The 56th Mile of Life

This is a true account of events, and due to its length, it will be posted at intervals. Please be considerate and respectful!

Hurricane Helene 2024 – Rebecca Kennedy

The following is a transcript of the handwritten notes I kept beginning the day after the storm hit Asheville, NC on September 27, 2024.  I evacuated from the city the morning of October 1, 2024 to Winston Salem, NC – with my 2019 Mini Cooper loaded with what I could fill, and my precious dog Paddy.  I had no idea what the road in front of us would look like, I really had no “plan” other than to get out of Asheville and pray God would protect us on our journey. 

 

(I have formatted the text below exactly as it is written in my journal in a spiral notebook)

 

September 28, 2024

 

Morning

• Day 2 no power – about 24 hours

 

• Water and pressure are ok – under boil water issue, can’t boil water b/c no power

 

• Cut off from all communication except radio. Told the only to contact 911 is via text

 

• Only had a little bit of water in the basement – seems to be fine today

 

• Have enough food for about 2 more days

 

• Have enough drinking water for about 4-5 more days

 

• Will have to throw out all food in the fridge by mid-day, mid-afternoon. May try and see if I can go to Publix tomorrow.

 

• May have to start using my car to charge my phone just in case service service resumes

 

• Hearing on the radio that Asheville is completely cut off from ground transportation

 

• Didn’t hear any emergency vehicles yesterday – but am beginning to hear them today

 

• Being called the 500 year flood. Surpasses the record set in 1916

12:00 noon

• Went out b/c the neighbor said I could get wifi @ the Skyland Baptist Church – it didn’t work.

 

• I did find an open convenience store and was able to buy some Diet Coke and more cigarettes.  Another neighbor had said you could get WIFI in the Publix parking lot – it was total madness – I didn’t even try to stay and get service.  Work crews had closed Sweeten Creek but thankfully let me through to get home. I will not venture out unless I have to.

Noon (con’t)

• From the very small area I saw things are really bad.  There’s far more damage than I imagined.  Having all communication shut down is so hard. Its very difficult to get any information, even on the radio.

 

• I did hear on NPR that the city is having a news conference at 4:00 p.m. today.  I can only hope they broadcast it…ON THE RADIO. Its so incredibly frustrating to hear “find more information on the web” We have zero communication.

 

• Just hearing a broadcast now…
  • 130 water rescuses
  • Won’t announce fatalities yet
  • AG Center evacuation center is @ 450 people, capacity is 500.  Opening another shelter @ AB Tech
  • Working on getting infrastructure up
  • We are cut off b/c of impassable areas of I-26 and I-40 – preventing supplies/help from getting in – there is one way in that State Patrol is escorting supplies in
  • Next update @ 4:00 pm the city/county

1:29 p

• Just noticed water pressure is getting low…fuck!!!

3:00 p

• Aloft & Moxy Hotels – free WIFI

 

• Have begun hearing and seeing helicopters flying over.  This is somewhat hopeful

                 

September 28, 2024 (Con’t)

 

4:01 p

• Waiting for the Buncombe County Briefing

County

City

 Q&A

• 72 hrs. into disaster – “Buncombe County’s own Hurricane Katrina” – city manager
  • The dump has been compromised
  • Expect water distribution centers by tomorrow
  • No power, water, or cell service
  • 2 new shelters @ AB Tech
  • I-26 is open to SC, 26 to TN is still closed
  • Still can only use text for 911
  • >150 rescues, continue to deal w/flooding
  • Devastating mud slides occurring today
  • Biblical flooding and devastation
  • Increasing power restoration <100,000 with out power
  • Requested add’l resources from the state, and some beginning to come in

 

• City of AVL: Water system severely damaged, gov’t & private sector engage; for those with water, must boil
  • Service restoration “an extended effort”
  • Still in search and rescue mode, FEMA search and rescue, communication issues, getting around, outside resources assisting
  • Chief of Police: conducting a lot of welfare checks; also experiencing looting; looting overnight; extra staffing coming in to help; will be guarding distribution centers
  • Chaplain: fatalities; not releasing info until next of kin is notified; pray

 

• Could be days or longer for cell service – trying to bring in temp towers
  • Multiple fatalities
  • Next briefing tomorrow @ 10:00 am

 

 

September 28, 2024

 

The updates on infrastructure restoration are not encouraging. I’m thinking I won’t venture out again until I have confirmation of anywhere with temporary cell service or WIFI.  I feel like the desperation of people is going to get worse over coming days if some relief doesn’t start coming in.

