Hurricane Helene Aftermath

Helene was some storm. I measured 20.75 inches of rain over a 3-day period at the farm. The big fields along the river where we play Capture the Flag were completely under water and moving fast and all roads were under water too. As any camper who has been on a trip out of camp to tube or canoe the French broad knows, this 3^rd oldest river in the world begins only a few miles north of the farm. That may be why we were spared the devastation that its floodwaters  brought to Asheville, well downriver, as it picked up steam.

All of the Illahee year-round crew are safe as we shift from immediate clean-up to the long-term implications of being without power, groceries and fuel for the near term. The kicker is that cell service and internet is down as well so there is very little information available.

Lucas and Gardner are hiking the Fisherman’s Trail in Portugal and left before the storm. Laurie and I are keeping Brooks and Jasper and racking up all sorts of grandparent brownie points as schools were cancelled the day after Lucas and Gardner left for their trip. Claire is at the beach on a vacation, and Barrett is with family in Charlotte. Gretchen has been helping to man the blowers and pick up sticks with me and some of the maintenance crew at camp.

Camp is remarkably intact. Besides some water in the basements of Curtis and Pinecrest, there were a lot of limbs and leaves on the ground. By this afternoon, the only indication of this mega storm at camp will be a couple of lakes that look like chocolate

milk…which will settle out soon and be back to the inviting lakes of summer. That is not the case for the surrounding areas. Roads are washed out, trees are down on power lines everywhere, and there is a post-apocalyptic feel to standing in line for a maximum of $30 dollars cash for fuel. Four in and four out is the rule. For the most part, in our small town, folks are

helping each other out. We have a generator at the farm that we are running intemittantly and Laurie made a big pot of chili last night and we hosted Gretchen and another local family who were without power. Other neighbors are showering during our generator time.

We are thankful for all of your messages of support. We encourage those of you who want to help to send donations to any favorite local charity that is supporting relief. One of our favorite Asheville restaurants Curate is teaming up with chef Jose Andres

and his World Central Kitchen to feed people displaced by the hurricane. Faith-based organizations like the Salvation Army and Samaritan’s Purse are always right there when the need is greatest. Here is a list of ways to help.