Sometimes tragic events happen. Unfortunately it is inevitable.
Nonetheless, during these tragic times some of the most beautiful people shine through.
Have you ever been a part of an unfortunate situation, but total strangers came to your rescue? If so, please share your story in the comments section on here or on any of Flauntly Yours social accounts.
In September 2024 Hurricane Helene devastated our beautiful mountain communities of Western North Carolina.
In my opinion, the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina offer some of the most gorgeous views in the eastern United States.
Unfortunately these mountains and the people that called them home needed a lot of help in the storms aftermath.
The devastation left behind was unimaginable.
Devastation
Hurricane Helene left a path of destruction behind her.
The flooding was catastrophic.
Bridges and roads were destroyed.
This left many communities blocked off.
The people that lived in these communities were unable to escape the damage and the flooding. They also could not easily receive the help they needed.
Houses slid down the sides of mountains in mud slides, and businesses floated downstream in the rushing flood waters.
High winds and fallen trees destroyed places that had been standing for decades.
Those that were able retreated to the upper levels of their homes. Many climbed onto the roofs to avoid drowning or being swept away by the flood waters.
The majority of communications were down. As were power lines, cable lines, and phone lines.
This made it difficult to try to get help for people in need. 911 was not working in a lot of these areas either.
Immediately after the storm, wonderfully beautiful people sprang into action.
Real Beauty
Beauty can be seen almost everywhere and in almost everyone. Even in the terrible aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
The amount of donations, volunteers, true grit, and determination that came from this tragic event was nothing short of amazing and beautiful.
These acts of selfishness give me so much pride to have been born and raised in North Carolina.
The people of North Carolina are as beautiful as our Appalachian mountains that were destroyed.
My friend Niki had a great idea to make kits for people that had lost everything.
She had a huge stash of empty Crown Royal bags. We put them to good use. We filled them with toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, chap sticks, flash lights, bandages, and OTC medications.
Niki then took them to places collecting donations and getting them up the mountains.
Donations
The amount of donations given to help the people and pets of western NC that were in need was overwhelming.
Donation centers were set up in many of these mountain communities.
These centers were filled with donations and volunteers to help distribute the donations.
The donations were over flowing.
Donations had to be put on pause at many of these locations. This pause allowed volunteers to sort, organize, and deliver the donations to those who needed them the most.
Volunteers
So many volunteered with great organizations to help with the needs that were left by Helene.
Samaritan’s Purse was one of the organizations taking volunteers.
Volunteers mainly focused on cleaning up yards, houses, and debris.
There was so much to be cleaned up. Downed trees and ruble from buildings being destroyed just to start.
Some of this had to be done to even begin to assess how bad the damage truly was.
Wild South was another volunteer group that sprang into action.
This group normally works on walking and bike trails to maintain and restore them. Nevertheless, in the aftermath of Helene, they pivoted and focused on helping those that needed it most. Shoveling and cleaning out houses that were no longer livable.
Do you have a volunteer group that you like to work with?
Tell your story in the comments or on Flauntly Yours socials.
True Grit
Many people took it upon themselves to help western NC after Helene.
Some places were not accessible except by, helicopters, four wheelers and side by sides, or horseback.
Groups of side by sides and four wheelers formed. They used their own equipment and time to check on those left stranded.
Pilots, who owned their own helicopters, spent their own money to help rescue those that had been stranded after the storm.
These pilots also dropped off StarLinks so that communication could start to be restored.
Others used their skills or experience to help those in need.
Linemen came from all over the United States and Canada to help with power outages.
Restaurants and churches set up events to feed these linemen for free.
The Cajun Navy dispatched and saved countless lives. The Cajun Navy is a civilian search and rescue group that is based out of Louisiana. My girl Angie is from Louisiana. So I already knew how wonderful they were before they arrived.
Experienced hikers and outdoors men were a vital part of helping communities shut off by the storm.
They used their expertise to get things to people unable to evacuate.
Professional Help
Healthcare workers and first responders have a calling.
It is who we are.
Several healthcare workers volunteered to help the devastated mountain communities in mobile medical units.
Wrap Up
Even in the middle of a tragedy, beauty will always shine through.
It will look different in everyone, because we are all different.
True beauty in someone will always shine and can never be dulled.
Be kind to everyone, you never know what battle they have fought or are now fighting just to be here.
Appreciate anyone that is willing to help you when you are in need.
Help those that need help when you can.
In doing this you will always be more beautiful than you could imagine.
Flauntly Yours,
A
Share any stories you have of true beauty in the comments or on any of the social media posts.
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