                  It’s very surreal living like this.  We are completely cut-off from everything.  There is still only confirmed way to get in (or out) of AVL at this point.  It’s weird not even be able to see what has happened around the area – except for the small parts (which were bad enough) when I drove around this afternoon.  It would really fucking help to get power back on.

                  The upside(s) and thing things to be grateful for include a dry house, actually getting to know my neighbors better.  Ironically to learn today that J****** next door ********************** (not included for privacy).  Here I cover personal things that remain personal.

I am grateful that I haven’t actually felt really scared or had a ton of fear.  I’ve leaned heavily on my faith and recognize the massive blessings about where I am what I have during this disaster.  I’m grateful. So many people are suffering right now and I am okay – today.

 

September 29, 2024                                                                                                Radio 92.9 (note in corner of page)

 

 

Day 3

 

• No power, now no water

 

• Radio reporting water and food is starting to come into the city

Radio

• 10 confirmed fatalities so far
• Still doing rescue and recovery, cannot do wellness checks
• ~1 million MREs are coming
• ~20 trucks of water

 

Buncombe County Update @ 10:00 am 9.29.24

 

• 2 shelters @ AB Tech, AG Center is full

 

• Food and water distro being set up, no add’l information

 

• Mayor of Weaverville:
  • Most roads passable @ this time
  • Water plant flooded, no commercial water available
  • 15 water rescues
  • No power anywhere

 

• Swannanoa Update – audio not working

 

• Black Mountain Update – audio not working
  • Devastation
  • Crews doing search and rescue up Old 70
  • 2 helicopters dropping food

 

• Sheriff Miller
  • Confirmed 10 deaths, no names @ this time
  • Recovery continuing

 

• Q&A
  • WLOS – who died and where? Not law enforcement deaths and cannot confirm locations
  • Spanish press: any reach out to the Latino community?
    • Have been diligent to reach out to everyone

 

 

 

 

Q&A (Con’t) 9.29.24

 

 

• Have resources reach us? Where, when?
  • Some resources
  • No distro sites yet, wait one more day

 

• Laura Hackett: Distro spots, when? How?
  • Moving target, working with state agencies
• What’s the holdup?
  • We think it’s a transportation problem
• Do we not have anything on hand?
  • Yes, in Swannanoa, its cut-off
• What’s wrong with water supply?
  • Wait for more informaiton

 

• Deaths reported are county-wide #’s only

 

• Where is FEMA? : have to coordinate through the state first

 

• State also reporting 10 deaths, does that include Buncombe county? – A: don’t know

 

• Where can residents go for water?

A: We don’t know

 

Q: 1,000 reports of people missing

A: # that’s coming in via website

 

Q: People don’t have access to water info via electronic communication what other comms?

A: We will get info to every corner of the county when water distro is available.

 

(Notes from next page of notebook)                                                                                                                    9.29.24

Resources                                                                                                                                                                                              

• Publix                                                                                                                         *Turn off breakers when I leave

Winston Salem would be the closest

3 hour drive – w/detour

 

• If I-40 opens it would be 2 hours
• Could go further to Greensboro

Hampton Inn – Winston Salem 10/1-10/8

Hanes Mall

 

Home to Suites – Hanes Mall – 1010 Marriott Crossing Way, Winston Salem

 

Columbia, SC has gas.                                                                                          336-930-1037

                                                                                                                                                Confirmation 96324741

9.30.24                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

– Water: Fresh Market – Hendersonville Rd.

 

9.30.24 –

– Hotel overbooked tonight –

 

9.30.24

(handwritten notes from Jenny on how to get to Winston Salem)

9.29.24 – Buncombe County Briefing

 

• Black Mountain Town Manager:

“Waiting on food and extra resources, keep hearing “help is on the way.”

 

• AVL City School Superintendent:
  • Lost audio

 

• Bill Norton @ Duke Energy
  • Rebuilding infrastructure in SC & NC
  • Limited ability to assess damage, road access, mudslides, entire substations to repair or completely rebuild.
  • Sending updates to customers. Know that some customers aren’t getting the messages.

