ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The devastation around the Chimney Rock community in North Carolina was so bad Wednesday that it was nearly impossible to get within 12 miles of homes. However, along the way to the hilly community, people took extreme measures to support themselves and their neighbors.
One neighbor said he built a small repelling system that moves up a brushy hill around 22 feet high, helping him navigate up and down to his home.
"Got a double-line system for better grip here. Got to use gloves, or else you're gonna get some rope burn," said Philip Buddha Morgan.
A bridge leading to his property was washed away, and he said his only way in and out was by navigating through the repelling system. However, he said it's worth it. His brother had a stroke around a decade ago and is now bedridden with limited mobility. Morgan said his brother is on an oxygen compressor, and getting supplies means traversing through damage.
He's also not the only one who needs to make the trek just to leave the house. However, he said it's worth it to help his neighbors.
"There's about five houses up here on the hill that can't get out. Bringing them water down and trying to get them firewood out," said Morgan. "Still, just in the back of my mind, doing all the stuff I have to do — I'm just waiting to hear something about losing someone. That's been a hard one. That one kind of creeps up on you at night, when you try to get to sleep."
