Greetings, Friends & Poetry Lovers. Trying to post from my phone. I just have an update this week. We did end up in the direct path of Helene as the storm hit the Southern Appalachians. We had dozens of trees down here, and about 15 cut up and cleared out by our wonderful neighbor and his formidable crew and big equipment. We've gotten to know our neighbors better. Who knew I'd be dragging out our hurricane box here instead of at the coast? We lost power overnight Thursday, which means water for us, too, since we're on a well. We were all safe inside and accounted for; our son & future daughter-in-law came here from the Asheville area to ride it out. (They've been in Charlotte a few days this week.) We were beyond grateful here to get power restored Wed. night, and I hope more and more folks can say that each day. So many crews are working hard. In Upstate SC, the death tolll from Helene has now exceeded that from Hugo in 1989. We're about a dozen miles from the NC line, and I'm sure you've seen the apocalyptic-looking images of flooding. We've been a bit cut off from news, but it's overwhelming. Seth & Ginnie aren't sure when they can get back to their home north of Asheville in a lovely small town, but they did eventually hear from neighbors that the houses are standing. They are driving to Asheville Friday to distribute supplies they've bought through a Go Fund Me a friend set up. Thanks for all the care & concern via social media; please keep prayers and support coming for those whose lives have been upended. Helicopters have been going back and forth overhead all week, and I imagine that will continue for a while. I hope to get back to Poetry Friday soon; not sure when we'll have internet/WiFi. Please go see Tabatha at The Opposite of Indifference for this week's Roundup. XO, Robyn (PS - The inner city church where Seth is one of the pastors is Haywood Street Congregation if you'd like to look up and/or support. I believe it's haywoodstreet.org but if I leave this attempt to post I'll lose it. Just discovered that. Thanks!)
Life on the Deckle Edge
Poetry Friday - Helene Update
Comments
Oct 04, 2024 6:39 AM EDT
Oh my goodness, Robyn. I am so sorry to hear you were in Helene's path. Hope you will find all the support you need. Praying for all.
- Cathy Stenquist
Reply by Robyn Hood Black on Oct 06, 2024 10:23 PM EDT
Thank you so much, Cathy. My family was very fortunate.
Oct 04, 2024 8:54 AM EDT
I am so glad you and your family are okay, Robyn. I have three nephews and their families in and around Asheville. They are all okay, but their roads are impassable, so can't get out. Best to all for things getting better every day.
- Linda Baie
Reply by Robyn Hood Black on Oct 06, 2024 10:27 PM EDT
Oh wow, Linda - I didn’t know you had folks over in this region. So many roads are washed out and cut off all over Western NC. I’m glad your family is okay, but that’s got to be so tough. Some delivering aid have not only been going in with helicopters, but using dirt bikes, ATVs, and mules. The actual animal kind!
Oct 04, 2024 12:37 PM EDT
Thinking of you and all those affected by the storm. Prayers and good thoughts coming your way.
- Rose Cappelli
Reply by Robyn Hood Black on Oct 06, 2024 10:28 PM EDT
Many thanks, Rose. All welcome!
Oct 04, 2024 1:27 PM EDT
Continued prayers, Robyn! I have a few dear friends in the Asheville area whose churches are under 6 feet of water. This will be a long recovery.
- PATRICIA FRANZ
Reply by Robyn Hood Black on Oct 06, 2024 10:29 PM EDT
Oh my goodness, Patricia. The number of buildings and of course people affected is beyond staggering.
Oct 04, 2024 2:25 PM EDT
Robyn, I'm so sorry about all of the damage and loss! Hoping your family and friends are on the way to recovery.
- Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Reply by Robyn Hood Black on Oct 06, 2024 10:31 PM EDT
Hi, Marcie. Thank you so much - our family is healthy and accounted for; the losses others are experiencing are unfathomable. Thank you for the kind words.
Oct 04, 2024 2:46 PM EDT
Robyn, thank you for the update. I was thinking of you and Seth when I first heard about Asheville. Peace to all those who have come in the path of Helene.
- Denise Krebs
Reply by Robyn Hood Black on Oct 06, 2024 10:34 PM EDT
Much appreciated, Denise. Seth & Ginnie went back home yesterday; we went on a big supply run first. They will possibly be without power a long time but were glad to reunite with friends/neighbors. Grateful we can have a “home base” here as they might need it for showers, laundry, heat, etc.
Oct 04, 2024 2:57 PM EDT
Thank you, all - my own family has been very fortunate. Seth & Ginnie did make it up to their place this afternoon (Fri.). It is okay and trees were moved off of their roads, but there are still power lines everywhere. Everywhere. They are actually up farther north than that now taking some supplies around to folks.
