10/02/24 21:20 Some things I've learned in the early days of recovery in Western NC

Wow, what a day it was on the ground here in Brevard today.

Firstly, some of the things I’ve learned going forward.

-Posting images from what conditions were like here in western north carolina anytime before the present moment isn’t helpful because it’s misdirecting attention to things that aren’t relevant to today’s recovery efforts. Sharing is one thing but reposting old images as a new post is another entirely. Sharing keeps the original time stamp on the post so we can all see that it’s from days ago.

-Begin to add today’s date and time when you post new info that way we all can know how current the information is so we don’t spin our wheels looking for resources to help those who have already been helped.

-Please take a moment and fact check what you’re thinking of re-posting or sharing before you click on “share”. I’m starting to see information that’s not even relevant or that’s from years ago (also not relevant)

-Facebook is an enormously useful resource when it comes to finding real on the ground information and actual calls for help. Please DO keep sharing these! And add where it came from and a timestamp so we can know if is relevant realtime info.

-FB’s algorithms put things in our feeds that we haven’t seen which are often days old. I’ve seen posts for the first time today that were from 3 or 4 days ago. I’ve begun looking at the date they were originally posted so I know to move on and mostly ignore these and move on so I can help with what’s happening right now.

-There are specific needs that people are seeking to fill. These seem to be “well-checks” for family or friends that haven’t been able to be reached through normal channels (usually by cell phone or email) as cell service and power outages are still a problem in many areas. Another is “how can I help” questions. Where can I volunteer or where can I send supplies. Another is “I need food or shelter or water” where can I find these. Another is “we have supplies or food or hot meals or showers available. Here’s where you can come get these things”. Yet another is “I live in yadda yadda state and have supplies and will be heading your way”.

Regarding these things: here’s some of what I’m seeing.

Well-checks are being handled firstly by local fire departments and they are doing one HELL of a job connecting families and friends in this way. If you are seeking to find a family member or friend you can simply post those requests nearly anywhere and there are those of us who come across these requests that can coordinate efforts to find these folks in our area and get word back to you. Or you can reach out directly to the fire departments that service your family members home. That’s the quickest way to get the ball rolling. Now that cell service and internet service and power is coming back online you can try calling your family member...yet I also know from personal experience that your family members phone may be dead and they may not realize this...because they’ve lived without power or cell service for so many days that they’ve forgotten to check. (this is mostly happening with the elderly which is why these well-checks are so important to follow through on.)

The how can I help questions...please be patient. This is not a sprint. But is a long-haul operation. Donations and supplies will be needed 6 months from now and there are trucks and trucks and trucks of supplies already here and enroute as I write this. The real issue now is how to get what supplies are here and arriving into the hands of those that need it most.

Which is where the air-support comes into play.

There are countless helicopters, pilots to fly them and other air support here that are in need of our help to direct them to where they are needed the most. This is what I spent most of today coordinating. We need to know where the communities are that are cut-off from road access. THIS is where the air support is needed. Many communities have bridges washed out and roads completely destroyed and the only way in is on foot, by mule (yes there are mule teams here) and so forth. Air support is proving priceless to these communities!

Regarding “I need food, shelter, water” questions...that information is getting disseminated via radio and by churches and fire departments and communities helping communities. Same goes for “we have food, supplies, etc to disperse”...word is getting out the same ways.

Regarding “I have supplies and am heading your way…” well...I’m seeing that this may simply bog down efforts that are already ongoing and here on the ground. Lodging is already strained due to destroyed homes and for workers here like linemen and other infrastructure teams on the ground. I’d recommend you wait to travel here and help from afar for now.

Secondly, if you know of communities that aren’t getting assistance for whatever reason(s)...please post those locations publicly so help can be directed your way. Please reach out on Facebook or by texting friends or family. Help is here!! We just need to know who to contact to confirm, location to send help to and a list of what is needed.

Coordination efforts are in FULL swing. And these efforts are improving daily. As organizers organize we are all learning how to better succeed in helping one another.

In the meantime, I have witnessed and experienced an outpouring of human-kindness on levels that exceed comprehension. I have watched neighborhoods pool resources, people point the way to available resources, an outpouring of donations and even just a shoulder to cry on.

Speaking of shoulders to cry on...one thing I’ve not heard anything about yet is mental health services. The things that many have witnessed here are ptsd inducing. Heart-wrenching, aweful things. If anyone can help begin to coordinate (and maybe this is already being prepared for I don’t know) mental health providers to plan for this need...please lead the way!

A very special thanks from the bottom of my heart to those of you who have assisted me personally which now is allowing me to pay that forward and assist others here on the ground.

Onward and upward as we move forward together here in Western North Carolina.

Please note here also...I see the actions you are taking from states away to provide support!

I thank you for this. And the people of Western North Carolina thank you for this too!


Stay tuned...