Hello, Friends,
On Saturday morning, I shared an update regarding the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene on our community here in western North Carolina.
I’ve received an overwhelming outpouring of kindness, support, and well-wishes… in the best possible way.
Thank you.
In the two days since that update, I’ve had more time to survey the damage in our community and the Swannanoa/Black Mountain area.
I thought I’d share an update…
No Vehicle Egress
After posting my Saturday update, I fueled up my chainsaw and, with my daughters’ help clearing debris, got to work on the first batch of trees blocking our driveway.
When you’re cut off from society, wielding a chainsaw, and working with fallen trees under pressure, safety is paramount. Thoughts like, “Safety first, always have a clear escape, and be patient and methodical” run through your mind constantly. There would be no professional medical attention if I made a mistake.
After lunch, we decided to explore further down our road and connected with neighbors.
It was then that we discovered the extent of the damage along our two-mile-long mountain road. Every 10-20 meters, trees blocked the road. I soon realized that clearing my driveway was futile. So, our neighborhood made a plan and started gathering resources to tackle the downed trees together.
We also learned that the bridge connecting our community to Swannanoa had been completely washed away. Even if we cleared all the trees, there was no way to get vehicles across the water.
A Neighbor in Need
That afternoon, we learned that one of our elderly neighbors urgently needed antibiotics for a tooth infection—she had a root canal appointment scheduled for this week, but there are no detist office open. Another neighbor, Chris, and I made a plan to bike into town to find the medication Sunday.
Reconnaissance
Beyond helping our neighbor, many of us were eager to assess the damage between us and town—a roughly seven-mile stretch of road.
Keep in mind: we were so completely cut off that almost no one knew what things looked like in Swannanoa.
One friend and neighbor, who owns an auto repair service in town, had no idea if his business was still standing.
We wanted to get reliable information to share with our neighbors so rumors wouldn’t fuel anxiety (and yes, rumors had already started because, as we all know, that’s what happens when people are worried and there’s a lack of information).
Sunday Morning
Overnight, I charged several of my HTs (handheld VHF/UHF radios) and distributed them to neighbors (thankfully, I’ve collected quite a few of these over the years especially since everyone in our family has a license). I set up a simplex frequency and schedule so we could communicate. I also wrote down instructions in case someone accidentally bumped a button and needed to re-tune to the correct frequency.
No, most of these people don’t have licenses, but this is 100% a real emergency. Hams in the region have even been giving volunteers their radios to share wellness checks via our repeater systems and the emergency response network.
Neighbors were excited to finally have a way to communicate and coordinate. Even though we all live on the same road, downed trees and other debris mean it can take 10-15 minutes to get from one house to another. The radios cut through all of that, giving us an instant way to share critical information.
As I said in my previous post, having a radio is like having a superpower.
First thing Sunday morning, I turned on my radio and monitored the Mount Mitchell repeater. After checking traffic, I prepared my circa 1990 Fuji Suncrest mountain bike. She’s a hearty girl!
Chris and I met, got our neighbor’s prescription, and headed down the two-mile stretch. The journey was tedious, with fallen trees and downed power lines along the way.
I also packed a notepad and pencil to gather wellness checks and messages for loved ones. I ended up taking about a dozen messages—both to relay between neighbors and for the emergency net.
I won’t lie: crossing the creek/river, carrying our bikes, on a make-shift foot bridge neighbors pieced together, was dodgy at best. I decided then and there that I would not take the bike across on the way back. We’d hike the two miles up the road.
Town in Ruins
When we arrived in Swannanoa, it was heartbreaking. Flood-affected areas were utterly devastated. Entire neighborhoods were wiped out. I teared up seeing buildings pushed from one side of the road to the other. The loss of life from this event will likely be far greater than anyone imagined.
Chris discovered that his truck, parked in what he thought was a safe grocery store parking lot had floodwaters up to the seat—total loss. Of course it wouldn’t start and it might be a total loss.
The pharmacy in Swannanoa was closed, so we biked on US 70 to Black Mountain to check another Chris heard was open. Unfortunately, it was not.
Fortunately, however, a kind business owner, who was removing medications from his flooded store, gave us the antibiotics we needed. He wouldn’t accept payment. Amazing!
