What has happened in the Western NC breaks my heart. I live in Greenville, SC and we got hit pretty hard here, but nothing like Western NC. My daughter evacuated Asheville on Sunday to come here. It had been 36 hours since I heard from her. My son also left Asheville, but he is back now, clearing his own property and helping others. It is going to be years of rebuilding. They don't want us there now. but months from now, they will need our help. Watch for calls for volunteers and as Sara suggests, donate to the organizations on the ground now.
I have family there as well. They are safe but without electricity, water or cell service. They will need help for weeks to come. So glad your mom is safe.
Your great-grandparents took the train from Florida to Franklin, NC. From Franklin, NC they took a stagecoach from Franklin over the mountains (2 day trip camping out) to Balsam NC circa 1908-1910.
We are so grateful to them and our parents for having the foresight to invest in this area so future generations of our family can benefit from its beauty and joys this
area provides to many people.
Although I may not agree politically with the residents here, they are kind, loving, humble souls. They didn’t deserve this. No one deserves it.
Who would have thought towns and cities this far inland would have experienced such devastating weather? These areas will take a long time to heal.
Meals on Wheels of Haywood County planned ahead and had its volunteers take 10 extra non-perishable meals to each home last Wednesday. I thought that’s kind but probably not necessary as I’m from Florida and know about hurricanes. I need to check my ego at the door
Ah - train to stagecoach. That makes much more sense. Thanks for the clarification. I'm so happy Meals on Wheels thought ahead. Those meals are desperately needed!
I'm so grateful your mom is safe, and I wish I could give you a hug. Not to make you feel better, although I hope it would, but to connect with someone who understands the true magic of these mountains and the level of desperation and devastation I feel. As a NC native, so many of my seminal memories bounce around those hills. Having to watch from a distance as they literally slide away has been indescribable. My Joy Luck Club entry tomorrow will also be about this, and I'm planning to include a list of verified outreach efforts from all of my contacts on the ground in NC. We cannot amplify these ways to help enough, especially because, as you so deftly stated, their need for help will extend well beyond any news cycle. Love your people. Do what you can. Take care.
Thank you so much for sharing this, Sara. October is such a huge draw to this area and I know the devastation will continue to impact lives and livelihoods. I'm glad your family is safe -- but still, I'm sure it's a helpless kind of feeling for you -- and so many.
Thanks, Stacy - It's a weird kind of grief. I almost feel guilty because I'm torn up over it and haven't actually experienced any of it. We have plans to be there over the holiday, and my daughter called this morning to ask if we should change our plans. I'm thinking no - besides donating money, pouring into the economy is one of the best things we can do.
I agree. I used to be a marketing director for a tourism bureau and I can’t imagine the work ahead for all the infrastructure and rebuilding and healing, but also for people’s whose livelihoods depend on tourism dollars.
To my dear Sara❤️from your not wanna be
What has happened in the Western NC breaks my heart. I live in Greenville, SC and we got hit pretty hard here, but nothing like Western NC. My daughter evacuated Asheville on Sunday to come here. It had been 36 hours since I heard from her. My son also left Asheville, but he is back now, clearing his own property and helping others. It is going to be years of rebuilding. They don't want us there now. but months from now, they will need our help. Watch for calls for volunteers and as Sara suggests, donate to the organizations on the ground now.
Thank you, Wendy. So glad your kids are safe. 🙏
So sorry. It is such a special area. So glad your mom and family are safe. xoxo
Thanks, Darcy.
My heart hurts reading this, but I am so glad your family is safe.
Thank you.
I have family there as well. They are safe but without electricity, water or cell service. They will need help for weeks to come. So glad your mom is safe.
Thanks, Brenda. Let us know how things go with your family. Glad they are safe.
but controlling Mother.
Your great-grandparents took the train from Florida to Franklin, NC. From Franklin, NC they took a stagecoach from Franklin over the mountains (2 day trip camping out) to Balsam NC circa 1908-1910.
We are so grateful to them and our parents for having the foresight to invest in this area so future generations of our family can benefit from its beauty and joys this
area provides to many people.
Although I may not agree politically with the residents here, they are kind, loving, humble souls. They didn’t deserve this. No one deserves it.
Who would have thought towns and cities this far inland would have experienced such devastating weather? These areas will take a long time to heal.
Meals on Wheels of Haywood County planned ahead and had its volunteers take 10 extra non-perishable meals to each home last Wednesday. I thought that’s kind but probably not necessary as I’m from Florida and know about hurricanes. I need to check my ego at the door
Ah - train to stagecoach. That makes much more sense. Thanks for the clarification. I'm so happy Meals on Wheels thought ahead. Those meals are desperately needed!
Sending love & strength. Will look at donation link. xo
Thanks, Emily!
I'm so grateful your mom is safe, and I wish I could give you a hug. Not to make you feel better, although I hope it would, but to connect with someone who understands the true magic of these mountains and the level of desperation and devastation I feel. As a NC native, so many of my seminal memories bounce around those hills. Having to watch from a distance as they literally slide away has been indescribable. My Joy Luck Club entry tomorrow will also be about this, and I'm planning to include a list of verified outreach efforts from all of my contacts on the ground in NC. We cannot amplify these ways to help enough, especially because, as you so deftly stated, their need for help will extend well beyond any news cycle. Love your people. Do what you can. Take care.
Oh, Jess. Thank you—beautiful words, and you described how I feel (how we both feel) so wonderfully. I look forward to reading your piece tomorrow!
Thank you. It was tough to write, but I feel like writing is the one thing I can do.
Thank you so much for sharing this, Sara. October is such a huge draw to this area and I know the devastation will continue to impact lives and livelihoods. I'm glad your family is safe -- but still, I'm sure it's a helpless kind of feeling for you -- and so many.
Thanks, Stacy - It's a weird kind of grief. I almost feel guilty because I'm torn up over it and haven't actually experienced any of it. We have plans to be there over the holiday, and my daughter called this morning to ask if we should change our plans. I'm thinking no - besides donating money, pouring into the economy is one of the best things we can do.
I agree. I used to be a marketing director for a tourism bureau and I can’t imagine the work ahead for all the infrastructure and rebuilding and healing, but also for people’s whose livelihoods depend on tourism dollars.
The first part of my comment was:
To my dear Sara ❤️ from your ‘not wanna be but are’ controlling Mother.
I started and stopped so many times the first part was deleted.