In this essay, journalist Jessica Wakeman describes the new norms of life when taps don't work, bathroom rules have changed, showers are scarce, and plastic bottles are sacred.
We started with NO water and could not get any gas-noone was bringing any drinking water to north asheville. Now we can get gas and thankful for the churches supplying water cause otherwise we would have to go downtown for it. In one fell swoop we were back In the 1700's except without the pioneer knowledge.
Way back in 1973, I lived in the Oakley community of Asheville while student teaching at Pisgah High in Canton. Oakley was/is located up the hill a bit from Biltmore Village....it is incredible to see that area under water. In '73, much of the current "village area" was an old industrial/warehouse area that was clearly past its prime, not the trendy shops and restaurants of today. I'm writing this almost a month after Helene hit and am amazed how much has been done to get things back.
I'm old enough to remember the "old Asheville" and am impressed with how so many, old and new, are working together today.
"Thank you for your story, Jessica." sounds horribly insufficient but I am grateful for your words. Donations and good thoughts from Durham to you and your community.
People in Pennsylvania are getting supplies for u, my daughter and son in law are part of a group coming down on the 31st..I dont know what ur going through right now but maybe a bus could come a take u to place to shower and sleep for the night.
What infuriates me the lack of federal help normally tractor trailers of generators and other supplies are brought by FEMA part of the federal government this is not happening
My son and I went there with a drone to try and help find people trapped nope wouldnt let us..
More lives could have been saved if they would have let drones come in many have heat sensing technology this seriously could have saved lives.
I’m so very sorry this happened to you all and I don’t have a lot of funds to help but I have helped distribute water and next weekend for my bday I told my daughter I want to go help for the clean up so that’s what we are doing
My heart goes out to you with love and anger
The suffering shouldn’t be alllowed to continue
We have high levels in the military that has the ability to get everyone trapped out and could have been deployed the day it happened and could have been there to help ease the effects of the catastrophe and that’s exactly what it is a catastrophe
There is towns completely gone the number of missing people is in the hundreds if not thousands
When the president was asked about how y’all were doing if yall had what you needed he said what storm oh yes that one yea they have everything they need they are happy
In my opinion this is a level of treason by our federal government. Some may say I sound extreme I’m lit living it but I have been there I have seen what it’s done to my family, their land and everyone else, the ones who dies bc they could t get water fast enough the ones who weren’t found in time to get life saving meds they needed yes this is a time we should all be extreme if that’s what it takes for this to never happen again, I do t care who is in charge this should not have been allowed to happen..
Primarily being red areas imo is why help hasn’t came like it should have
Sorry for the rant this just really bothers me as it should all Americans
Thanks for your story.🥰
Thank @Jessica Wakeman!
How quickly we learn what we take for granted when it's withheld from us for any length of time. Scary, actually... Thanks for sharing, Jeremy!
We started with NO water and could not get any gas-noone was bringing any drinking water to north asheville. Now we can get gas and thankful for the churches supplying water cause otherwise we would have to go downtown for it. In one fell swoop we were back In the 1700's except without the pioneer knowledge.
Im so sorry this happened and im sorry our traderous federal level government hasn’t been doing what it’s supposed to do
Thank you for her story. Heartbreaking...and she obviously is one of the lucky ones. Prayers and donations continue for our fellow North Carolinians.
Way back in 1973, I lived in the Oakley community of Asheville while student teaching at Pisgah High in Canton. Oakley was/is located up the hill a bit from Biltmore Village....it is incredible to see that area under water. In '73, much of the current "village area" was an old industrial/warehouse area that was clearly past its prime, not the trendy shops and restaurants of today. I'm writing this almost a month after Helene hit and am amazed how much has been done to get things back.
I'm old enough to remember the "old Asheville" and am impressed with how so many, old and new, are working together today.
I sure enjoyed this story. As difficult as it was to read about the hardships, it’s obviously a true account of a disaster. Kudos to Ms. Wakeman!
"Thank you for your story, Jessica." sounds horribly insufficient but I am grateful for your words. Donations and good thoughts from Durham to you and your community.
People in Pennsylvania are getting supplies for u, my daughter and son in law are part of a group coming down on the 31st..I dont know what ur going through right now but maybe a bus could come a take u to place to shower and sleep for the night.
I live in south Asheville. Your welcome to come by if you need a hot shower and cup of coffee.
What infuriates me the lack of federal help normally tractor trailers of generators and other supplies are brought by FEMA part of the federal government this is not happening
My son and I went there with a drone to try and help find people trapped nope wouldnt let us..
More lives could have been saved if they would have let drones come in many have heat sensing technology this seriously could have saved lives.
I’m so very sorry this happened to you all and I don’t have a lot of funds to help but I have helped distribute water and next weekend for my bday I told my daughter I want to go help for the clean up so that’s what we are doing
My heart goes out to you with love and anger
The suffering shouldn’t be alllowed to continue
We have high levels in the military that has the ability to get everyone trapped out and could have been deployed the day it happened and could have been there to help ease the effects of the catastrophe and that’s exactly what it is a catastrophe
There is towns completely gone the number of missing people is in the hundreds if not thousands
When the president was asked about how y’all were doing if yall had what you needed he said what storm oh yes that one yea they have everything they need they are happy
In my opinion this is a level of treason by our federal government. Some may say I sound extreme I’m lit living it but I have been there I have seen what it’s done to my family, their land and everyone else, the ones who dies bc they could t get water fast enough the ones who weren’t found in time to get life saving meds they needed yes this is a time we should all be extreme if that’s what it takes for this to never happen again, I do t care who is in charge this should not have been allowed to happen..
Primarily being red areas imo is why help hasn’t came like it should have
Sorry for the rant this just really bothers me as it should all Americans
Treason??
Turn off Fox, get off Twitter, and stop spreading lies. This bullshit has already forced FEMA to stop door to door efforts in Lake Lure.
Pee outside, dig holes, and build a composting toilets. Stop wasting precious water. Thank you
Amen brother
Pee outside, dig holes, and build a composting toilets. Stop wasting precious water. Thank you