roar through our town. 48 hrs of sheets of rain followed by howling wind for about 6 hrs, maybe more. Early on we lost all power, cell phone, water and internet. Very isolating and very scary. My husband was in South Carolina and couldn't get gas to get home. Could not talk to him at all. My children and siblings and friends were freaked. You just feel so powerless. Very truly if it hadn't been for an AM radio station here I just don't know what I would have done. They literally saved many lives as they were the only line of communication.
Slowly neighbors started to come out and we looked at the devastation. It wasn't that bad at my apartment complex but roads were closed for days because of downed trees and wires. No water, no food, no gas. Hours waiting in line at the grocery. But our complex did start coming together and grilling all the food that was going bad. I met so many people that were so kind and giving and willing to help. Blows you away.
Anyway one day I sat in a BBQ parking lot for hours trying to pay bills and call my kids because I could get 2 bars on my cell phone. ( there is a level of hell for those trying to pay bills on the phone) And a text came up from Sandra Stillwell!!! I know! She knew I lived in Asheville and wrote to see if I was ok! I was of course in tears. I had felt so alone and no way of talking to anyone. And here my old friend whom I have actually never met was checking on me. What a blessing. What a dear dear lady. Took me a few days to assure her that I was ok.
We got power back earlier this week and my phone still sucks on 2 bars. We will have to boil water for months I think. ( hint : rinse your hair with boiled water as the stuff coming out of the faucets will not go well) Tonight we got internet after 2 weeks and I could finally write to say hello and catch up on The Commissary. And watch the baseball playoffs. Helping to keep me sane were my dolls and fashions. Still love and need them and made sure I told them so. I feel like the lucky one as we had no real damage, I am able to volunteer at a food bank, I could pay my bills and bonus no small children to worry about. But so many have so many troubles and problems and will be in dire straights for a very long time. The stories are horrific. They must not be forgotten. If you read this far, thanks and hope this never happens to any of you. Keep an emergency box, get an AM radio with batteries and keep your car full of gas. XXOO