“Hurricane Helene Leaves a Trail of Destruction in Western North Carolina
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, over 200 individuals have tragically lost their lives, with thousands stranded or facing difficulties evacuating in western North Carolina. Judy Maultsby, a recent resident of Bat Cave, North Carolina, found herself stranded when Helene struck the area last week.
Maultsby describes the harrowing scene of devastation, witnessing homes swept into the river and a trailer precariously hanging on the edge of a mountain. Tragically, a friend who ventured out to his shed during the storm was swept away in a mudslide that carried his house downstream.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, Maultsby found solace in the support and camaraderie of her fellow residents, whom she fondly refers to as her “Mountain Family.” Community members rallied together, with school teachers coordinating relief efforts at the fire station and providing nourishing meals to those stranded on the mountain.
After being able to leave the affected area due to the construction of a makeshift road, Maultsby eventually returned to her previous home in Holden Beach, reflecting on the traumatic experience and expressing her hope to never endure such a disaster again. While she anticipates a potential return to the mountains in the future, the profound impact of the catastrophe has led her to reconsider residing in the area following this life-altering event.”
