Hurricane Helene

Fear has the worst symptoms...

We’ve been without power, no internet, no cell service, and now the water isn’t coming out of the taps. There’s no way out of Asheville at the moment; even if there was, we can’t find fuel. My fair city has been devastated. If you have electricity and an internet connection (must be nice), then I don’t have to describe the damage to you. It isn’t easy to comprehend, even when you’re looking straight at it. It’s like seeing a dog with two heads. Even though it’s right there in front of you, it just doesn’t compute. There can’t be a dog with two heads. Yet there it is. 

These situations bring out the best and the worst in people. Our neighborhood came together. Those with chainsaws cleared the trees blocking the road and driveways, those with generators offered fridge space, someone offered access to their small pond to get buckets of water for the occasional luxurious flush of a toilet, we’re running our fridge with a mile of extension cord to to our neighbor’s propane generator, we’re sharing water caches, sharing gas, sharing worry, and sharing information.

I went out on the little Honda motorbike to look for water. The vibe was mostly the same, with friendly people advising on what was open and who had what (not much and not much). People were waiting patiently in a quarter-mile line at the grocery store, chatting, trading information, and making jokes. But there was also a slow percolating fear, frustration and selfishness brewing, most prominently at the two gas stations that were open. Impossibly long lines of vehicles and tense moods were paired with honking horns and the occasional angry yell. I mean, look. It’s a balance. The inherent priority is to make damn sure your people are taken care of. That’s just a human trait. You’re going to protect whoever has the most of your DNA first. That’s how it is. That’s how we’ve been built. But I think that there’s a meter on that. If you go into the red, you’re venturing into uncivilized territory. And what kind of people are willing to do that? It’s not the strongest people. It’s the people with the most fear. But when the fear is warranted, can you blame them? Yes, I think so. You can understand it, but you don’t have to give them a pass. Don’t get me wrong. If I’ve been pushed deep into a corner, and it’s you and me hustling for the last 12oz water bottle in the Harris Teeter, I don’t know what I’d do. My polite and better-natured genes would have me pick it up and hand it to you. My primitive survival genes might insist that I punch you in the face. Right there in the empty water aisle of Harris Teeter. Imagine it? 

Sometimes you’re not given much of a choice, and none of us really know what we’ll do if trapped in a dead-end alley with no options and something bad coming your way. If you don’t have a choice, maybe a fear-based reaction is understandable. But sometimes you are given a choice. And when you’ve been given a clear choice and plenty of time to think hard about that choice, and then you chose fear, lies, hatred, loathing, distrust, and ignorance - then you are punching someone in the face in the empty water aisle of Harris Teeter for no reason whatsoever. You’re not saving yourself or your loved ones. You’re falling for the oldest (and most effective) trick in the book. You’re not up against a wall. There is no wall. You’re just confused. 

This is just an example of what someone might think about while riding around on a little red motorbike looking for water in a mildly apocalyptic setting. It’s nothing new, but scared humans are dangerous. I noticed the power of fear firsthand. It’s real, and some wield it like a weapon because it’s all they’ve got. 

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That was a couple of days ago. Having no power, internet, or cell service was one thing. Having no water was another. We siphoned the fuel from the motorcycles, left some for a neighbor’s generator, and had enough to get down the mountain and into South Carolina. We’re now safe in Wilmington with our two daughters. I can not tell you the pleasure that can be derived by flushing excrement down a toilet with complete abandon. Sublime. Five stars. Not to be missed. We’re not sure what our next move is. Western North Carolina is in rough shape and we’re in complete shock at the damage our city and the people throughout the region have suffered. We and those in our neighbor were much luckier than many.  

This is an organization I've worked with for years. They are 100% legit and have a network of deep and long-established ties to a large number of nonprofits and public agencies throughout our region of Western North Carolina. I have confidence that they will get the funds where they are most needed efficiently. If you're looking for ways to help the area, this is worth checking out as an option. The fund to look for is the first listed -"Emergency & Disaster Relief Fund." Do the best you can in the water aisle and stay safe out there. https://cfwnc.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list