BUNCOMBE COUNTY — Small communities like Fairview in Buncombe County cut off by Hurricane Helene are finding hope and help through the all-volunteer group, Mennonite Disaster Services.
Rapid, rising water from Hurricane Helene wiped out a driveway, creating a cliff at Hazelton Place Farm and cutting off an entire community until some volunteers stepped in.
“The water was washing over the driveway,” said Jen Walker, barn manager.
“After the storm hit, we had a 50-foot stream with a 12-foot drop off on either side, so we were basically just cut off,” said Sherry Taylor, the farm owner.
Taylor was worried.
“It was something I’ve never lived through before, it was scary, there’s no point of reference,” said Taylor.
Walker was carrying water from the raging creek to the horses but couldn’t get them any feed.
“We were stranded for quite a few days,” said Walker.
About half a dozen neighbors and 13 horses were cut off because the water took out their driveway.
“It was scary, it was very scary, we had no power,” said Taylor.