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One week ago things quickly changed when flood waters raced through Carter County and Elizabethton and areas nearby. Helene will be a name we won’t readily forget. It was the hurricane named Helene that quickly altered our landscape, left some people homeless, caused us to either wring our hands or pray. But, the one good thing it did, it brought people together.

Friends, neighbors and strangers came together to help one another. Places of support have been set up all through Carter County. At some places, you can get a hot meal and shelter. Others have water, food, and cleaning supplies. 

A quote on Facebook this week noted that “Life isn’t merely about waiting for the storm to dissipate. It’s about mastering the art of dancing in the rain.”

Many people in the county are still without water, phone service, and electricity. Students at Hampton High have been left without a school, and no doubt they wonder not only when they will go back to school, but where they will finish the school year at. The needs are great – non-perishable food, over the counter medications, water, cell phones, chargers, flashlights, batteries, hearing aid batteries, clothing, such as socks and underwear, canned food, powdered milk, bread, peanut butter and jelly, cleaning supplies, and much more.

But, needed most are volunteers to clean flooded areas, load and unload supplies and drive them to hard-hit areas of the county such as Elk Mills, Little Milligan, Roan Mountain and other places.

The support in this community has been tremendous, as well as the giving. The Elizabethton City Schools will provide meals this week for students and their families. Carter County School Nutrition Service will provide a hot meal drive-thru for anyone in need Monday through Friday of this week from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Happy Valley Elementary School. Meals will also be available at Hunter School from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

So many businesses, churches, and individuals have stepped up to help. We are a giving community, a people with hands that serve and give, and hearts of compassion. It is not a time to become disgruntled about what we do not have, but be thankful for what we have.

Many have lost their homes, but they are grateful.

This Tuesday, there will be a prayer service at 6 p.m. at the Carter County Courthouse. Not only will it be for government leaders, but for our community. As a spokesman said, “We have much more on our hearts and minds as our city and county and surrounding areas are in the midst of flood recovery efforts.” If you can come, do so, there is power in prayer.

So many have lost material things in this flood…homes, cars, clothing, etc. Some have lost all their material possessions. But, just as there has been loss, so many have given. They have given not only of their money and material possessions, but of their time. We are all blessed by their giving.

Hard times bring communities together, and for that we are grateful.

There’s nowhere I would rather live. This week I witnessed God’s grace by those who came to help clean a driveway of mud and water on Race St. So little compared to the needs of others. But what a blessing it was. I observed another resident on the street, going from home to home on the street with a rake and wheelbarrow cleaning debris from the yards.

Despite our losses we have so much to be thankful for. If you can give, do so. If you can help with clean-up efforts, do so. If you can volunteer to distribute food and supplies, do so. We are all in this together.

We have been blessed.

— Rozella Hardin, Editorial Director, and the STAR Staff