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Submitted by Andrea Ervay
Hello, my name is Gar Watlington, and I survived Hurricane Helene and the severe flooding that followed. I’m a student at Warren Wilson College, a service/farm school in Swannanoa, about 20 minutes from Asheville. I was also born in Boone, so losing both places I call home in a single night… is beyond devastating.
After the storm, a group of us went out to the highest pasture, navigating across power lines and fallen trees, to see the ravaging water that had submerged two of the three roads below. The third road was blocked by a tree and live power lines. We were trapped by flooding for a day and a half, cut off from any outside contact. My entire campus had no idea we narrowly escaped death by just a few feet of water.
Since we’re part farm school, we all had the survival know-how to get through the aftermath. I’ve never experienced such a resilient community—we cried together, we laughed together, we rebuilt together. However, it was difficult seeing my friends find family photos and baby toys floating up to where the farm had flooded. I saw entire roofs bobbing in the water. All our chickens died, and some of our pigs, too. Cars were hanging from trees…
Eventually, I was able to evacuate, and it felt like escaping from a nightmare. I was afraid of road blockades, but I’m now safely back in my home in the Lake Norman area. The trip back was made more difficult because, while scraping mud off the road to make travel easier for others, I got stung by a hornet. And I’m allergic. No one could get to us, and there was no medical attention. It was hard to see mudslides or power lines in the dark, and many roads were washed away, with I-40 to Tennessee not being an option.
Thankfully, by the time we cleared enough trees, I was able to reach my car, which had just enough gas to get me to Gastonia. I brought as many people as I could fit in my car. The only way out was through the Spartanburg Highway towards South Carolina. Some people from outside drove 13 hours to find a way in. I’m chronically ill, so by the time I got home, my immune system crashed from all the stress and sleepless nights.
My friends, teachers, and some loved ones are still stuck on the mountain with no power, water, gas, or service. I still haven’t heard from the kids I coach lacrosse for, either, the youngest being just 6 years old.
Appalachia is where my heart is, and all I ask is that you give us some love. Beloved Asheville, Pansy Collective, Bounty & Soul, and Asheville Survival are organizations already on site and are the most direct way to support those who need it most immediately.
Thank you for reading my story; I’m grateful to be alive to tell it.
Ending
Gar will be leading efforts to provide clothing and goods to support the Western NC relief. Thrive Financial will be taking clothing and supply donations Monday through Thursday, 8 am-5 pm. Displaced WNC residents are welcome to come by, try on clothes, and pick up supplies they need. Join us at Thrive Financial Partners, 16810 Kenton Dr #180, Huntersville, NC 28078, or email [email protected] if you have any questions!
