10/07/2024
I wanted you all to know that we are okay here. But also, we have been hearing some pretty disturbing and untrue news about what is happening here. Friends and family have told us that the news they are listening to are reporting things that simply are not happening. People from here who have driven out of the area have heard untrue rumors from the people in SC, etc. We have heard that there is widespread aggression, violence, guns, stealing, and that FEMA is turning people away, that tires are being slashed, that the power company is lying to us about what is happening, etc, etc. I have only seen 2 incidents of aggression while driving around this area. Both involved trucks with political signs all over. Lots of anger.
Although I can't say that some have not done things, I can say we are in the thick of things here and that is not what we see. People are people and they do things out of fear or anger, but I have seen no sign of what we are hearing and the people we have talked to haven't either. One thing about this situation is that you talk to so many people from all walks of life and beliefs. We have been all over Weaverville and Asheville trying to get signals, internet, cell service, gas, propane and food. Here is what I see and what others tell me:
People are working together. Communities and strangers are coming together to help each other in small and huge ways. I can give you example after example of this. FEMA has been amazing. Helicopters are flying over bringing supplies, assessing damage, and the military has a presence. Yes, the first few days the stores were emptied, there was very little gas to be had, the lines were long and people were stranded. But, help came and in a big way. My neighbors told me there was so much food and water being made available, it was more than they needed. Water tankers from FEMA are all over the county for people to get containers filled, people like us with generators are giving people water from their wells. I have stood in lines with people while we got to know each other and trading news. The power company and FEMA are putting out news about what is going on and what I see agrees with that news not what I am hearing from outside.
Two stories that warmed my heart. One couple I was talking to in line at the hardware store told me that all the political signs, etc now seem so silly and unimportant. I am pretty sure we were on different ends of the political spectrum and I feel that way too about the political stuff. I wish the rest of the country could understand that. The other happened yesterday. I was at a friend and neighbor's house in her driveway using the precious 3 bars of signal she had there. (We don't have any cell service at our house yet) Her car wasn't there. Her neighbor walked across the road and asked me if I was ok. I explained why I was there and where I lived and we introduced ourselves since I guessed he was making sure her house was watched. We talked for a good while and he felt it important to tell me he was a Trump supporter. He then said that he believed the politicians were trying to divide us and it was up to us to make sure that didn't happen. We agreed we wouldn't allow it in our lives and the conversation moved on to other things.
I read yesterday that this is a 1000 year storm that we couldn't have imagined. Just on my road, a neighbor's house was destroyed by flooding, their outbuildings destroyed, washed down the raging creek that flooded the roads, vehicles and pets lost. Another neighbor's top floor of his house is gone and there are countless other stories. There are so many lines down on our road, that the power company is going to have to start all over for us to get power. We might have power in a week, maybe longer. But gas and propane are plentiful, the stores are fully stocked, people are kinder, gentler, friendlier.
We were driving back from a gathering of people, most of whom we didn't know before, that warmed our hearts and we saw lights twinkling in houses that didn't have power yesterday, something to celebrate. These people at Duke Power and FEMA are working night and day and we see it. The truth is being sent to us by emails and texts. So don't believe everything you are told. Some news outlets want people to be upset and afraid. We lost a lot but we seem to have gained a lot too.
If you hear something, check it out with someone who is here. We are looking out for each other and sharing news as we get it. Actual truth, not the rumors.
Love to you all,
Robyn