We also picked up free dog food being given away at Hazel’s vet office. I packed two bags—the maximum my 33L pack could hold—for neighbors who needed it. Hazel is set for at least a week, maybe more.
The ride back was more challenging since I was now carrying extra weight. My tires really needed a tad more air with the weight, but one of my Presta valves is a little questionable and I I didn’t want to risk it breaking.
We stashed our bikes at a neighbor’s house—a couple we’d never met before—who gave us keys to retrieve them anytime we needed them later. Again, we didn’t want to risk crossing the bridge again with the bikes—once was sketchy enough.
The hike back up the mountain (a 1,000-foot elevation gain) was tough, but we managed to catch two short rides, which helped. We also met neighbors hauling gasoline up with a hand truck and caught up with them.
I got home around 5:00 PM, exhausted after a 20 mile round trip into town on a bike that, at that point, was caked with river silt/mud. While the biking wasn’t too bad (thanks to all my cycling—mostly stationary these days), the heavy lifting, dog food in my pack and non-stop work over the previous few days were catching up with me.
That night, I collapsed into bed and slept soundly.
Continuing Updates
I’ll try to continue these updates regularly.
To be honest, I’m so tired and busy that it’s hard to find time, but I want to share this experience with you. You’re my radio family, and I want you to know how we’re doing.
Thank You
I’ve received so much support and kindness from all of you—it’s truly amazing. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!
I won’t be able to respond to messages and comments right now–my hands are just too full–but please know I read and appreciate each and every one. Thanks for understanding.
I’ll leave you with this: I’m so incredibly proud of our amateur radio community. Everyone snapped into emergency communication mode, and now it’s all second nature. It’s truly inspiring—this network of people ready and eager to help.
I hope to post again soon.
Thank you, and 72!
Thomas (K4SWL)
Your neighbors are truly blessed to having you help them, Thomas. They’re finding out that some hams have invisible wings 🙏 de WI2C
Thomas – such a heartbreaking situation you are in. I know another couple who we spent an evening with last October with in Asheville are also in similar situations with no access to the outside world, however they are safe as well. Just want you to know that I’m thinking and praying for all of you down there. 73 KN3A.
Just Wow Thomas. I’m so glad you, your family and Hazel are safe. We are seeing some harrowing images from our local media outlets here in Australia. Your community is in good hands with the likes of you helping! The Ham/QRP/SWL community have your back. If you need assistance, just ask! Andy, VK5LA
Thank you for the update Thomas, we really appreciate it. Know that you, your family, and neighbors and community are in my prayers.
Peace to All
de W6CSN
Thanks, Thomas for the update and glad to hear you and the family are still doing okay!
That is so sad to see on the news, and hear from reports like yours, how hard the area has been hit. It is great however to hear how well the community bonds together during trials, and how a hobby like ours can have such a huge impact.
Keep staying safe as you recover and we do appreciate the time you take for these updates.
It’s been a wild ride listening to the repeater down there. It’s surreal hearing you on it. I can’t even begin to imagine how tough this is for all of you. Prayers and best wishes. Hopefully things begin to recover and you can get back to some semblance of normalcy.
Wow! Thomas, so sorry to see all that people are dealing with across the southeast. It will take a long time to get things cleaned up and decades for the scars to lives and your beautiful state to heal. Best to you and your family and your neighbors.
K7ULM Dick
Thank you for sharing and helping those in need. It is going to be a long uphill battle getting back to normal. Start a fund my friend. I am sure that fellow hams will kick in. I certainly will send some help your way. Just let the ham community know what is needed. Or where some funds can be sent. Not sure what FCC rules are related to such matters. What are the rules and or restrictions related to such matters. I will help.
Thanks for the update. I have been listening to the Mt Mitchell group via Broadcastify. What a great job they are doing. Our thoughts and prayers for all of you.
Thomas, God will bless you for your hard work with your neighbors. Y’all are still in my prayers.
Fr Richard
wb8yxf
Thomas — You and your neighbors are real heroes, no doubt about it. Your efforts in support of others are inspiring.
And providing radios to non-hams in an emergency situation is absolutely, 100% the right thing to do. Having comms to keep everyone connected, coordinated, safe, supporting each other, and working together is invaluable.
