As the hurricane season approaches, the mountain communities of Western North Carolina are on high alert, still reeling from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene nearly two years ago. The storm, which struck on September 27, 2024, left a trail of destruction, claiming over 100 lives and destroying thousands of homes and businesses.
Residents like Jackie Fenstermacher and her sister Cynthia Dunn, who live in Fairview, North Carolina, are still haunted by the memories of that day. Their home was obliterated when rising creek waters and debris from a nearby sawmill battered it. “It was like the house was being bombed,” Fenstermacher recalled, describing how they floated on a bed for miles before being rescued from a pile of debris two days later.
Community Support and Recovery Efforts
In the aftermath, the sisters have lived in temporary accommodations, including FEMA housing and sheds. With assistance from Divine Disaster Relief, a local organization, they are temporarily staying in Airbnb rentals while raising funds for a new home. “We’re all still playing catch up,” said Celestiel Balson, a case manager with the organization, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by many residents still in temporary housing.
Meanwhile, Buncombe County is taking proactive steps to enhance its emergency preparedness. On June 2, county commissioners approved funding to convert an old JCPenney building into the county’s first standalone emergency operations center. This facility will integrate emergency management services and public safety communications, ensuring seamless coordination among local, state, and federal partners during future disasters.
Looking Ahead
The new emergency operations center is expected to be operational in a few years, providing a dedicated space for managing disasters. “It’s really important to have dedicated space,” said Timothy Love, Buncombe County’s Assistant Manager, emphasizing the unpredictability of disasters and the need for efficient communication and response.
As the community braces for the upcoming hurricane season, the memories of Hurricane Helene serve as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability and the importance of preparedness and resilience.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