 

• 15K technicians all here in the Carolinas

 

• Sheriff Miller:
  • Now have 30 fatalities
  • Extended state of emergency until further notice

 

• Keith Cambell: AVL Watchdog

Q: Fatalities spread out?

A: Yes

Q: City of AVL not participating, why?

• Taylor Thompson: News 13

Q: Water?

A: They are working diligently. Will give an update next week.

Q: Water distribution?

A: H20 still not here

Q: When was it requested?

A: Once Swannanoa got cut off, then asked

 

Q: Portable Bathrooms:

A: @ shelters, will look at options

 

Q: How long was power out at Mission?

A: 2 days

 

Q: Baby supplies

A: We’re getting donations, will let you know when we can distribute

 

Q: Supermarkets?

A: Should be coming back online soon.

 

Q: Why isn’t water being flown in?

A: We’re working on it.

 

Q: FEMA?

A: Told they are on the way?

 

Q: Any updates on 1,000 unaccounted for?

A: Now below 600, will update AM

 

Q: How are supplies getting to Black Mountain? What resources?

A: Had 16,000 gallons brought in and starting to distribute.

 

Q: Request for Water being flown in.

A: State affirmed they will fly in. No time frame.

 

September 30, 2024 – Day 4 – No power, no water

 

10:00 a

• Radio advising Ingles has no gas, no bread, no ice, and no water
• People are calling in to find out if any pharmacies are open to get essential medicines, right now one knows
• Radio advising trucks were rolling in last night

 

Buncombe County Briefing

• 2p food & water to distribute, will advise @ noon 1 day of food and water will be available
• Shelters are at capacity – FEMA not @ those locations
• Cellular – AVLE & Verizon established temp cell tower

 

• Radio lost power and battery power isn’t working

 

September 30, 2024

 

                  I’ve spent the morning getting ready to evacuate out of here tomorrow.  This has been incredibly difficult, and I have moments where I just lose it.  It doesn’t last long, I pull myself together, and think about the next thing I can do that’s within my circle of control. Because this is just total chaos.

 

                  I’m trying my level-best to be patient, and kind, and take a minute to step back and take stock of my blessings.  To have gratitude for what I do  I have.  I can leave tomorrow – others cannot. I didn’t lose a loved one – others did.  I have food and water for now – others don’t. I still have a home and bed to sleep in – others do not.

 

Its amazing how incredibly small your world becomes in a disaster like this.  Right now all I really know is my tiny little neighborhood. I hear what is happening around me, in the greater area, but I don’t know what is happening. I’ve had very little access to information, since Friday, and momentarily I think this is for the best.

 

                  It is incredibly bizarre to have to think about rationing everything. I prolonged everything in the freezer as long as I could – it was helping to keep my yogurt (day 1 and day 2) cold. I stretched it out until yesterday so I could finish the turkey and cheese I had left, which I finished yesterday.  I’ve been rationing my protein bars to 1 per day because I only had 4.  I’ll eat the last one for breakfast tomorrow.  I’m basically down to nuts, dried fruit, peanut butter and some canned items – but I have no way to heat those up.

 

                  I’m being super careful about bottled water, and am unbelievably grateful the 5-gallon bags of water we stored in the basement.  I try to use those as little as possible to flush the toilet.  I don’t put any toilet paper in the in toilet – it goes in a grocery bag I throw away in the bin outside.  I didn’t want to put the bin outside because of the bears – but I really had no choice because the food (even in double-bagged garbage bags was starting to smell. If the bears get in to it, so be it.  I have no idea when we will have garbage collection again.

 

                  The days have gotten harder as they’ve dragged on.  By this afternoon I just wait for night/darkness to come so I can go to sleep.  I have been sleeping unusually well.

 

                  Right now the only I want is to get to tomorrow. I want to get out of here.  I want to get to the hotel in Winston Salem safely.  I want hot coffee, a shower, hot food, power, and water.

 

                  I’ve studied the screen shots on my phone of the directions – I should pick up GPS at some point.

 

                  It’s 220 pm and its fucking raining. I pray it doesn’t last long. More when I feel up to it.

