Last week, the devastation of Hurricane Helene struck the country. The tragedy of this has affected thousands across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and many more. As the hurricane has passed, many are still affected and trying to recover.

Helene moved inland around Sept. 26-28. Many ETSU students who are from these areas have been impacted greatly. Areas such as Erwin, Unicoi, Elizabethton, Asheville, North Carolina, and Marion, North Carolina, and other counties within East Tennessee and Western North Carolina have received the brunt of it all.

Chloe Phillips, a junior at ETSU, has spoken out about her experience and devastation of her hometown, Marion, North Carolina.

“I think this is a difficult time for everyone. Luckily, this has not affected me too badly, but we’re just hoping that things will be back to normal soon and that everyone is safe,” said Phillips.

Phillips shares that the county is still left without power, water and spotty cell signal. There are people still stranded and missing, and many have lost their homes and loved ones. Forty-eight minutes outside of Asheville, roads are shut down, leaving Phillips and many others stuck with little to no way of getting out.

Photo of flooding in East Tennessee. (Contributed/apnews.com)

“We can only head east from here, everything is shut down because the roads are completely gone or washed out in many places,” said Phillips.

Phillips mentions that while being home, she has been able to work with the North Carolina Department of Transport (NCDOT). They are trying to get roads and everything else cleared up as well.

As the flood waters slowly go down, there is still a whole other world under the water. There is uncertainty about how long the recovery process for Marion and other cities and states affected will take. Phillips shared that it could take months before anything goes back to resemble normal.

“I am not sure the community will ever fully recover. I think it will be at least two weeks before most people have power and water. Some people have completely lost their homes and may never recover,” stated Phillips.

Thankfully, Phillips and her family are safe, along with others in her community. Unfortunately, many other students at ETSU are still recovering and dealing with the same issues. People are stranded, without resources or missing. There are many ways to help donate and lend a helping hand to these cities to provide resources and aid.

Many student organizations, businesses, churches and more are reaching out. Kickback Jack’s is doing a Unicoi County Relief open donation for different products. ETSU is providing volunteer sessions on Friday, Oct. 4, at 3 p.m. Check out other ways to help, donate and get involved in the community for these cities at https://www.etsu.edu/response/default.php.

Author