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Residents describe blackout and isolation after Hurricane Helene, thank nearby cities for aid
Summary
At a public meeting, two residents said Hurricane Helene left their area without power and communications and credited Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh and Wilmington for sending emergency crews and supplies; one speaker urged those cities to return for conferences and retreats to support recovery.
Two residents speaking at a public meeting described immediate, prolonged power outages and isolation in their mountain community after Hurricane Helene and credited nearby cities with sending emergency aid.
Resident 1, a resident, said, "When this hurricane hit, we had no power right away. It was like a postapocalyptic HBO show, and I'm not kidding." The speaker said people in the neighborhood used battery-powered radios for information and sat in cars and garages to stay connected: "People would sit my husband would sit in our garage, in our car, and listen to the radio because that's the only way you could get any information."
Resident 2, a resident, said regional mutual aid was important to the community: "It's really important as we try to think about the entire state of North Carolina and what the mountains have gone through that I think it was almost an imperative to support the people of Asheville and all of those that were impacted by the Helene."
Both speakers named specific municipal responses. Resident 1 said Charlotte provided personnel and "boots on the ground," Greensboro sent staff from its water department, Raleigh supplied pipes to rebuild the local water system, and Wilmington dispatched Swiftwater Rescue teams. "Charlotte sent resources, personnel, boots on the ground just to help us right away," Resident 1 said. "Greensboro sent several people from their water department, water crews. Raleigh sent us new pipes to rebuild our water system. Wilmington sent us Swiftwater Rescue."
Resident 1 also noted a community and economic recovery angle, saying the city's decision to invite conferences and retreats was a deliberate choice to support recovery: "We need everyone to come back and have their conferences here and have their retreats here. So, that was definitely a deliberate choice on the behalf of the city council." The remarks did not identify which city council was referenced.
The speakers' comments described lived experience and gratitude for intercity aid but did not report formal motions, votes or specific recovery plans at the meeting.