Oh wow, that’s some extensive damage. I’m so glad you and your family are safe, as well as your community. I wish you a speedy recovery of your ability to egress the mountain and re-connect to get supplies etc. Stay safe and 73 de AI5DD Joe
Thomas, your entire area is going through a heartrending tragedy of a degree most of us can’t even imagine. Your perseverance and that of your neighbors is awe inspiring. My wife and I hope the best for you and your family, that you get the supplies you need and the roads become passable. We both grew up in NC and love the Asheville area and are stunned beyond words to see photos of areas we know well so devastated. We hold you to the light.
Hang in there Tom! Praying for you
What you are doing for friends and family is heroic, Thomas. I love the way you distributed HTs to neighbors and set up a commo net. Having spent days as a photo journalist after the Nelson County, VA, flood from Hurricane Camille in 1969, I can strongly relate to the scope of the tragedy. The Good Lord and his Guardian Angels are walking with you as your rescue and recovery continues. Be safe. Be careful. And soldier on, as many are benefitting from your efforts. As others have said, please consider a fund where fellow hams can contribute to honor your work.
Sending prayers for all those affected by this disaster.
God bless you Thomas for being a great neighbor.
73
Brett/K5BEZ
Thomas
Thanks for the update… certainly, an overwhelming time. Be safe! Praying for you guys,
72,
Pat NØHR
Such heart wrenching stories, Thomas. I don’t know what to say that others haven’t already said. After reading your story, I went to tell my wife; halfway through telling her about it, I got all chocked-up and couldn’t continue…
Our thoughts are with you all.
Jeff (ve7eff)
Prayers for all of you. Thank you for assisting all your neighbors. That medication may have saved a life. Normalcy seems a long way off now. But there will be a time this is a memory and a photo album. But your neighborhood will be much closer together. Stay safe.
Thomas-all of your friends out west in Oregon are thinking of you and your community. We are proud of your efforts especially using your ham skills to assist in the relief. Stay safe and of course if there’s anything we can do from way out here let us know.
Thomas, thank you for this update. I wondered what may await you beyond the driveway. The available reports are horrific. I guessed, given your POTA reports and penchant for prep, that you would be prepared for these challenges. And, of course, you are! Family and community will sustain you before and well after the official help arrives. Prayers for you, your family and neighbors continued well being.
The images coming out of North Carolina are overwhelming and heartbreaking, and I have been wondering how you faired. Thank you for the update! I’m glad to hear that you and your family are safe and sound and persevering in no small part thanks to your resourcefulness under extraordinary circumstances. You never truly know what you are made of until you are put to the test. I’m sure that there are a lot of people in your community who are thanking their lucky stars that you are their neighbor. Ham radio to the rescue! 73 de KQ4DFV
Thomas, I imagined that you would be really resilient. you’ve proved yourself to be a great person, and a great ambassador for amateur radio. It’s great that you and your family were living somewhat off the grid to begin with, so you were better prepared for this than most. Take care of yourselves, stay safe, and know that you and everyone else there are in our thoughts and prayers. My best friend from high school, his wife and their disabled adult daughter live in Black Mountain, but had to leave their house. It will be several weeks before they can go back home. I can’t come out there right now, but I’ve done disaster work in the past and hope to be up there mid October. Take care and best.
So sorry to hear about all the devastation up there, Thomas. It sounds like you have a great community, a great help in mitigating all the issues you now face. All the best and thanks for the update.
Thomas… I was hoping you would be able to update the last post. Thanks so much for sharing. Wish we could all be there to help out. Good luck OM. very best. Jim W1PID
Truly heroic efforts. Do stay safe and if there is anyway or anything I can do from here, please, please do not hesitate to ask.
Bob, WK2Y
Prayers For all. Stay safe.
Thomas, thank you for taking the time to share the news from your area. Devastating. And a great reminder/primer on the usefulness of having a few extra HTs … AND the importance of COMMUNITY!
Please let your radio community here know if you all need anything or how best to help.
73, WØVZ, Durham
Hi Thomas,
Thanks for taking the time for this update. Glad that you and your family are safe. All the best and good luck for the recovery.
Nanak, OE3NQA
Thomas,it is difficult to comprehend the scale of destruction that must be replicated throughout communities similar to yours. It is going to take considerable time and effort to repair the damage. As you have observed, take great care while clearing the debris as an injury is the last thing you need.