 

 

**** Pick up here with more journal notes starting at 9.30.24****

 

 

********************************************************************************************

 

 

October 2, 2024 – from the Home 2 Suites, Winston Salem, NC – 8:46 p.m. (on my laptop)

 

How I got here.

 

                  I am finally out of Asheville. I left yesterday morning around 8:00 a.m. and headed from the house straight to the interstate.  I would not allow myself to get scared about driving, I prayed a whole fucking lot. I felt a sense of calm, a calm I cannot explain when I got on I-26 and I knew I had to just go. Keep going. I had to get out. There was safety, and power, and food, and water if I could just get there.  Let’s face it, “there” to me in that moment was just the first town or place that had electricity and seemed like it was kind of normal. I remember thinking from here I can go anywhere.  I’m not sure if that meant like anywhere today or in the future or when. I just thought I’d somehow escaped this horrible awful place and I could be free if just get far enough away.  I suppose there isn’t a lot of room in that moment for fear.

 

                  I drove in silence almost the entire way. I didn’t want to hear any news, I couldn’t digest any more awful.  I was so grateful for a full tank of gas and that one Diet Coke. Paddy laid quietly on the blanket I put on the passenger seat. I think he was as relived as I was.

 

                  My first stop was in Forest City, NC.  I somehow have this uncanny way of picking the “wrong” exit. I mean, I always choose the one that has stuff the furthest down the road, and like the smallest gas station. I didn’t care. I needed to use the bathroom and I wanted a cold Diet Coke. The folks running the place were very nice. I used the bathroom, got not 1, but two cold Diet Cokes out of the cooler, and bonus: a pack of those waxy chocolate Hostess donuts – the small ones. I actually love them, and if I have one good memory of me and Wayne – we would joke about going to the corner store and getting “wax donuts.” We loved them.  I’m sure he’d be shocked to know I still carry that memory, and that’s it’s actually very dear to me. That’s all something for another day.

 

                  When I went to buy my Diet Coke and donuts I heard the owner of the store tell a guy “sorry we don’t have any gas.” I remmber thinking “shit, I didn’t go far enough” but it was fine I didn’t need gas. I got what I needed. Oh, yeah, picked up two more packs of Pall Malls, I was down to my last two cigarettes. Just grateful to find a store with electricity.

 

                  So then we were off, back down 74 heading east.  I kept driving in silence and just looked at the world in front of me. There were some places along the highway that had some beautiful scenery. I wanted to take those moments in to appreciate where the world was beautiful.

 

                  Somewhere along the drive I was in another town, I honestly could not say where when the phone rang and it was my mom calling. We talked to a bit and I filled her in as best I could and it helped to talk to another human. Reception got bad and we told each other we loved each other and we’d talk soon. I kept driving.

 

                  I was grateful when I was able to start going north. I knew I was getting closer. Closer to this destination I had no real reason for choosing other than it was East, and it wasn’t Charlotte. I didn’t want to stay in Charlotte. Not being negative about it, I just figured lots of people would stop there and areas of bigger cities can be sketchy. I though Winston Salem sounded good.

 

                  Somewhere north of the city I got off the interstate and stopped at a Circle K. I don’t remember where exactly. I needed to use the restroom, and I needed more cold Diet Coke. After using the bathroom I decided to big and get a real fountain drink like with ice! I got the biggest one they had. The lady behind the counter was nice and asked me how my day was going. I said, “I just evacuated from Asheville” she said, “oh my God honey I’m so sorry.”  I guess the news finally got out. She was kind and sweet and said, “I am not charging you for that soda.” So sweet. But I think in that moment I realized what it was like to be an “evacuee.” Like the Katrina evacuees.  I know that was a hard label for so many – it got to the point where it wasn’t necessarily a good thing. I guess I’m an “evacuee” now.

 

                  On to Winston Salem. At this point I had about an hour to go. I think more or less. I had to just keep going. 