- Robyn Hood Black
Oct 04, 2024 3:29 PM EDT
Dearest Robyn ~ it's a good thing you have wings...and that the hope and support of all your friends and admirers will keep you aloft. Sending a great big hug.
- April Halprin Wayland
Reply by Robyn Hood Black on Oct 06, 2024 10:36 PM EDT
That makes me tear up in a good way, April - thank you. xo
Oct 04, 2024 6:10 PM EDT
Relieved to hear you and your loved ones are safe. Sorry about the property damage, but glad that Seth and Ginnie's home is okay. Will continue to pray for all who continue to struggle with the devastation and are grieving for their losses. A long road to recovery and restoration for sure.
- jama
Reply by Robyn Hood Black on Oct 06, 2024 10:38 PM EDT
Thank you, Dearest Jama, for all. Some of the updates I’ve been reading on my phone are quite grim. Grateful for the outpouring of support for this region.
Oct 04, 2024 8:34 PM EDT
Thank you so much, Robyn! I've been gobsmacked at the pictures we are seeing on the news of the devastation. Thank goodness your new home is OK and you are OK. Hang in there!
- Linda Mitchell
Reply by Robyn Hood Black on Oct 06, 2024 10:42 PM EDT
We appreciate it, Linda. Strange not having TV to see the news, as I’m usually a big consumer of it. The images I’ve seen on apps & social media are overwhelming. Seth & Ginnie saw lots of evidence of mudslides when they were on I-40 the other day, and so many washed-out roads as they went up even farther in the mountains Friday taking some supplies to folks.
Oct 04, 2024 10:10 PM EDT
Robyn, I'm so glad you're okay! Thank you for stopping in and letting us know. And thank you again for sending me my Ireland travel journal. As I use it the next couple of weeks, I'll be sending you and your family and community good thoughts!
- Laura Purdie Salas
Reply by Robyn Hood Black on Oct 06, 2024 10:45 PM EDT
Dear Laura - thank you! That warms my heart. Can’t wait to see pictures of your travels, & thanks again for the Etsy love. (I hate having to have my shop temporarily closed, but I need internet & WiFi to make it all work smoothly. One day at a time.) Have a WONDERFUL time!!
Oct 05, 2024 8:02 AM EDT
Robyn, thank you for the update. The images from Helene's path through the Carolinas are stunning. Meanwhile we were just down on the FL panhandle, close to where she made landfall and things are normal-ish. Still some standing water in places and some trash/fallen trees...but overall in good shape. But where y'all are... It reminds me of when we get a snowstorm here in the south...it's just so unexpected and we don't have the infrastructure! Keeping you and yours in my thoughts and prayers. xo
- Irene Latham
Reply by Robyn Hood Black on Oct 06, 2024 10:49 PM EDT
Hi, Irene. Thank you. This was a crazy storm. My brother Mike & Scott live in St. Pete where there was devastating flooding, even though the eye didn’t go there. Their neighborhood is still piled high with debris, and now another hurricane is on the way. Up here, the ground was already saturated from a stalled front. Then an estimated 40 trillion (with a t) gallons of water was dumped on the mountains. Rivers that previously had high crests of less than 10 feet were at 20-30 feet. Unfathomable.
Oct 05, 2024 9:32 AM EDT
Prayers for you, your family, and all those impacted. It's been devasting.
- Cathy
Reply by Robyn Hood Black on Oct 06, 2024 10:51 PM EDT
Thank you so much, Cathy. Every prayer is appreciated, especially for those who have lost dear ones, and everything else.
Oct 05, 2024 12:37 PM EDT
Robyn, sending hugs, prayers, and hope for you and your family!
- Karen Edmisten
Reply by Robyn Hood Black on Oct 06, 2024 10:52 PM EDT
Many thanks, Karen - we’ll take ‘em and so appreciate the kindness!
Oct 05, 2024 2:41 PM EDT
Hi Robyn, thank you so much for updating us. I will send a donation to Seth's church. xo
- Tabatha
Reply by Robyn Hood Black on Oct 06, 2024 10:55 PM EDT
That is so thoughtful, Tabatha, thank you. He went back today for the first time. No running water, but they’re managing to care for the folks on the Respite side. They usually have a big community meal on Wednesdays, and they’ve moved that to the parking lot for the time being. Thank you again for hosting this week and for sharing my update. xo
Oct 06, 2024 2:17 PM EDT
Robyn, I am so sorry that you were in Helene's pathway. There is so much devastation. We are praying for everyone who has been affected by the hurricane.
- Carol Varsalona
Reply by Robyn Hood Black on Oct 06, 2024 10:56 PM EDT
Thanks so much, Carol. It’s a disaster of staggering proportions. All the prayers & support are much appreciated!