Helene Update:
A BRIDGE TO SUMMER
This Friday will mark four weeks since Helene’s tragic devastation of WNC and Asheville. It landed Thursday, September 26th in Florida and spewed destruction through GA, SC, NC, and TN. Our hearts go out to all those affected by the storm and we send our sympathy and hope to all that were in its path.
I will be focusing on the Asheville area as this is home for us. We work here and our kids grew up here. Ironically, twenty years ago we had a similar event with remnants of two hurricanes dumping rain and creating six feet of water in Biltmore Village. Nina and I were married that month in 2004 and last month we returned from our 20th anniversary trip at midnight just beating the storm here.
Because of the event in 2004, some people knew it could be bad, however it would be limited to a few areas. It turned out the difference between these two events was severe twenty years ago and epic last month. Our geography is wonderful except in certain rare events where it becomes a detriment. Many factors came together as we discovered “predecessor events” and updrafts creating heavier rain. The result was scary and tragic!
You have seen many of the pictures and stories of angels working nonstop to help neighbors and people they had never met before. FEMA, federal and state governments have been everywhere and so very helpful. Manna Food Bank lost their facility and two days later were up and running helping people. Volunteers from many other states came and helped while millions donated to help non-profits here. Thank you all.
These are well chronicled by far better writers so I would like to turn your attention to our unfolding crisis. The River Arts District and Biltmore Village were hit especially hard, however Downtown and The South Slope as well as West Asheville are almost untouched. They just need water! Once we have water, tourists can start returning and we will rebuild.
Most of us, but not all have had power return and cell and internet after a week to ten days depending on location. The water experts did an incredible job getting water to many of us last week which works for flushing and some dishwashers. Unfortunately, we don’t have drinking water available yet. We have lots of bottled drinking water available here. The issue is that for the most part, restaurants and hotels and microbreweries can’t open until we get regular water and that may be 2 weeks to 8 weeks or more….
We are a town that generates a lot of revenue from the above businesses so we are facing an economic tsunami after navigating our way through the human tragedy. Our 4th quarter is one of the biggest seasons for us and most of the revenue potential is gone. Local small businesses and their workforce are facing almost a complete stoppage of income which means a lot less cash flow in the whole area so everyone suffers. Some employers are paying their people out of savings, but most can’t do this for long if at all. I know some have filled out loan requests, however that is a difficult and arduous process and it may not work out soon if at all.
A bridge to summer is needed desperately.
Most people from the mountains are independent as hell and don’t want charity, however right now we need your help. If businesses can survive until we get good water, locals will do the hard work to make sure Asheville comes back stronger than ever... We need more help.
If you choose a GoFundMe or donate outright that is incredible and very appreciated, however, I would urge you to consider local small businesses as your choice.
Another great option to consider is gift cards. If you can buy $50, $100 or more of gift cards, the business owner has that cash to use now. If you come to visit next year, you can redeem the gift cards when they have more cash flow.
This injection of cash for a small local owner can mean income for their workers and survival for their business. It’s an immediate “loan” that they don’t have to repay for months. And it creates a double bonus as we are hoping you will visit later in the year to enjoy and support Asheville.
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