Hello,  Thanks to those who have reached out privately. I decided I would email the list as WNC needs significant prayers, as well as water, necessities. Anything you all can contribute is definitely needed. I can’t provide links as I don’t have internet consistently. 

The rest of email could be considered graphic and traumatic so stop reading if you have went through something similar as it can be triggering.

First I am overwhelmed by the destruction suffered by so many in our communities. For me personally, we are TOTALLY stable. No power, internet and without power for 5 days. I am hauling creek water to flush toilets and a friend came from Gastonia to bring me cases of water. Basement flooded but we have our lives, cars, home, etc. My kids are good and safe sent them to play with people who have water/power. During trauma people really do come together. Neighbors have been awesome!

I haven’t had much internet but have seen pictures of Swannanoa, Black Mountain, Burnsville, Chimney Rock, Lake Lure, Marshall, Canton, Celo, Spruce Pine, Hendersonville….and more. I am three miles up from the Biltmore House which sits between French Broad River and Swannanoa River. Its a disaster zone. Literally. I have clients who are former military who are saying this is worse than war zones they have been in.

I am aware they are retrieving bodies from trees and rivers and still have rescue efforts underway. People are still trapped in their houses and can’t get out. Houses and cars washed away and people caught in floods and mudslides. 

I did hear a positive story that a group stopped by a construction site and saw a man’s face barely visible out of the mud. They pulled him out alive They began looking and saved 5 others.

I personally know many people who lost their houses and cars. 

People are wrapping their children in T-shirts as they have no diapers.

And one person (a friend) watch her neighbor on top of a roof with his dog be washed away along with his house They haven’t found him. Some people have also shared down in Edneyville/Chimney Rock watching houses slide down the mtn.

Ambulances and helicopters are constant. It rattles the system. 

I have watched destruction on TV and went back to my life…. There is nothing to compare when living it.  The entire infrastructure of water system is gone, washed away and the water station in shambles and full of mud. No trash pick up. Morgues are filling up and bodies are piled up in some of the towns. 

They are trying to get to people who are alive.

It’s beyond anything I have experienced. My neighbor who lived through Katrina said it’s more daunting than that for her.

I haven’t seen any national news or local. Only spotty Facebook reels that I can’t download fully to see. So haven’t even seen all that has occurred. Hear the rest of the world is still a mess too!

Hug your loved ones. Be grateful for water, shower and hot meals. 

It is devastating.

With so much sadness,

Shaaron Boyles

(*Shared with permission)

Please consider contributing to a charity of your choice. There are many! However, below are a few that have been suggested.

Donate to Appalachian Relief Fund

Donate to World Central Kitchen

Donate to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee