Mitchell County Schools

Hurricane Helene: This Is Our Story Story Submitted by Wendy Holloway, Music Teacher at Mitchell Elementary/Middle School My most cherished memories from living through Helene are those of saying “Hello.” When the worst of the storm hit Friday morning, I moved the couch to the middle of our living room, away from windows. My daughter and I waited out the storm there, praying and watching downloaded cartoons to keep her calm. Every little bit, we heard trees snap and saw them fall behind the house, brushing the windows, but none caused damage. When the storm calmed, I wasn’t sure what to do. Communication was down, and all I knew was what had happened at home: trees and power poles snapped, power lines lay beside the house, and every surface was covered with leaves and branches. When I ventured outside, the silence struck me. Living beside the highway, there’s always noise, but now there was none—no vehicles, phone calls, or voices. I didn’t know if I could reach my family or if they were even safe. We waited and stayed busy cleaning and playing to keep from worrying. Finally, we heard cars and ATVs. Around 4 PM, my dad and niece arrived. Seeing them brought immense relief and joy. My dad said, “It’s bad,” but words failed to describe the aftermath. Following him to their house, I was almost speechless at the destruction. So many trees were down that a four-mile trip took ages. An entire grove of trees was obliterated, snapped like toothpicks. The path was barely one lane, sometimes switching sides of the road. I held my breath, hoping my car would fit through the narrow openings. Most bridges to homes were gone, though the one we needed was miraculously intact. At my parents’ house, we had an emotional reunion with my mom and grandma, who had no idea if we were coming. I later learned my dad rescued my grandma during the eye of the storm. The calm didn’t last, and trees began falling again as he worked to clear the road. He even had to drive over a fallen tree to escape. I’m amazed and beyond thankful the Lord protected him, allowing me to hug him again. Neighbors and family gathered, relieved to find each other safe. But we hadn’t heard from my husband, a DOT worker. Before communications went down, he’d told me they were ordered back to the shop until the storm passed. I left a note on our door saying where we’d gone. It was after 10 PM when he arrived. His crew had worked nonstop cutting paths through fallen trees to help families reconnect. When he came in, we hugged and cried, so thankful to be together again. Over the next few days, more reunions happened on my parents’ porch: my sister, nephew, sister-in-law, and others brought good reports. Friends traveling to Tennessee for cell service stopped by, and more family members came just to check in. As we ventured out, familiar faces were everywhere: folks at the laundromat in Tennessee, friends at the community center, everyone at church accounted for, and students I teach in all those places. Each meeting brought joy, thankfulness, and the words, “I’m glad you’re okay.” The devastation is everywhere: mountainsides of trees blown down, bridges and homes carried away by water, a landscape forever changed. It’s hard to believe such a storm hit our mountains, far from typical hurricane paths. The destruction is heartbreaking, but it reminds me of two truths: God is Almighty. He spoke this world into existence and controls every blade of grass. God is merciful beyond comprehension. Despite stories of tragedy and loss, it’s a miracle to say “Hello” to so many people in my life.

7 months ago, Shana Cook

We are aware that snow falling in parts of our county this morning. We are continuing on our one hour delay schedule as roads are clear and snow is predicted to end soon.