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| Many wonder: "What will happen now?" (Downtown Marshall, NC; Pic-Madison County Library) |
The aftermath of the storm revealed the devastation that was left. The little town of Marshall, NC was covered with water. On one side of Marshall is the river and the other is a mountain. The water had nowhere to go but up as it came raging through. It covered the streets and downtown area up to the second story of buildings (about 19 feet). As the flood waters receded, businesses were caked in mud and sludge. In Asheville, the businesses along the French Broad River were completely destroyed. Biltmore Village, the entrance to the famous Biltmore house, was covered with water. East of Asheville are Swannanoa and Black Mountain. Both of those faced extreme devastation. I was finally able to text a Christian brother who lives in Swannanoa, and he described 3-4 feet ruts in his driveway (praise the Lord that he is safe).
The power on The Voice property was finally restored about 48 hours after we lost it. Internet connection and cell phones came up about the same time. Family and friends had been trying to contact us, but we had been completely disconnected from all service. The local electric co-op has done a great job at restoring power in our area; however, there are those throughout the mountain communities, up hollers, and on remote ridges that have been entirely cut-off and will not get power/water back for weeks, maybe longer. In locations all around the mountains, bridges are washed out, trees are down (some trees look as if they simply exploded), roads are washed away and some towns like Chimney Rock are gone. Down river from Chimney Rock, the beautiful Lake Lure, where we enjoyed our honeymoon has been filled by the debris of the town of Chimney Rock. Our cell phone service is still spotty at times around the area. USPS has suffered severe impairments. Banking has been strained to supply cash since any business that was able to open could only accept cash (So much for the idea of becoming a “cashless” society). Grocery supply was spoiled, and healthcare was put on hold. Our own local hospital had already been under fire for poor management and inadequate staffing, and now is operating without water. Just over the mountain, a new hospital had been built, but that was overcome by the raging Nolichucky River, all patients had to be evacuated by helicopter and the building is now a complete loss.
As we left our property in search of food, water, banking, and mailing services, the atmosphere reminded us of when we spent time serving in Venezuela. The gas lines were long, the ATM was crowded, some people waited 30+hours in line for groceries at the store. How quickly the America we know can change. In a blink, we all were looking for the old timey radios, using walkie talkies, pulling out the propane grill, and counting our cash.
The clean up from this devastation in Western NC and Eastern TN will take years. Interstates will need to be restored. Business will need to be rebuilt. Trees will grow up in places that they were torn down. People will mourn the loss of hundreds of lives. Churches have poured supplies into, cities, towns, and even the hollers where just a few families have lived for multiple generations. Some of these mountain-born, mountain-raised are even finding it emotionally overwhelming to accept the "flood" of support now pouring into their communities. Others digging out, wonder if FEMA will help them rebuild everything that was lost. Mortgage and insurance companies are offering no help to victims because flood coverage was not within their policy. Many also will struggle through bureaucratic red-tape and regulations imposed on their communities in the aftermath of a disaster. Politico reports the following on October 2, 2024, in lieu of the Hurricane Helene devastation:
Residents without insurance can receive emergency aid from FEMA after a disaster. But FEMA typically gives households only a few thousand dollars for emergency expenses and minor home repairs.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development occasionally makes billions of dollars of disaster aid available to homeowners. But it typically takes two to three years after a disaster to get the money to households.
And the SBA offers low-interest loans to homeowners and renters of up to $500,000 to repair property damage and up to $100,000 to repair or replace personal property. But the SBA lends money only to people with adequate credit scores.
You may be asking yourself, what can I do?
Pray—pray for those in Western NC to be saved. I had talked with a friend from Raleigh and told her that Asheville is a wicked city, most recently known as “Beer City USA.” On a side note: Many of those beer joints were washed away...perhaps to never open again. May God use this tragedy to save some soul. I asked my friend from Swannanoa what he needed. He replied, “Revival”…..something that we all need. In the midst of the rebuilding of the wall Nehemiah asked God to listen to the prayers of those that feared him. Nehemiah 1:11 “O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” #ButGod
Participate—through your local church. Many have sent needed supplies. Some have given online to meet specific needs. After initial response, the long road to recovery will require great financial support. (On our website, click on “Hurricane Helene Update.”) Ephesians 4:16 “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” #GodCan
Provide—the work of the Lord is still going on around the world. This ministry has existed for over 70 years from faithful servants who have prayed and given sacrificially. Extra expenses will be incurred due to our current situation, and some who normally give will not be able to give because of the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Will you consider stepping up in their place? Due to the strain on our local USPS service, please consider using our online giving options found at www.thevoiceinthewilderness.org. You may also call our office at 828-649-1043 to complete the transaction by phone. Writing to the Philippian church, Paul said, “For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” #GodWill Amen!
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