After Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc across the southeastern United States, the resilience of communities shines brightly against the backdrop of devastation. The hurricane, significant for its deadly impact, made landfall on September 26, 2023, and led to unprecedented flooding particularly affecting North Carolina. Over 200 fatalities were linked to the storm, with nearly half occurring within North Carolina. The aftermath of the storm prompted numerous individuals and organizations to step up and help the affected areas.
Brianna Krejchik, who watched the storm's destruction from Sauk City, Wisconsin, felt compelled to action. "I had this burning in my gut," she recounted of her reaction witnessing the devastation through news channels and social media. With her husband, Ivan, Brianna knew they had to respond to the disaster. She decided to contact her local pastor, Father Miguel Galvez, of the Mary, Mother of Mercy Pastorate, to propose collecting donations for relief efforts. Her initiative, dubbed Operation Mercy on Wheels, aimed to fill a semi-truck with supplies and deliver them to those who needed help most.
Upon reaching out to Father Galvez, he was instantly drawn to her proposals. Brianna recalled the conversation, stating, "Do you have a semi-truck? No. Do you have a driver? No. When do you want to do this? Two weeks or less." Father Galvez, undeterred by the initial lack of resources, agreed to help Brianna shape her idea. What unfolded was nothing short of miraculous. The community rallied together, generously donating nearly $15,000 and 15,000 pounds of supplies. Within just 13 days, all logistics were arranged, and the semi-truck filled with much-needed items set out for North Carolina.
They chose to deliver aid to Black Mountain—an area severely affected by Helene, which had seen significant infrastructural damage. With the guidance of Cajun Navy Relief, Brianna connected with local organizers to identify the most pressing needs of the community. She expressed the urgency they felt: “They needed anything they could get,” she said. With their supplies, the Krejchik family and volunteers traveled over 900 miles to deliver goods and assist at the local relief station, which was based out of a strip mall.
The donations included indispensable items like generators, bedding, and food supplies, carefully curated according to the needs identified by local relief leaders. This on-the-ground effort spanned over the week, yielding not only provisions but also emotional support, as the volunteers spent time praying with locals who had endured deep losses. Father Galvez, reflecting on the compassion displayed, remarked, "I could see how their donations were being directly handed to those who truly needed it." The gratitude expressed by recipients was palpable; as Donna Verges said, the people of Black Mountain were “so, so thankful.”
Yet, the path forward is muddled with struggles. Businesses were devastated, impacting not only their owners but also the broader economic fabric of Asheville. Devin DeHoll, who ran the Asheville Adventure Company, reflected on the heartbreaking toll brought by Helene: "The storm very nearly destroyed our entire company." With four out of five locations submerged, the business had to downsize drastically alongside the loss of revenue from the typically busy fall tourism season. The urgency of aid became more pronounced as local economies depended heavily on visitors during this peak time.
The diverse effects of Hurricane Helene on Asheville led to expected losses of approximately $585 million for small businesses. Mayor Esther Manheimer highlighted the dire situation when she stated, "We are open for business, and we do need your business"—a rallying call for the recovery of local establishments.
Meanwhile, as some businesses struggle to reopen and adjust to new realities, community spirit remains unbroken. The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa, for example, creatively transformed their annual gingerbread house competition, known as the Gingerbread Trail of Giving. Chef John Cook noted how they managed to capture community interest through collaboration with local businesses to showcase these edible artworks, also serving as donation points for the Always Asheville Fund—supporting recovery efforts for local hospitality sectors.
This collective commitment to rebuilding demonstrates the strength of Asheville's community. Nicole Will, from Asheville Wellness Tours, emphasized this sentiment, acknowledging, “We expect to be scrappy and adaptable... it’s just this uncertainty on all fronts.” There’s call for public support, as business owners and local leaders stress the importance of both financial contribution and visitor engagement to help diminish the long-term impacts of the storm.
Given the struggles faced and the collaborative steps taken, recovery remains underway. The city's infrastructure is being rebuilt piece by piece, and local leaders are urging visitors to continue supporting Asheville. It’s becoming increasingly clear: Asheville is resilient, welcoming, and open, ready to embrace the return of visitors and share its spirit with everyone.
