ASHE COUNTY, N.C. — The situation in Ashe County, like many areas in western North Carolina, is dire right in the aftermath of Helene.
The storm brought torrential rain and heavy winds to many towns across the region, causing flooding that has wiped out everything from roads to entire town squares.
As of Sunday night, 46 people were confirmed dead in North Carolina as a result of Helene.
WFMY News 2's Nixon Norman traveled to Ashe County on Sunday to take a look at the damage and speak to local residents.
One of those residents is Lonnie Eastridge, an Ashe County native who couldn't help compare Helene to another infamous storm from the area's past.
"Hearing my Granny growing up talking about the 1940 flood, this is probably worse than the '40 flood," Eastridge said. "I guess this is my generation's '40 flood. It will take years to clean up, if it's ever."
The 1940 flood, known as the Second Great Flood after a similar event in 1916, was caused by a Category-2 hurricane that hit South Carolina on August 11 before moving northwest over the mountains of western North Carolina.
After that storm, the Skyland Post in Ashe County reported that "nine bridges over the New River in the county were either partly or totally washed away, and several bridges over creeks were moved by the terrific force of fast running water."
The scene in 2024 is eerily similar to the one that came over 80 years earlier. Roads and bridges have been completely destroyed and many of the ones that aren't, are blocked by throngs of downed trees and debris.
Roadways like Deep Ford Road have been completely destroyed as pieces of cars and homes litter what’s left of it.
The damage is a particularly hard pill to swallow for natives like Eastridge who grew up a quarter mile from the area.
"You know, I mean, I've seen a lot of floods, bad floods. But this is just, it's hard to understand. I mean, this is just massive," Eastridge said.
The same goes for Jasmine Lopez, she's an Ashe County resident whose been without water and power for days.
"I'm highly stressed, I'm highly just… super energetic but also super exhausted," Lopez said.
She experienced a great sense of relief when she learned Jimmy and Jean's Family Entertainment and Arcade opened their doors.
"We started this business to serve this community and were fortunate to have power and water and a lot of people don't. I mean, I don't have it in my own home," Owner of Jimmy and Jean's Family Entertainment and Arcade, Jennifer Byland said.
Not only has the arcade provided food, water, shelter and more, they've created a safe space for kids to unwind from the stress as well with arcade games; old and new, inflatable bounce houses, etc.
Lopez is grateful because she has her young daughter to think about, "she is out of her routine, you know? Every thing is just not stable right now. She's very agitated, very energetic and not really wanting to eat and just kind of, she's not settled," Lopez said.
Byland said the people of Ashe County and beyond need to make their voices heard right now in order to make a difference there.
"Anybody who hears this, reach out to our local politicians. Get North Carolina behind this. Don't forget about us," Byland said.
Eastridge said it's a situation folks have to take a day at a time, "we'll just keep cleaning and keep getting it. I mean, you just carry on. We'll survive."
As of Sunday night, over 11,000 were still without power in Ashe County, according to ReadyNC.gov, and many residents are also without water. One of those people is Jasmine Lopez, who is trying to care for her young daughter while dealing with the storm's effects.
"She is out of her routine," Lopez said of her daughter. "You know, everything is just not stable right now. So she's very agitated, very energetic and not really wanting to eat and just kind of not settled."
Luckily for Lopez and her daughter, one local business has stepped up to help them and many other county residents in the wake of Helene.
Jimmy & Jean's Family Entertainment and Arcade in West Jefferson is currently serving as a makeshift shelter for residents to come and receive food, water and other supplies. It also acts as a safe space for kids to unwind from the stress of everything, something Lopez is grateful about.
Jennifer Byland, owner of Jimmy & Jean's, told WFMY News 2 she felt obligated to help her neighbors in the aftermath of the catastrophic storm.
"We started this business to serve this community and were fortunate to have power and water and a lot of people don’t," she said. "I mean I don’t have it in my own home."
We went to Jimmy & Jean's on Sunday and found several people working to organize donated food, clothes and other essentials like diapers and toiletries.
Jimmy & Jean's West Jefferson
Byland, like many people in these smaller areas in western North Carolina, hopes people don't put Helene in the rear-view mirror too quickly. These places will take months, if not years, to rebuild, and the only way they will come out better on the other side is with a lot of support from the community.
"Anybody who hears this, reach out to our local politicians," Byland said. "Get North Carolina behind this and don’t forget about us."
Wondering how you can help residents in western North Carolina in the aftermath of Helene? We have compiled a list of reputable organizations who are already in action in areas impacted by the storm.
Donating money to these organizations helps increase their ability and reach. While donating supplies is helpful, many organizations are currently requesting funds first, in order to help meet immediate, basic needs and until they figure out exactly what supplies will be most needed. If you have suggestions for organizations to be added to this list, you can contact us at news@wfmy.com.
WFMY News 2 is partnering with the American Red Cross to hold a phone bank on Monday to support western North Carolina.
The phone bank will be during our evening newscasts on Monday, Sept. 30 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. If you would like to donate online, you can use the following link: WFMY News 2 is supporting the American Red Cross.
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