Cherryville Native Survives In Swannanoa NC: WNN Surveys NC Mountain Damages
By: Rusty Wise – Wise News Network
Swannanoa, NC (WNN)—The Wise News Network Team went to the NC Mountains on Thursday, October 3rd, to help with relief efforts and report the devastation. Hurricane Helene devastated the western part of the North Carolina area on September 27th, 2024. The rain, which started days earlier, increased the total rainfall even before Helene arrived. Estimates of over 30 inches of rain inundated western NC and towns such as Black Mountain, Swannanoa, Asheville, and Spruce Pine.
Black Mountain, NC
As of yesterday morning, 71% of the Town of Black Mountain’s roads were clear. However, only portions of Black Mountain had power, and cell and internet service was spotty. Electric energization ignited fires caused by downed trees and lines to homes. The Black Mountain Fire Department is pulling electric meters to prevent the fire issue, especially in unoccupied homes.
The majority of Black Mountain, Montreat, and Ridgecrest were without power. There is no estimated time for when water and sewer will be available. The Town of Black Mountain will depend on the North Fork water line, which suffered significant damage.
Crews gathered at the Black Mountain Fire Department for their daily assignments. The crews consisted mainly of Firefighters, Rescuers, EMS personnel, and the National Guard. However, about every local, State, and Federal government agency branch could be seen in the area.
Swannanoa, NC
From Black Mountain and just a few miles to the west is Swannanoa, NC. The Swannanoa River runs right through it. The river is fed by many creeks and tributaries in the area. In Black Mountain, the river is fed by Flat Creek, followed by the North Fork Swannanoa River as you get into Swannanoa, NC. The river flow picks up as you head to Asheville, NC.
WNN set up the mobile studios with a satellite feed across from the First Baptist Church of Swannanoa, NC. The church sits high on a hill in the middle of town, spared from flooding. The church is a significant hurricane relief drop-off center for the community. The destruction of Swannanoa is devastating, significantly the closer you get to the river. Homes, businesses, and people were washed away. There has not been an exact count of missing people, but one official stated it could be well over 600 in the area. Ten bodies have already been recovered in Swannanoa, NC. As helicopters hovered above, several interviews were conducted on camera and off.
Cherryville, NC Connection
One Swannonoa local was interviewed: Charles Neal, who is originally from Cherryville, NC. By luck, the Neal Family survived and saved their home. However, their neighbors were not so lucky; they lost their homes, per Neal.
“It came and hit hard at one time. Friday morning, my son called me around 530. He works for a sheriff’s department and says, Dad, get out, get out now, get to higher grounds! It wasn’t like 30 minutes later, and we were underwater. It spared our home, but on my road, there are like four houses left, and the rest of them wiped out. It just made like a horseshoe around my house. I was lucky enough to only get water damage in the basement.” – Charles Neal.
Lost Parents
A daughter is looking for her parents, who were last seen at their mobile home at 15 Avery Wood Dr, in Swannanoa, NC. Nola and Robert Ramseur have been missing since Friday morning. Their daughter Shalana Jordan, who lives two hours away from Swannanoa in Winston-Salem, NC, stated she spoke with them at around 7:30 AM and hasn’t been able to reach them since. Their mobile home next to the Swannanoa River was flooded and damaged but was mostly intact after the storm. The North Carolina 211 system can be utilized for people looking for loved ones. Please dial 2-1-1 or visit www.nc211.org for more information.
Asheville, NC
As the Swannanoa River runs west, it hits the Asheville area and meets the French Broad River in Asheville. The area right before this happens is the Biltmore Village district. The district was heavily flooded with remnants of debris from Black Mountain, Swannanoa, and everything in between. Parts of houses, mobile homes, barns, cars, roofs, air conditioners, trees, and about anything of material value could be seen in the destruction area. Unfortunately, bodies are probably among the debris and buried as well.
Spruce Pine, NC
For travel, Spruce Pine, NC, is mainly cut off from most of the world. WNN was able to get there with the help of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, which directed us. What usually is a short trip from I-40 through Marion, NC, took hours through Morganton, NC, then north and over from almost Tennessee.
Like many other towns, the North Toe River runs through Spruce Pine, devastating the area as flood waters rose. One Spruce Pine, NC local, Nora Fraser, stated she saw the river over the buildings on the lower street (Locust Street). Fraser lives on the upper street (Oak Ave) and had no flooding damage, but an adjacent building wall fell onto the house. The main town block of Spruce Pine, NC, had just restored power, but many areas were still out.
People Helping People
All the towns we visited did not have water or sewer, which will be an ongoing issue even after power is restored. Cell Communications and internet Wi-Fi are still spotty all over the areas. Another issue we encountered was the Yellow Jacket bees. They were everywhere, especially down in the Swannanoa River areas. Many remote rural areas have yet to be searched, and those areas will also have extended outages and possible deaths.
The flooding of Hurricane Helene was an utter disaster, but people were helping people. You didn’t hear about sports, politics, or other social issues. After seeing and reading the destruction through WNN, you may understand that the things you thought were important are not so much now.
Wise News Lives From Swannanoa and Spruce Pine:
Want to Help?
The Wise Companies, including Wise News Network and the Cherryville New Years Shooters have a Hurricane Relief Donation site at 1242 Shelby Hwy, Cherryville, NC 28021. If you would like to donate, please drop off whatever you can. Water and medicine for bee stings are good items, as are the items below. We plan to take a truckload to the Swannonoa, NC, area on Sunday, October 4th, 2024.
- Non-Perishable Food Items
- Bee Sting Medicine (chewable Benedryl etc.)
- Can Openers
- Water (Gallon Jugs & Cases)
- Coolers (new)
- Batteries
- Plastic Forks & Spoons
- Plates
- First Aid Items
- Flashlights
- Solar Lights
- Generators any size (new in box if possible)
- Extension Cords (any length)
- Portable Flood Lights
- Toiletries (Toilet Paper, Disposable Wet Wipes, Feminine Hygiene Products)
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Diapers
- Baby Formula
- Pet Food
- Engine Oil & 2 Cycle Oil
- Bar Oil (For Chainsaws)
- Gas Cans (new)
- Work Gloves
- Yard Clean Up Tools
- Socks
- Blankets
- Pet Food (Dry Dog and Cat Food)
- Toys for Small Children
- Board Games
- And anything else you can think of to give to a family!
- Note: We can take pallets of water, goods, etc.
How Long Items Can Be Donated:
We will keep the box truck open for donations from 8 AM to 8 PM daily until further notice and transport items as needed. As previously stated, come to the front office door at the Wise Companies Main Office at 1242 Shelby Highway, Cherryville, NC, 28021. We’ll pack your donation into the truck and be ready to ship it out. Please help us fill up the entire box truck for those in need!
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