Churches assist with the effort
Downtown Spruce Pine, N.C., was completely devastated during Hurricane Helene as businesses and houses experienced destructive flooding and high-powered winds. Roads, bridges and railroad tracks collapsed and remain destroyed.
Streets that were once bustling with shoppers and diners enjoying the amenities downtown has to offer, now are lined with closed businesses that suffered significant water damage. The water damage also destroyed nests so yellow jackets are abundant throughout Mitchell County. Residents describe the amount of yellow jackets as “unbelievable” as they dodge getting stung. There is no timeline for when businesses will open or when people will go back to work. Unanswered questions continue piling up and mud several inches high outlines where heavy floodwaters rose throughout the downtown areas.
The Mitchell News-Journal was one of many downtown businesses that was significantly damaged during the flooding.
On Friday, Oct. 4, people could be seen using equipment to clear the damaged goods from their businesses, which was piled at the storefronts. Some businesses had power restored, but water and communication systems remained out last week.
Renee Vessels, who manages some properties in the downtown area, told the Mitchell News-Journal Friday she watched the pedestrian bridge across from the Spruce Pine Inn collapse and become damaged during the storm.
“Chris,” a maintenance worker at a downtown business who chose not to have his last name published, said the aftermath of Hurricane Helene was unexpected. He described what happened and the damage that was caused as “crazy” while making first-aid kits with BAND-AIDs, flashlights, matches and other supplies for motel guests.
“We’re trying to do what we can,” he said about providing lodging to those in need.
He added that it was shocking to see certain landmarks destroyed by the storm as well.
Among much that was destroyed and underwater, miles of railroad tracks were damaged as well and crews worked to begin assessing the damage.
Although their businesses are closed, people are working hard to help their neighbors and distribute food and supplies.
Local Spruce Pine business L&L Furniture Company owners Walton and Kayla Shepherd decided they would help a community that has done so much for them.
“Our focus is the wellbeing of our community,” said Walton Shepherd of Spruce Pine, a city about 140 miles northeast of Clayton.
Shepherd said the family-owned business made sure that its employees and their families were okay after the hurricane and then shifted gears to help the community by becoming a place where people could gather needed supplies such as food, water, and hygiene products.
“Anything we can do to help,” Walton Shepherd said. “We are so blessed. They can take the business but they can’t take the people of Spruce Pine.”
Shepherd said they are focused right now on helping others rather than worrying about their business.
With damage reported in many areas, Shirley Singleton said two trees fell on her home but she was there to distribute items to those in need.
“The community has rallied,” Singleton said about the neighborly attitude.
Local churches work together
Dr. Rocky Branch is the pastor at Spruce Pine First Baptist Church which is serving as a hub where people in the community can gather needed supplies, shower and eat hot meals.
“We feed the community here,” Branch told the Mitchell News-Journal last Friday. “[We] average 1,000 meals a day if not more.”
Branch said Ingles donated its shopping carts to help community members gather their supplies. He said people who visit the church can grab a grocery cart and travel through the sanctuary where supplies are divided up in the church pews. Once groceries have been gathered, shoppers can travel down a ramp where equipment and people are available to help load supplies.
“It’s very humbling,” Branch said about being able to help the community as Jesus calls us to help those in need. “We’re making it.”
Branch said Ingles was able to donate the carts because the business is closed due to significant water damage. The timeline for opening back up is still unknown.
The plan is for the church to operate in that capacity for about one month, Branch said.
But church services won’t be missed and Sunday morning services will be conducted outside on the front lawn at 11 a.m. and a meal will be served.
The church’s website has more information on resources offered during the relief efforts. Visit https://www.sprucepinefbc.com/ to support the Spruce Pine First Baptist Church Relief.
“Prayer should be the first resource not the last resort and everything in between,” according to a message posted on their website.
The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina Disaster Relief was stationed at Spruce Pine First Baptist Church on Friday to help provide showers as well as usage of washer and dryer facilities, among many other helpful resources.
Joe Moore with Disaster Relief said the organization travels to different areas to help with disasters.
“It’s a mess,” Moore said of the devastating aftermath Hurricane Helene caused.
“These communities have come together during all this trouble,” Moore said of Mitchell County. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Branch said Disaster Relief ranks disasters up to 7 and that Mitchell County was rated with a 7-plus status.
“God works miracles,” Moore said. “This has brought a lot of people together, especially families. Sometimes it takes something like this to bring people together again.”
Central Baptist Church with Pastor Jody Griffin is located in downtown Spruce Pine and opened its doors to work with Spruce Pine First Baptist Church to distribute supplies to the community.
Church member Deborah Owings who works at an elementary school said the timeline of when schools will open back up is unknown also.
Community member “Crista,” who chose not to have her last name published, is all too familiar with the unknown after her daughter was in a crash on Highway 19 E. Crista said her daughter was taken to a local hospital but then airlifted to another facility.
Because communication is not available, Crista had to wait several hours before finding out where her daughter was located. They finally were reunited.
“That’s been the biggest impact, I think. It’s unknown,” Owings said.
Owings said she has seen devastation before, but never thought something like this could happen here.
“I was not expecting the wind,” 50-year Spruce Pine resident Roger Burleson told the newspaper. Burleson said he had never seen anything like the devastation in Spruce Pine.
Roads, bridges and businesses might have gotten destroyed, but the Spruce Pine community has not let the storm damage their spirits as they assess the damage and work to rebuild while helping one another and helping others by the grace of God.