Sending out an SOS

We in North Carolina are not strangers to the wrath caused by hurricanes. Names of the storms roll over in my head. 
 
I was in fourth grade when Hurricane Hazel blew through Southport and came up to Pitt County. We were released from school early. I remember walking home, a little afraid of what was to come. There was no weather channel in that time. Daddy was a ham radio operator and was listening to an operator from the Outer Banks. He knew to gather supplies and hunker us down in the downstairs hall. Trees were down all over the county. The ice company was delivering ice to homes they could reach. 
 
Then there were Diane, Ione, Ivan, Bonnie, Fran, Floyd, Florence, Debbie, Matthew, Katrina and Hugo to name a few. If you grew up in these parts, you can likely name the ones most memorable to you. But Helene has been the greatest cause of damage in many years. From the horseshoe bend in Florida through Georgia and western North Carolina, Helene has exacted a huge toll.
 
While storm surge is devastating, most of the time it is predicted in time for people to evacuate and save their lives. River flooding, after 30 or 40 inches of rain, caught people off guard. The waters rose quickly, destroying roads, downing trees and cell towers. Drinking water was contaminated. Houses – some with people still in them – floated away in the rushing waters. 
 
Friends in the Western part of the State are in dire need of water, basic staples of non-perishable food, like peanut butter. Huge relief efforts are needed. One church, one agency cannot supply all the need. Corporate responses are needed as well as big donors. They need big trucks loaded with water and supplies. Portable outdoor showers are needed, ones like disaster teams had in Katrina. ATM machines, even if they have electricity, are out of money. No one can make change; dollar bills are most helpful. 
 
The wheels of government move very slowly. Some in Asheville are upset that they have just begun to see FEMA in action. Everything from helicopters to mules are being used to get supplies to the smaller towns dotted around the mountains. Some help is slowly being felt. 
 
The Federal Army Corps of Engineers, DOT or big engineering firms will be needed to reconstruct the roads and other infrastructure. I guarantee Duke Power and power companies from all over the country are working around the clock to restore electricity. I remember driving to Mississippi to work in Katrina Disaster Relief, the trucks from power companies were in long caravans headed to the disaster zone. Lowe’s trucks had pallets of plywood and other supplies going to help. 
 
What I do know is that UMCOR (The United Methodist Committee on Relief) is at work, as is the Salvation Army. The Baptist Men are on the ground working. Samaritan’s Purse is pitching in. All these organizations have web sites through which you can make donation. Your own church or civic club may have an apparatus to get aid to the people of western NC.
 
The very things that make the mountains so precious to us are also the things that make this recovery particularly difficult. Who doesn’t love that little stream that runs along Highway 105 from Boone to Foscoe? We all love the sound of a mountain stream. Who doesn’t love the roads built on high hillsides and the spectacular views? 
 
But when streams and rivers rise, and mountainsides are inundated with rain, roads and houses have little defense. Roads will take a long time to repair. Someone said the road disappeared under her feet as she tried to walk down the mountain. Staging areas and distribution centers, helicopters and drones will help. All of this takes time to put into place, especially in the harder to get to places.
 
Government cannot do all that needs to be done. Compassionate people cannot do it all. What we can do is give money and offer our work where we can. Tom and I have done disaster response in Fran, Katrina, and Floyd. We have heard the stories of near escapes and desperation. But the people in the eleven counties declared disasters need to know they are not alone in this struggle. 
 
One caution, BEWARE of the Scammers!  There are some unscrupulous people in tree- removal, road repair, house restoration. Get references and don’t pay any cash up front. It’s hard to believe it, but there are bad actors who will exploit your pain for their gain. 
 
Our friends and neighbors need our calls and texts and prayers and whatever gifts we can offer. The scenes coming from Asheville and Boone and surrounding areas are mind-blowing and heart wrenching. I encourage any of you who read this call for help to do a little research for what your church is doing and how your community partners are answering the call. We may not be able to do everything, but we can do something. 
 
What can you do? 
 
Lib Campbell is a retired Methodist pastor, retreat leader, columnist and host of the blogsite www.avirtualchurch.com. She can be contacted at libcam05@gmail.com