We Know What Works In Such Situations
Hurricane Helene in the Mountains
We in the Great Smoky Mountains have all experienced (and many still are very much experiencing) a unique disaster. The force of one of the largest hurricanes to hit the US in many decades coming inland and up through the Appalachian Mountains. The mountains are full of steep terrain, deep valleys, and large trees. When that environment meets a hurricane, the damage is almost beyond comprehension, over a very large area. Some communities no longer exist, others took various levels of damage, just about everywhere took some damage..
Now the long haul to sort it out and rebuild is under way and will be for quite a long time. While this disaster has been unique in its source and scale, it shares valuable lessons with almost all disasters. Because this will not be anyone’s last disaster, let’s take a moment to reflect on what helps.
Planning
Those communities and individual households that have always taken disaster planning seriously generally are doing better. Taking it seriously means having a detailed plan, including action, resources, and timelines, updating that plan regularly, and in the case of communities, exercising and testing those plans often and realistically.
Listening
Looking back, there was ample warning on multiple outlets about how bad this could be, but it seems most of us did not take it fully to heart. I have lost track of the number of times I have heard someone say they should have been more concerned, they could have prepared better. True for most of us and we have to take responsibility for that.
Communications
Hard to overstate how critical this factor is for all. Knowing where to get information, where to share it, and how to evaluate it is about as important as it gets. Regretfully, there is an ample dose of misinformation out there, for various motives. Still, most people figure out what is true and reliable over time.
The challenge for those in leadership positions is to establish early and frequent updates, even when there is not much to report new. People are naturally eager for estimates on when they will get electricity, water, internet, etc. Smart leaders share whatever they know but do not share guesses as estimates. Give timelines when you have enough data to make a realistic estimate.
The First of Two Pieces of Really Good News
One of the things I looked for early on was how the community reacted to all this. Sometimes everything breaks down, with individual survival meeting the only meaningful motivation. I am delighted to report that is the very opposite of what we are experiencing. People have closed ranks far and wide, taking care of neighbors and strangers at almost every turn. The sense of “we are in this together” is at a level I have not seen anywhere.
In some ways, this should not be surprising, given the general ambiance of the greater Asheville community, but it really is remarkable. I have observed that people are striking up conversations everywhere, with anyone nearby. I have even noticed that people are smiling a lot, not just walking around with neutral expressions.
People are going out of their way to be courteous in lines and in stores, helping each other load cars, etc. There are, of course, the occasional angry person, the occasional case of looting, etc. but the quantity of such bad side stuff is miniscule. Remarkable. May we strive to keep is so long after this is over.
The Second of Two Pieces of Really Good News
The nation has stepped up in so many ways to help. The President has been here. The Vice President has been here (twice). The head of FEMA says she has effectively moved her HQ here and she is not leaving until we are on the road to recovery and stability. Thousands of soldiers, with the equipment we need are in the air and on the ground. Thousands of first responders and utility repair crews are here from all over the country, working like it was their hometown. We love them!
Many, many individuals just show up with things to share and readiness to work beside us. Awe inspiring to say the least. Overall, we feel supported and embraced. We shall not forget and await the opportunity to pay back in kind.
Closing Thoughts
This has been a terrible disaster, the effects of which will be long running. But it is also something of an opportunity. We have been reminded of what is important and what it means to be in community. Here is hoping we do a good job of capturing the good stuff and bottling it.
Oh Yeah, That Other Thing
Less we forget, we do still have a national election in just 28 days. Some of you have already voted, many of us will over the next two weeks. This natural disaster has brought home again how important this election is. I shudder to think what the disaster response, the sense of national connection, would have been under a Trump, Project 2025 government to this disaster.
We need every vote, every conversation, every dollar each of us can provide. Everything really is at stake in this one. Let’s bring it home, make some history, and do the right thing, America.
See you next week.
Bill Clontz
If you find this blog worthy of your time and curiosity, I invite you to do three things:
(1) Join the conversation. Your voice counts here. If you wish to share COMMENTS anonymously, make the last word in your comment “PRIVATE.” I will assure your privacy via anonymity.
(2) Share the word about this post with friends and colleagues. Share a link in your emails and social media posts (https://agentsofreason.com).
(3) You are welcome to share this post with anyone. It is easy to pass on via email, of course, but also on Facebook, LinkedIn, Reddit or other social media.
Let’s grow our circle.
Bill, another dynamic to this unprecedented storm was the storm intensified after making landfall in Florida. Fueled by warm temperatures and rising water vapor, the storm increased its water load as it advanced overland until it hit the Appalachian Mountains. This new storm pattern has been experienced in other parts of the world but only beginning here in the US. I shudder to think what Florida will experience if that storm dynamic holds true for Milton, although they do not have the mountains to cause the water to be released all out once down deeply descending mountain valleys.