 

                  I think I arrived in Winston Salem around 12:30 or 1:00. I thought to myself, “this looks like a pretty nice place.” I think anything would have looked a million times better than where I’d come from just a few hours ago.  I got to the hotel, and I’m pretty sure I looked like hell and a shell of person walking in with a cute dog. I was fucking tired, and relieved to be here. I didn’t expect the room to be ready because I arrived before official check in time. It didn’t matter. I was here.  The ladies at the front desk were super nice. I told them I had a reservation and that I had just left Ashville – then I just started crying. This is not how I wanted to show up. I just couldn’t help myself. The two young women were just the sweetest. One came from behind the reception desk and just hugged me. I started sobbing uncontrollably.  They were so kind and said they’d do whatever they could to get me a room as quickly as possible. I said it was fine, it could take how ever long was necessary. I didn’t care. I was here.

 

                  I got everything from the car and started unloading everything in the room. This place, this room (it’s very nice by the way) and thought, I have no idea how long I’ll be here. I mean, I have reservations until next Tuesday, but I think it may be longer.  I may ask if I can extend the reservation one more week. In this moment I don’t ever want to leave. It’s safe here and the people are nice.

 

                  Backtrack a minute.  About an 3 hours into the drive I realized I left my box of toiletries and eye glasses, and extra contacts on the counter in my bathroom. For fucks sake – panic. What am I going to do without my glasses and contacts.  I need to change my contacts. Fuck fuck fuck. This obsession of how to get glasses and contacts is setting in. I’ll figure it out.

 

                  Back to the hotel room on Tuesday night 10/1.  It’s afternoon sometime and I realize I need to food and figure out how to get my glasses and contacts. Ok, food. I’ll order from Instacart because I can’t even try and go to a grocery store, and I have Paddy. I just need to get something delivered. Solved.  I place an order and make sure to get Diet Coke and LaCroix, yogurt for breakfast, frozen blueberries, some grapes. Oh, and fucking sailene solution, that was in the box two. I now have to protect the pair of contacts in my eyes with all I’ve got until I figure out a solution to that.  Okay Instacart, done. Order should be here by 3:30 p.m. I call my eye doctors office in Asheville – I have to try even though I know no is there. I can try. By a miracle they have someone answering the phone remotely. She is like the eye doctor angel in the moment. God bless her she was able to order me a box of lenses and send them to get delivered here in a few days. I’ll take it. I can work on getting more lenses on Wednesday, someone is bound to have a pair of trials they give or sell me – I hope. What about glasses? Ok, there’s an Eyemart Express literally within eyeshot of the hotel (is that a pun?). I can figure this out. I’ll go there tomorrow and do whatever I have to to get some eye glasses.

 

                  It’s getting later in the day and I’m hungry. I haven’t eaten anything but a protein bar and wax donuts. I can jump on my meeting at 4:30 (I need to go to a meeting), and then I can order food.

 

                  After the meeting I Uber Eats a double cheeseburger, fries, and an Oreo shake from Five Guys. I can see Five Guys from here, but I’m so tired and hungry, and I have Paddy and I can’t bear to leave him for more than a minute and we’ve had enough of being in the car. Food arrives about 25 minutes later, I eat, and I get ready to go to bed. I hate not having my glasses. I must get glasses tomorrow.

 

***Continuation of actual day of October 2, 2024 (written and recollected 5:17 a.m. October 3, 2024) – Winston Salem, NC***

 

                  I slept 10 hours. It was good, solid, deep sleep. When I wake up, though, I have that little bit of a moment of panic. Shit, I don’t have my glasses. Ok, must get this eye situation figured out today. But also have a bunch of other stuff to do, like actually get online for work and check in, look for updates out of Asheville. Reddit has been super helpful. I never, ever got on Reddit until Helene. Need to file for FEMA disaster relief assistance – I’m hearing everyone should regardless of it your house got destroyed.  I need to remember to eat. Okay, Stop. First, get some coffee and take Paddy out.

                  I’m finding the need to stop and take one little thing at a time. I remind myself, “You don’t have to make that decision now, or this decision now, just do what’s in front of you.” Pause. Get some coffee and take Paddy out.

                  After changing into leggings and a sweatshirt we go downstairs and I get coffee. I can smell the food, and people are milling about getting coffee, breakfast, chatting, you know, acting like real people in a normal world. All the thoughts swirling around in my head and the mental checklist that grows and never ends doesn’t exactly feel normal. I have so many people to respond to. Stop. Pause. Focus on what’s in front of you right now.