Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc across the Appalachian region, particularly affecting western North Carolina, northeast Tennessee, and southwest Virginia from September 24-28. After the storm, severe flash flooding led to dam failures and the destruction of bridges, significantly impacting the Nolichucky River. The river’s course was altered, especially in Erwin, TN, in Unicoi County, where landslides compounded the devastation.
This article is based on my October 2nd interview with Dierdre Hefflin. As you read, keep in mind that many things will have changed between now and our publication date. SBM hopes the victims of Helene will have found great solace and needed support in the meantime. Still, it’s important to acknowledge people who stepped up when they were needed most.
Dierdre’s husband hails from Unicoi, making the disaster all the more personal, despite their current home in Bristol. Bristol and Kingsport are the only cities in the area that didn’t have significant damage. Each day, people learn more about this tragedy. The Hefflins had to act.
At the time of this interview, Deirdre and her husband were already deeply involved in relief and cleanup efforts. Their work and numbers are growing in a huge community effort to keep up with the ever-expanding need. People from all over have come together after realizing that no one was coming to save them. Clergy, congregants, and locals, some also without power, are going out to check on neighbors.
Deirdre said, “We’ve been working hard to make this happen. We have pooled resources. And help has really come from local churches, nonprofits, businesses, especially small-scale restaurants, going into the areas, serving meals, and distributing resources. Local first responders, not big government, are teaming up for search and rescue efforts and finding people that families haven’t heard from. So many people don’t know if family members are dead or alive. Even if a loved one didn’t survive, it puts families at ease to know for sure, and to know the body has been found. The people who live here are doing the work.”
Big government finally arrived days after the hurricane. Volunteers wished they would have been more helpful. The Red Cross, United Way, and FEMA/TEMA set up too far from the need so it takes a long time to get resources in place. They keep telling volunteers and people bringing donations that they’re not allowed to help anymore. So volunteers are directing resources to schools that are not accepting government help.
Locals run social media around-the-clock to connect help with need. They respond to Facebook messages and organize a spreadsheet of requests for the next day(s). People are cooking and delivering food day and night. There is no downtime.
Many high schools are set up as shelters. But one shelter, Highway 107, is just tents on a field near Erwin and Greeneville. They serve meals on site and receive and disburse food and supplies.
People in western North Carolina are reporting dead bodies lodged in trees. Some people’s homes were crushed by a fallen tree. And other homes were completely washed away by the flood. One person reported that their house was found stuck under a bridge. Each situation calls for a different kind of support.
As a mother of four, this story touched me deeply. Deirdre’s son finished needing his G-tube (Gastrostomy tube). This is a feeding tube that goes into a surgically placed port in the stomach. Deirdre thought someone might be in need of this unusual piece of equipment and offered it via her Face Book account. After 25+ shares, someone responded that she did, indeed, need this for her son. It turned out that the G-tube, pump and leftover formula matched this child’s need perfectly and the family was just 30 minutes away. Upon delivery, Dierdre broke down in tears. The Lord had a hand in that.
Volunteers continue to make sure everyone is only taking supplies to schools that declined government help. In Elizabethton, the TLC Community Center is bringing meals and cold milk care packages to their National Guard for airdrop deliveries out of the Elizabethton Municipal Airport via Black Hawks, issued to Carter County Rescue. Remote areas in Carter County are being helped.
Private helicopters are stepping up for western North Carolina. Six pilots just called Dierdre to ask what they can do, where they can land, how they can get supplies. Logistics were immediately handled. Volunteers are networking in Bruce Pine and Banner Elk in Burnsville, asking for helicopters. Stranded people keep sending messages that no one has brought anything. Please help.
It adds to the devastation when the official help creates more problems. Despite volunteers voicing concerns, it didn’t take long for The Red Cross, United Way, and FEMA/TEMA to start confiscating donations given to local high schools, starting with Davy Crockett High School. They have infiltrated schools in Washington and Greene Counties. Volunteers are now required to attend United Way training or go home. Furthermore, victims need to be approved before they get resources. But people need help right NOW!
All monetary donations have been confiscated and placed in a TEMA account, which is not obligated to use the money for this crisis or this area—even though that was the intention of the donations. At this point, they cannot take donations from churches, so volunteers are now asking people to send money and supplies to churches. Church members will make sure donations get to the correct hands.
Helene victims have suffered phenomenal misery and tragedy. But local community support is occurring. Little miracles keep happening. At one point, two drivers showed up, ready to load food and hit the road, but there was nothing for them. Then, Dierdre heard that Spills Dream Pit restaurant is feeding 1st responders. Through various contacts, Spills Dream Pit was contacted and they stepped up to provide food for delivery. While this was getting coordinated, someone showed up with other recently donated resources. Suddenly, the vehicles were filled and drivers traveled 8 hours round trip to make another rescue delivery.
There are so many stories that would fill your heart with awe and amazement. Amidst all of this sadness, it is a testament to the resilience of community and humanity that these unsung heroes of Helene are tirelessly providing lifelines to those in need.
