Last week’s newspaper was focused on the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene, and the efforts in the immediate aftermath to get electricity, internet, and cell phone service turned back on.
Today, now almost two weeks removed from the storm, the focus of not only the newspaper but the community as a whole has shifted.
People from all over the Highlands Cashiers Plateau have rolled up their sleeves and dove head first in to hard work to help those still dealing with the crushing reality of the storm’s devastation in neighboring communities.
If you haven’t seen it firsthand, it’s worse than you can imagine based on pictures and video snippets. Whole towns washed away, or covered in mud, downed trees and debris.
Fortunately for those of us in Macon and Jackson counties, we aren’t a direct party to the same level of disaster that hit Mitchell, Avery, Yancey and many other jurisdictions. And who would we be if we weren’t the first to lend a hand?
After all, it’s the nature of the plateau to be a giving network of individuals and organizations who strive to make the world a little better for those around us. So in almost no time once the storm passed, the Highlands Emergency Council, the Boys and Girls Club, all three Rotary clubs, both Chambers of Commerce, and countless other nonprofits answered the call to action.
Donation drives have collected tens of thousands of dollars, truckloads of water, nonperishable food, cleaning supplies, clothes, and other necessities. While the work that has been done has been impactful, there is still a long way to go.
For some areas, power is not projected to be turned back on for several more weeks – forget internet and cell phone service. There are schools that could be out of commission until Christmas as storm cleanup and road repairs continue. In areas where homes and businesses were destroyed, people are quite simply living day by day.
So as much as we all have given, we are going to be asked to give a little bit more. Let’s dig deep and make it happen.