a call for warm clothes and blankets as temperatures drop in the mountains, too. You can donate to their efforts at the links below.
Hearts with Hands, a local disaster relief organization, has a donation page to provide food, supplies and water.
United Way of North Carolina has established a fund to help residents affected by the flooding.
MANNA Foodbank, which serves 16 counties in Western North Carolina, is accepting food, supplies and monetary donations. The organization’s warehouse on Swannanoa River Road in Asheville was damaged by the hurricane.
The American Red Cross is accepting donations to help residents in the Southeast.
Samaritan’s Purse, which is headquartered in Boone, is scheduling volunteers to help with debris cleanup.
Operation Blessing has a donation page to provide food, supplies and water.
E4E Relief, a Charlotte-headquartered provider of emergency financial relief programs on behalf of corporations, is accepting donations for their newly established Hurricane Helene Community Fund, offering financial support to individuals with long-term impacts from Hurricane Helene.
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Staff writer: Lindsey Banks; Business manager: Brie Chrisman