We have had excessive rain in the UK this year and some areas have flooding, but seeing pictures from the US, rather puts it into perspective.
You and your family stay safe.
73
Nick G0OQK
Thomas,
The scale of the devastation is just mindblowing. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I can’t imagine the effort it is taking to write when you have so much to deal with, but the updates are greatly appreciated. I can’t help but think that your storytelling and photographic skills will be able to bring the impacts of this disaster to people’s hearts in a way that the brief coverage in the traditional media just can’t.
All blessings to you, your family, your neighbors and all who are dealing with the aftermath of this disaster.
Thomas
Keep up the good work. Staying together and coordinating with your neighbors is the only way to go. I empathize with your situation which is beyond hard to imagine. I trust the repeater you are using has battery back up and hope it stays up if it is not on the power grid. You could if needed, use the repeater output frequency to relay to close neighbors to go to 146.52 VHF to penetrate the tree situation or 446 if not already programmed in their radios with best gain antennas, since their battery will not last long especially if they have to be un-squelched due to distance or short antenna, without a charge. For the most distant neighbors if you have DMR simplex it is 4 times more effective range and penetration wise and does not use the battery up as fast as FM utilizing 441 or an alternative 2 meter DMR simplex freq would be good if you have and can utilize DMR simplex mode. Just some additional tool box info you could possibly utilize.
Keep the faith
Rich
Thomas, you are an invaluable asset to your community and a fine example of leadership for us radio amateurs. Hang in there, the country is behind you!
Thomas – how can those of us not nearby help aside from wishing “thoughts and prayers?” I’d like us to find more ways to assist.
Oh no. Such an awful situation.
I’m certain many of us would help if we could.
It’s made me think about how my family and I would cope in a similar situation.
I pray your community gets the help it needs.
Thomas,
I’ve been seeing the reports of utter devastation from the storm. My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family, for safety, well-being, and a recovery.
The road & property damage throughout your area is extensive. Helene was a monster. But take charge, throw you full efforts into it, you and your neighbors, and keep us involved in the recovery efforts. I’d like to send you some monies to help… let me know, ok?
Thanks Tom for the updates. So proud of you and the whole ham community. Tom, you are the hero!
Heartbreaking to read of the devastation of your home and community Thomas… Glad to hear your family are safe and your community is coming together to help others. Wishing you and your neighbors all the best as you navigate the next few weeks.
Thank you for being an excellent ambassador for our hobby and showing people how powerful a radio is!
I wish you safety and a swift recovery in your community.
Thomas, glad you and yours are ok. And, no surprise you are making a difference for those around you! Best!
GREAT idea for handing walkie talkies to neighbors!!! Thanks for idea.. I have a bunch laying around, I keep them charged all the time. Suggest you tell them about battery life and turn on only if needing to transmit emergency.. or once every hour in first five minutes…for check in. Bob.. W5RF
Praying for all of you.
My Brothers son in law Andrew is a ham operator and he continually finds ways to use his ham radio for the better good He is always ready for the next challenge God bless him
Tom
Two red cross members with a mobile field kitchen from my area (NW VT) should be arriving near your location today. If you can’t get to them send me an mail and I’ll try to hire a chopper to bring in food, water and fuel for your group.
Be safe and stay well!
73/72
Joe Krone WA2SPL
Alburgh VT
Greetings,Joe at WA2SPL, Alburgh VT,
Besides setting up Comms, a mobile kitchen is one of the most immediate, actionable programs to activate…Prepared local communities can learn from your streamlined delivery system how to best deliver first in time small, localized ”soup kitchens” to frightened, hungry families.. Dehydration/hunger/fear is a real danger when relief comes fast. Good warning to all of us.
Bravo ! Well done ! Thanks for your sitrep and your help for People.
Your story must be an exemple for others and the importance of resilient communications like Hams.
73 ! ON3MEE from Belgium
Thanks for the update. The way folks are looking out for each other is truly inspirational. Stay safe!
Dear Thomas,
After this emergency is over, you must write a book. In the meantime, know that prayers are being said for you, your family, and fellow volunteers.
I understand that Operation Blessing is in the area, and they may have some access to helicopters.