Post Helene

As I write this blog post, Upstate South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia are slowly but surely making their way through the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.  One does not ever think how in the world can a hurricane that hits the Panhandle of Florida affect us inland, especially in Appalachia!

Well, Helene surely left a huge calling card with much damage, if not devastation in her wake.

My hometown of Greenville, SC and the surrounding upstate area is gradually getting power back, and our Bon Secours Center (Greenville’s arena) has sat up emergency services for food and shelter as well as medical services.   Several restaurants are giving out food and gyms are opening up facilities for showers and Wi-Fi while first responders of all kinds are working around the clock.

Our western North Carolina neighbors have not been so fortunate.  There has been extensive flooding there that has caused major highways and roads to be impassable.  Some small towns have been all but swept away and people are running short of food and water.  It’s going to be a long recovery. 

Our house has no damage, just a lot of trees down in our neighborhood.  Power is still out.   I feel most thankful and blessed that my family is safe and friends that I have heard from are safe.  Thoughts and prayers go out to our whole region as we all band together to restore our communities.   

You saw this small quilt featured on my home page.  Update after Helene.  Much damage was done to Pretty Place in South Carolina, the roof is gone, it is quite a mess, and the repairs will take a while to begin.  But the Cross is still standing strong.